Feedback on previous engagement
A public engagement survey took place during June 2022, carried out by scheme designers ARUP and Sustrans, to understand the views of local residents in relation to the draft plan. This plan was circulated as part of a mailout that was sent to all residences within the Parsonage Road Safer Streets project area.
People could either respond via an online version of the survey or by returning a paper copy of the survey. Both the online and paper surveys were collected and analysed by an independent research company commissioned by the project team.
Postcodes were required to verify whether respondents live within or outside of the project area, as well as to help identify any duplicate responses.
Key Information
2,160 Households in the project area (Safer Streets area)
473 Total respondents
22%* Overall response rate
88% Respondents within the project area
5% Respondents outside the project area
7% Incomplete / no postcode provided (omitted from project area-based analysis)
Summary of survey responses
All interventions had substantially higher levels of ‘support’ than ‘oppose’, in most cases ‘support’ was around double that of ‘oppose’.
During the engagement process, a number of specific detailed issues were raised by residents, common themes are summarised below.
Feedback directly related to location of interventions
Vehicle access from Wilmslow Road (Purple Zone) – reconsider filter placement to allow the area to become more permeable to address the concerns of St Pauls Primary, which included the potential for congestion at pick-up/drop-off times and access for staff. This would also address the most common free text response, which was that the plans would create delay and access restriction to residents, visitors or emergency services.
Response: Potential design changes have been considered to understand the impact of making changes to the proposed filters in this area. Removal of the filter at Heaton Road / Parsonage Road would leave through routes open in that area. Replacing the diagonal filter and one way with a modal filter on Parsonage Road would create an east west route through the area. It is therefore felt that the changes would not result in the desired reduction in traffic speeds and volumes. The draft proposals are well supported, and any significant changes could result in losing some of the support gained to date. The trial would give the opportunity to see how the scheme performs.
General feedback
- Pedestrian environment – this needs to be improved generally (i.e. improve quality of pavements and reduce pavement parking, especially on Parsonage Road and Heaton Road)
Response:
the area is impacted by the implementation of the extended Christie parking scheme and will be monitored in terms of obstructive parking. Designs for permanent features will consider the need to limit obstructive parking. Maintenance of footways across the city is prioritised on a basis of those most in need of repair, while being funded from a limited budget. However, if the condition of any areas of footways within the project area are of concern, then the highways department will consider how improvements can be made.
- Traffic calming measures – these are needed in addition to modal filters to address vehicle speeds, in particular on Parsonage Road and Burlington Road/Brunswick Road
Response: the proposed network of filters should assist with reducing vehicle speeds, this will be monitored during the trial.
- Alternative measures to filters should be considered as well as filters
Response: The effectiveness of the filters will be monitored throughout the trial.
- Boundary roads – concern that the scheme would impact on these roads especially Wilmslow Road through the village.
Response: A system of monitoring to understand the impacts has been developed and will be monitored throughout the trial.
- Increase in traffic in the southern and eastern end - concern that the proposal would increase traffic on Cotton Ln/Heyscroft Rd and Hatherley Rd, could further measures/traffic calming be considered?
Response:
Data has been collected including traffic, pedestrian and cycle counts. This data has been used to understand levels of traffic that moves through the project area, and to understand how the proposals would impact this level. Also, it has been used to understand how that traffic may be moved out of the area and onto the surrounding roads. It showed that traffic would be redirected to the roads that sit on the edge of the project area, namely Alan Road, Wilmslow Road, Heyscroft Road and Cotton Lane. During the trial phase of the project, further data collection and analysis will be undertaken in order to understand the impacts and where consideration of further changes may be needed.
- Pocket parks – suggestions were made about incorporating pocket parking into locations along Wilmslow Road.
Response:
the funding for Parsonage Road Safer Streets, particularly when considering rising materials costs and soaring inflation, is limited and unfortunately does not stretch to include additional features like pocket parks
- Restriction to resident and emergency services – suggestions that the filters would create delay and restrictions to residents and emergency services.
Response: Delays to car journeys for residents have been minimised in the scheme design as much as possible through careful placement of modal filters. Delays to some car journeys are unavoidable with the use of modal filters, but doing so will unlock significant other benefits. Emergency services and refuse collection have been consulted on the scheme design and are working with the project team to ensure that as designs are developed, there are no negative impacts on their services
- Plans cause traffic congestion and pollution
Response: The overall objective of the scheme, and evidence from similar schemes is that traffic will reduce once the scheme has had time to bed in. As stated, traffic levels and flow will be closely monitored during the trial phase in order to identify if any further changes may be needed.
- Vehicle filters will not work or cause more issues
Response: Evidence from other similar schemes shows that the use of modal filters is highly effective at reducing traffic volumes and speeds to create safer and quieter streets for residents, while maintaining access for emergency services. Trialling the scheme is the key way to understand what and works.
Outcome of engagement
Having considered the feedback that was received along with the project objectives it has been decided that the proposed design as it currently stands will be trialled in order to test how well it works and to allow the community to experience its impact in real life.