Planning Department Ealing Council PO Box 14941 London W5 2YP ...
Planning Department Ealing Council PO Box 14941 London W5 2YP by email only to [email protected]
please reply to: 112 Salisbury Road London W13 9TT [email protected] 2 February 2015
Application PP/2014/5817 Land at junction of Leamington Park and A40 Western Avenue Proposed McDonald’s restaurant Following the officer’s report Ealing Cycling Campaign still objects to this application. The ground for our objection is that the proposed new exit from the A40 will present an additional hazard for cyclists using the cycle route along the south side of the A40 at this location, particularly in the downhill direction. Additionally and more importantly, it will prejudice the Mayor’s planned East-‐West Cycle Superhighway at this location, as shown on the attached plan. 1. The additional hazard to cyclists Cyclists proceeding westwards beside the A40 cross Leamington Park at a signal-‐controlled crossing, which releases cyclists at the same moment that the next platoon of westbound motor vehicles is released along the A40. The latter will include left turning vehicles entering the McDonalds site, so the potential for conflict is obvious. If the new access is allowed it will effectively create entirely new stop lines for cyclists, just at the point where westbound cyclists have gathered speed down the hill as they leave the Leamington Park crossing. Eastbound uphill cyclists who have been interrupted would lose momentum. At present relatively few cyclists use this route, but assuming the Cycle Superhighway proceeds, a significant number of longer distance cyclists who currently use the Uxbridge Road are likely to be diverted to this route. The new access will also pose a danger to them. The officer’s report acknowledges this danger and states that money will be set aside for safety measures. The report states that these may include a zebra crossing or signals. Unfortunately these are not shown in the current plans. We feel this is a serious omission. In this particular location safety measures cannot be easily retro-‐fitted. They are likely to involve significant changes to the layout of the pedestrian path, cycle tracks and access road. They may even require the removal of some parking spaces from the car park. GOOD FOR LONDON... GOOD FOR YOU!
Ealing Cycling Campaign is the local group of the London Cycling Campaign London Cycling Campaign Ltd is a company limited by guarantee Registered in England and Wales number 1766411 Registered address: 2 Newhams Row, London SE1 3UZ
For instance, the draft London Cycling Design Standards recommend that, at turnings, cycle tracks are: “… set back at least 5m from the carriageway. This allows one car to turn into the side road and have enough space to stop to give way to a cyclist on a hump before proceeding.” For safety, vehicles crossing the cycle tracks and pedestrian path should do so at right angles. This creates a 90 degree turn that helps slow vehicles exiting the highway. It also ensures that drivers have a direct view of cyclists and pedestrians. In the present layout drivers can see cyclists approaching from their left only if they use their near-‐side wing mirror or look over their shoulder. The National Planning Policy Framework (March 2012) section 35 says: “developments should be located and designed where practical to… create safe and secure layouts which minimise conflicts between traffic and cyclists". We do not feel this development meets this requirement. 2. Failure to facilitate the East-‐West Cycle Superhighway. In 2014 TfL consulted on an East-‐West Cycle Superhighway. The proposed route runs through this site. The results of the consultation indicated 74% support for this section of the route, with over 2,900 people supporting the proposal for a Cycle Superhighway alongside the A40. The London Plan (2011) Chapter 6.9 Planning Decisions states that: “Developments should… c) facilitate the Cycle Super Highways.” The addition of a slip-‐road into the drive-‐thru will reduce the width available for the Cycle Superhighway. Instead of two cycle tracks and a separate pedestrian pavement, there will be a single path that pedestrians and cyclists will have to share. For this long-‐distance, fast commuter route this is not a safe option. Design Overview Although the A40 is no longer a trunk road, the same design considerations apply. Highways Agency standard TD41/95 states: “1.8 It has been accepted for more than 50 years ever since the 1936 Restriction of Ribbon Development Act that if trunk roads are to perform satisfactorily as channels for longer distance traffic, the number of connections for vehicular access must be limited. Access traffic has three effects, it adds to the traffic on the trunk road, it slows other traffic, and it can give rise to accidents.” GOOD FOR LONDON... GOOD FOR YOU!
Ealing Cycling Campaign is the local group of the London Cycling Campaign London Cycling Campaign Ltd is a company limited by guarantee Registered in England and Wales number 1766411 Registered address: 2 Newhams Row, London SE1 3UZ
The correct way to provide access to and egress from this site is via Leamington Park, not the A40. Provided that a prominent McDonalds sign is placed in the southern corner of the site, including a clear arrow indicating that the entry point requires a left turn off the A40 at the signals, drivers should have no difficulty in understanding the layout. Because the left turn from the A40 into Leamington Park is a single lane that only flows when the Wales Farm Road approach is at red, there would be no problem of weaving traffic at a new entry point off Leamington Park. Additional Observation The present track has proved unpopular largely due to its close proximity to fast-‐moving traffic, noise, and pollution. The original aim at this site -‐ and others along the A40 where homes were knocked down -‐ was to develop a green corridor. Instead of running the cycle track next to the road, the expectation was that it would be set away from the highway, and separated from it by a raised bank and vegetation. This idea is completely absent from the current plans. Yours sincerely,
Martin Gorst
GOOD FOR LONDON... GOOD FOR YOU!
Ealing Cycling Campaign is the local group of the London Cycling Campaign London Cycling Campaign Ltd is a company limited by guarantee Registered in England and Wales number 1766411 Registered address: 2 Newhams Row, London SE1 3UZ
GOOD FOR LONDON... GOOD FOR YOU!
