Agenda item

Consideration was given to a report presented by the Transportation and Highways Projects Manager concerning the proposal to improve bus journey time reliability and reduce delays to traffic on the A633 Rotherham Road between the Rotherham town centre and Parkgate. The proposals would include:-

(i) the introduction of a bus and cycle only lane on the south bound carriageway of the A633 Rotherham Road, between Taylor’s Lane and Stadium Way, as shown on drawing No 126/17/TT299 submitted;

(ii) alterations in Parkgate to the A633 Broad Street junction with Greasbrough Road, to allow further ‘green’ time to be allocated to the main A633 traffic flows; this proposal will reduce queuing traffic and buses on the A633, leading to more reliable journey times for buses and general traffic; should it be considered that these changes do not provide the expected journey time improvements, it is proposed to develop a wider traffic management scheme in Parkgate, which would include:-

- installation of a Toucan Crossing on the A633 Broad Street, near to its junction with Greasbrough Road, to replace the current crossing facility;

- Greasbrough Road to become one-way only, west bound between Broad Street and Bear Tree Road;

- School Road to be reopened at its junction with Greasbrough Road, to provide an alternative route to the A633 south bound and to the Rotherham town centre via Taylors Lane/Mangham Road;

- School Road will also include a one-way plug, to prevent north bound traffic using Westfield Road as a short cut the A633 Rawmarsh Hill and incorporate a contra-flow cycle lane on the shared use footway;

- Westfield Road residents will be consulted about a one-way plug near to its junction with Rawmarsh Hill, to deter south bound traffic from using Westfield Road as an alternative to the A633;

however, whilst it is recommended that the Traffic Regulation Orders are promoted, this aspect would only be considered if the traffic signal alterations are considered to be insufficient.

(iii) it is also proposed to:-

- install a Toucan Crossing on Taylors Lane near the A633 Broad Street roundabout, subject to full analysis;

- on Greasbrough Road, establish a loading bay/disabled parking bay adjacent to the DIY shop and a loading bay outside the Public House.

(these proposals are shown on drawing number 126/17/TT255 submitted);

(iv) kerb-line alterations are to be made to the St Ann’s roundabout, enabling buses to undertake the left turn from the A630 Centenary Way into the A633 St Ann’s Road (north) without over-running the nearside kerb or taking this turn much wider than required.

Members noted that a significant amount of funding for these proposals will be allocated from the South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive, using the Local Sustainable Transport Fund 2014/15. However, some additional funding would be required during the 2015/2016 financial year.

Resolved:- (1) That the report be received and its contents noted.

(2) That the principle of a bus and cycle only lane being installed on the A633 Rotherham Road, between the Rotherham town centre and Parkgate, as detailed in the report now submitted, be approved.

(3) That the statutory public consultations and detailed design associated with the proposed bus priority measures, as described at (2) above, be undertaken and, subject to there being no objections raised, the scheme be implemented.

(4) That further discussions take place with the South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive about the funding of the A633 Rotherham Road bus and cycle only lane, in order to identify the necessary funding for the above proposals from 1st April 2015.