TRANSPORT AND TECHNICAL SERVICES
Changes to the traffic signals phasing at the junction of Rouge Bouillon with Midvale Road, St Helier
Purpose of the report
To gain the Minister’s endorsement for a change to the traffic signal phasing at the junction of Rouge Bouillon with Midvale Road, St Helier
Background
Following an Environment and Public Services Committee decision on 23 September 2004 the traffic signals at the junction of Rouge Bouillon with Midvale Road were re-configured on 18 May 2005 to provide a controlled pedestrian crossing across Rouge Bouillon.
Discussion
The crossing “green man” appears at the same time as the green signals for Midvale Road and Upper Midvale Road appear. To enable pedestrians to cross safely, the left turn from Upper Midvale Road and the right turn from Midvale Road into Rouge Bouillon is prohibited, by amendment to the Road Traffic (St Helier) Jersey Order. The prohibited turns are very clearly signed on the approaches to the junction. Motorists approaching along Midvale Road pass eight traffic signs and a road marking before they reach Rouge Bouillon. Motorists approaching from Upper Midvale Road pass three traffic signs and a road marking.
During the two years and seven months since the crossing was introduced, the Department has received occasional but regular complaints (approximately one complaint per month) about motorists ignoring the prohibited turns and driving over the crossing when the green man is displayed. Although no accidents have been attributed to these illegal moves, a small number of pedestrians have had to yield to an errant motorist, occasionally accompanied by altercations between road users.
On Monday 07 January 2008 the junction of Midvale Road with Val Plaisant was closed for a period of seven weeks to all traffic to enable utility company works to take place. During the following three weeks the number of complaints about motorists making illegal turns at the junction of Rouge Bouillon with Midvale Road has increased significantly. Surveys were immediately carried out to verify the complaints. The survey results are shown in the Appendix attached to this report. An additional and much larger “no right turn” sign was erected in Midvale Road on 14 January, but violations of the law continue to take place.
Therefore, due to the evident danger to pedestrians a decision has been made to re-configure the traffic signals to enable all traffic to be stopped while the pedestrian crossing is active.
It is considered that the closure of the junction at the south end of Midvale Road has served to highlight an inherently unsatisfactory situation where, on regular occasions since May 2005, a small number of motorists have made an illegal turn into Rouge Bouillon. The re-configuration, which will be introduced as soon as the required hardware arrives in the island, is therefore proposed to be permanent.
The effect on road traffic will be to reduce the capacity of this busy ring road junction, which the existing figuration was designed to avoid. However the evident risk to pedestrians using the crossing leaves no alternative. With careful implementation of signal timings the reduction in traffic capacity will be minimised. Such is the degree of traffic congestion at peak hours (07.30 – 09.00 and 15.15 – 18.00) due to other capacity restraints in the area that the effect of the re-configuration on through-traffic flow should only be noticed at off-peak hours.
The States Police have added their support to the proposal.
Upon implementation of the changes, the two prohibited turns at the junction will be re-enabled by amendment to the Road Traffic (St Helier) Order.
Costs
The re-configuration can be carried out for £800.
Recommendation
The Minister is recommended to endorse his Engineer’s decision to re-configure the traffic signals at the junction of Rouge Bouillon with Midvale Road
Reason for Decision
To reduce the risk of an accident to pedestrians using the controlled crossing on Rouge Bouillon at the junction with Midvale Road
Action required
The Minister to endorse his Engineer’s course of action.
Article 68 (Road Traffic Law) Notice, to amend St Helier Traffic Order, to be inserted in the Jersey Gazette during the week before the change is made.
Written by: | B Baudains Manager of Traffic and Streetworks |
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Approved by: | Chris Sampson Director of Municipal Services |
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APPENDIX
Results of survey of illegal turns at the junction of Rouge Bouillon with Midvale Road, St Helier
14.00 - 15.00 17/01/08 1 vehicle turned right from Midvale Road.
08.00 - 09.00 16/01/08 6 vehicles turned right from Midvale Road, 3 turned left from Upper Midvale Road
10.00 - 11.00 16/01/08 2 vehicles turned right from Midvale Road.
13.00 - 14.00 16/01/08 8 vehicles turned right from Midvale Road.
14.45 - 16.15 15/01/08 6 vehicles turned right from Midvale Road, 1 turned left from Upper Midvale Road
14.50 - 16.00 14/01/08 11 vehicles turned right from Midvale Road, 2 turned left from Upper Midvale Road
4 were apprehended by a WPC.
07.45 - 09.00 11/01/08 7 vehicles turned right from Midvale Road, 4 turned left from Upper Midvale Road
12.00 - 13.00 10/01/08 2 vehicles turned right from Midvale Road, one turned left from Upper Midvale Road
15.00 - 16.00 10/01/08 4 vehicles turned right from Midvale Road, 3 turned left from Upper Midvale Road
08.05 - 08.35 10/01/08 4 vehicles turned right
15.20 - 16.20 09/01/08 9 vehicles turned right - one was apprehended by a passing police officer
15.20 - 16.10 08/01/08 One vehicle turned right from Midvale Road
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