Scrutiny Panel

Traffic Calming

This review took place between July 2002 and March 2003 and was carried out by 6 Members and an external representative.

This Scrutiny Panel was set up following concerns about the installation of traffic humps on major roads and a request for the information and criteria used to justify the use of road humps on major routes through the borough.

The Panel carried out a comprehensive work programme addressing criteria and process; impact and effectiveness of different traffic calming measures, including site visits and consultation with neighbouring boroughs, the local Access group (representatives from different voluntary groups for disabled people), emergency services, the Freight Transport Association, Transport for London, our Road Safety Officer and borough residents.

The Panel's recommendations covered:

Consultation and communication - To improve consultation and communication with residents regarding traffic calming schemes
The effect of current measures - To take the first opportunity to review the effect of current measures on passenger comfort, vehicles and maintenance costs and if necessary replace with alternative measures, within the budgets available
Data analysis - How the data analysed does not always give a true reflection of the 'weight' or priority of an area for traffic calming measures
Construction - To improve monitoring of contracts to make sure traffic calming measures are installed consistently and to the correct specification
Education - Safe driving and using traffic calming measures appropriately
Visibility and signs - Traffic calming measures should be easier to see

Traffic Calming Scrutiny Report PDF 156K