Ealing Cycling Campaign is the local group of the London Cycling Campaign London Cycling Campaign Ltd is a company limited by guarantee Registered in England and Wales number 1766411 Registered address: 2 Newhams Row, London SE1 3UZ
please reply to: 112 Salisbury Road London W13 9TT [email protected] 2 February 2015
Application PP/2014/5817 Land at junction of Leamington Park and A40 Western Avenue Proposed McDonald’s restaurant Following the officer’s report Ealing Cycling Campaign still objects to this application. The ground for our objection is that the proposed new exit from the A40 will present an additional hazard for cyclists using the cycle route along the south side of the A40 at this location, particularly in the downhill direction. Additionally and more importantly, it will prejudice the Mayor’s planned East-‐West Cycle Superhighway at this location, as shown on the attached plan. 1. The additional hazard to cyclists Cyclists proceeding westwards beside the A40 cross Leamington Park at a signal-‐controlled crossing, which releases cyclists at the same moment that the next platoon of westbound motor vehicles is released along the A40. The latter will include left turning vehicles entering the McDonalds site, so the potential for conflict is obvious. If the new access is allowed it will effectively create entirely new stop lines for cyclists, just at the point where westbound cyclists have gathered speed down the hill as they leave the Leamington Park crossing. Eastbound uphill cyclists who have been interrupted would lose momentum. At present relatively few cyclists use this route, but assuming the Cycle Superhighway proceeds, a significant number of longer distance cyclists who currently use the Uxbridge Road are likely to be diverted to this route. The new access will also pose a danger to them. The officer’s report acknowledges this danger and states that money will be set aside for safety measures. The report states that these may include a zebra crossing or signals. Unfortunately these are not shown in the current plans. We feel this is a serious omission. In this particular location safety measures cannot be easily retro-‐fitted. They are likely to involve significant changes to the layout of the pedestrian path, cycle tracks and access road. They may even require the removal of some parking spaces from the car park. GOOD FOR LONDON... GOOD FOR YOU!
Ealing Cycling Campaign is the local group of the London Cycling Campaign London Cycling Campaign Ltd is a company limited by guarantee Registered in England and Wales number 1766411 Registered address: 2 Newhams Row, London SE1 3UZ
For instance, the draft London Cycling Design Standards recommend that, at turnings, cycle tracks are: “… set back at least 5m from the carriageway. This allows one car to turn into the side road and have enough space to stop to give way to a cyclist on a hump before proceeding.” For safety, vehicles crossing the cycle tracks and pedestrian path should do so at right angles. This creates a 90 degree turn that helps slow vehicles exiting the highway. It also ensures that drivers have a direct view of cyclists and pedestrians. In the present layout drivers can see cyclists approaching from their left only if they use their near-‐side wing mirror or look over their shoulder. The National Planning Policy Framework (March 2012) section 35 says: “developments should be located and designed where practical to… create safe and secure layouts which minimise conflicts between traffic and cyclists". We do not feel this development meets this requirement. 2. Failure to facilitate the East-‐West Cycle Superhighway. In 2014 TfL consulted on an East-‐West Cycle Superhighway. The proposed route runs through this site. The results of the consultation indicated 74% support for this section of the route, with over 2,900 people supporting the proposal for a Cycle Superhighway alongside the A40. The London Plan (2011) Chapter 6.9 Planning Decisions states that: “Developments should… c) facilitate the Cycle Super Highways.” The addition of a slip-‐road into the drive-‐thru will reduce the width available for the Cycle Superhighway. Instead of two cycle tracks and a separate pedestrian pavement, there will be a single path that pedestrians and cyclists will have to share. For this long-‐distance, fast commuter route this is not a safe option. Design Overview Although the A40 is no longer a trunk road, the same design considerations apply. Highways Agency standard TD41/95 states: “1.8 It has been accepted for more than 50 years ever since the 1936 Restriction of Ribbon Development Act that if trunk roads are to perform satisfactorily as channels for longer distance traffic, the number of connections for vehicular access must be limited. Access traffic has three effects, it adds to the traffic on the trunk road, it slows other traffic, and it can give rise to accidents.” GOOD FOR LONDON... GOOD FOR YOU!
Ealing Cycling Campaign is the local group of the London Cycling Campaign London Cycling Campaign Ltd is a company limited by guarantee Registered in England and Wales number 1766411 Registered address: 2 Newhams Row, London SE1 3UZ
The correct way to provide access to and egress from this site is via Leamington Park, not the A40. Provided that a prominent McDonalds sign is placed in the southern corner of the site, including a clear arrow indicating that the entry point requires a left turn off the A40 at the signals, drivers should have no difficulty in understanding the layout. Because the left turn from the A40 into Leamington Park is a single lane that only flows when the Wales Farm Road approach is at red, there would be no problem of weaving traffic at a new entry point off Leamington Park. Additional Observation The present track has proved unpopular largely due to its close proximity to fast-‐moving traffic, noise, and pollution. The original aim at this site -‐ and others along the A40 where homes were knocked down -‐ was to develop a green corridor. Instead of running the cycle track next to the road, the expectation was that it would be set away from the highway, and separated from it by a raised bank and vegetation. This idea is completely absent from the current plans. Yours sincerely,
Martin Gorst
GOOD FOR LONDON... GOOD FOR YOU!
Ealing Cycling Campaign is the local group of the London Cycling Campaign London Cycling Campaign Ltd is a company limited by guarantee Registered in England and Wales number 1766411 Registered address: 2 Newhams Row, London SE1 3UZ
GOOD FOR LONDON... GOOD FOR YOU!
Ealing Cycling Campaign is the local group of the London Cycling Campaign London Cycling Campaign Ltd is a company limited by guarantee Registered in England and Wales number 1766411 Registered address: 2 Newhams Row, London SE1 3UZ
