News on South Tyneside Highway Improvement Schemes

Following the formal consultation in January 2022, the feedback for the Moor Lane Area, Highways Improvements scheme was collated and analysed.

The formal consultation was undertaken between 7th January and 28th January 2022 for the proposed changes of speed limit in the area as well as the proposed road humps. This included consulting all directly affected residents via letter, information on the council’s website, social media platforms and legal notices in the local press and displayed on site.

The formal consultation resulted in the receipt of 65 responses in total. Of the 65 responses, 28 were objections to the proposed road humps and 5 of the objections were to the proposed traffic regulation orders (changes of speed limit).

Of the 28 objections to the road humps, 17 were only objecting to the proposed humps on Woodlands Road or West Meadows Road. Traffic speeds on Woodlands Road and West Meadows Road are currently just above the compliance level for a 20mph speed limit. The average speed of vehicles on Moor Lane is well above 24mph.

The 11 other objections to the proposed road humps did not state a specific location and therefore it is assumed the objection is to all the proposed humps. Reasons for the objections included;

• Increased air pollution

• Damage to vehicles

• Parking concerns / Access to driveways

• Increased Noise

• Visual impact of the humps

• Increase in traffic on Whitburn Road

Of the 5 objections to the Traffic Regulation Orders 4 of the objections were objecting to the overall concept of the scheme rather than the change of speed limit specifically, with reference to preferring the previous one-way proposal. One of the objections to the Traffic Regulation Orders was due to the impact on Air Quality by reducing vehicle speeds.

Any objections to the Traffic Regulation Orders for change of speed limit have been overturned by officers through the councils Delegated Decision process and the Traffic Regulation Orders are to be progressed. The objections were overturned on the grounds of road safety.

The proposed traffic calming measures on West Meadows Road and Woodlands Road are to be removed from the proposed scheme, due to the level of objection. As traffic speeds on Woodlands Road are 1mph higher than the desired levels for a 20mph zone, traffic speeds should be monitored after 6 months to determine whether the traffic calming is required. Should traffic speeds reduce to below 24mph, no further traffic calming will be considered. If speeds do not decrease, officers will re-consult on appropriate level of traffic calming measures.

Any objections to the proposed speed humps on Moor Lane have been overturned by officers through the councils Delegated Decision process. Traffic speeds are currently well above 24mph and therefore traffic calming is required to implement the reduction in speed limit to 20mph.

The junction narrowing at the junction of Whitburn Road and Woodlands Road is to be implemented as proposed.

Should you have any further queries regarding the enclosed information please contact the team by email: trafficandroadsafety@southtyneside.gov.uk