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From 31 May 2022, local highway authorities in England outside of London have been able to apply to the Secretary of State for new powers to enforce 'moving traffic offences'.
Moving traffic offences include:
Currently enforcement of moving traffic offences can only be carried out by the police under criminal law and a penalty notice issued. However, the Department for Transport (DfT) announced in 2020 that they would be fully implementing the remaining elements of the Traffic Management Act 2004 - Part 6 Civil enforcement of traffic contraventions. This allows local highway authorities, in this case West Berkshire Council, to undertake enforcement, as the offences have been decriminalised and can be treated as civil contraventions. Local highway authorities will be able to issue Penalty Charge Notices (PCN), more commonly known as fines, to motorists.
West Berkshire Council will be applying for the new powers to expand the work we already do to improve road safety and tackle congestion.
How do West Berkshire Council plan to use the enforcement powers?
At first, we plan to use the powers wherever a School Streets Scheme has been implemented. As part of the feedback from our pilot scheme at the Calcot Schools at Royal Avenue/Curtis Road and Gatcombe Close, it was identified that although the majority of road users abide by the restrictions, there is a small but significant number of people that do not. This creates a risk for those that continue to support and participate in active travel.
Thames Valley Police support the principles of the School Street Scheme, and were able to provide enforcement for the launch and early stages of the pilot; however, it is not realistic to expect a continued Police presence to deter potential offences. The new powers will help us enforce the restriction, and keep children and families safe. We will install traffic cameras to monitor, and issue PCN's to those entering the restricted areas during the key school drop-off and pick-up times.
Why we want your views
We'd like to know your views on the new powers, and whether you have any alternative ideas or suggestions on how to improve road safety, particularly around schools, and reduce congestion.
How to take part
If you'd like to comment on our proposal, you can do so by email to Activetravel@westberks.gov.uk or by letter to School Streets - Part 6 Powers, Traffic and Road Safety Team, Environment Department, Council Offices, Market Street, Newbury, RG14 5LD. Please note that an anonymised summary of the consultation may be published.
The consultation is open until midnight on Tuesday, 20 September 2022.
If you have any questions, please contact Activetravel@westberks.gov.uk
What you told us
An informal consultation was held between 28 January and 18 February 2021 in order to gauge the level of local support for the project. Following a positive response, the details of the scheme were developed. The scheme was launched on 2 September 2021, and a statutory consultation began, inviting comments on and objections to the restriction.
The key messages were:
No formal (statutory) objections to the restriction continuing in force have been received.
The Head and Governors of Calcot Junior and Infant Schools would like the scheme to be made permanent.
The majority of respondents agreed with the objective of encouraging Active Travel to school and restricting access to Royal Avenue.
Several respondents said that they felt safer walking or cycling as a result of the restriction.
Thames Valley Police have stated that whilst they support the principles of the scheme and were able to provide enforcement support to assist with its launch and early days of operation, it would not be realistic to expect ongoing enforcement action.
The issue of ensuring and promoting compliance with the restriction was raised by a wide cross section of respondents, with many observing that a small but significant minority of road users are not abiding by the restriction.
You can read the full report online.
What we did
It was approved by Individual Executive Member Decision on Thursday, 26 May 2022 that the traffic restrictions imposed for the School Streets Pilot Project at the Calcot Infant and Junior Schools be made permanent, but that more enforcement was required. Feedback on the design is open for consultation until 30 September 2022
It's been nearly six months since the introduction of the school streets initiative and its time for the initiates first review. There has been some amazing improvements to the numbers of walking and cycling in the area - it has been a huge learning curve and some great suggestions been put forward to make further improvements.
Calcot overview map and charts.pdf
overview Calcot speed&volume.pdf
Don't miss your chance to have your say before the Friday 4th March 2022
School Streets – Keeping your school community safe
The School Streets scheme has been running at Calcot School since September 2021 and has proved successful with just a small number of vehicles ignoring the Safe Streets Car Free Zone.
On Tuesday 11 January 2022, Council Road Safety Officers visited the school where they observed eight vehicles entering the Car Free Zone between 8.15am and 9.15am without a permit.
The registration numbers of these vehicles have now been forwarded to the police who will make contact with the owners to remind them of the rules. If a driver is found to be repeatedly ignoring the restrictions they will receive a £50 fine from Thames Valley Police.
Community School Streets is a tried and tested scheme to remove vehicles from school streets to create a safer and cleaner environment with less air pollution and congestion. For more information visit: http://schoolstreets.org.uk/
If you’d like to become a volunteer and support our work please contact us via email activetravel@westberks.gov.uk
Thanks to everyone who participated in the consultation on School Streets - your feedback is summarised in the School Streets report
T_School Streets report A4_21.pdf
The scheme will be installed in time for the start of the new term in September - you will be able to continue to feedback and report how the scheme is working for you on the ground. Your feedback is important and will help shape the scheme going forward so please have your say!
Thanks to everyone who participated in the consultation on School Streets - your feedback is summarised in the School Streets report
T_School Streets report A4_21.pdf
The scheme will be installed in time for the start of the new term in September - you will be able to continue to feedback and report how the scheme is working for you on the ground. Your feedback is important and will help shape the scheme going forward so please have your say!
Thanks to everyone who participated in the consultation on School Streets - your feedback is summarised in the School Streets report
T_School Streets report A4_21.pdf
The scheme will be installed in time for the start of the new term in September - you will be able to continue to feedback and report how the scheme is working for you on the ground. Your feedback is important and will help shape the scheme going forward so please have your say!
We are pleased to announce that the Local Walking and Cycling Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) has now been approved by West Berkshire Council, and the text of our news announcement about this is copied below for your information.
Thank you to all those who took the time to comment – your local knowledge has been a valuable addition to help us enhance the draft plan.
There were 712 visitors to the LCWIP consultation webpage and we received 132 responses. Of these contributions, 56% of the respondents were in favour of the plan, 30% were negative and 14%, neutral. The most frequent feedback was that the draft plan had an urban focus with little or no infrastructure planned for rural areas. The reason for this, as mentioned in the draft plan’s report, was that the LCWIP technical guidance from central Government advised on focussing on areas where the propensity to walk and cycle was likely to be higher. However the consultation feedback received will help us make the case for future funding applications to address rural areas in future iterations of the LCWIP.
Further to the specific feedback received we made several changes to the LCWIP network plan and report. Amongst these changes, the most significant were:
• amendments to the primary cycle network to include Northbrook Street and Old Bath Road
• inclusion of more references to equestrian access and provision for disability access, e-bikes / e-cargo bikes
• better integration with West Berkshire’s Rights of Way Improvement Plan (currently out to consultation)
These changes have been reflected in the revised document which can be found on the pdf link at the bottom right hand corner of the LCWIP consultation webpage.
_______________________________________________
NEWS ANNOUNCEMENT
West Berkshire Council approves long term Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan
West Berkshire Council has approved the Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) which will provide a long term, strategic approach to identifying cycling and walking improvements for the district. The plan covers Newbury and Thatcham as well as incorporating the LCWIP established for the eastern area settlements including Calcot, Pangbourne, Purley-on-Thames, and Theale.
The Council wants to improve facilities and opportunities for active travel and increase the amount of people walking and cycling as part of their daily routine. The LCWIP provides a framework for future investment in active travel infrastructure. The plan's adoption will help secure a long-term commitment to resources required for the proposed walking and cycling network over a ten year period.
The LCWIP is the result of two consultations which took place in Newbury and Thatcham (from February 2021 to April 2021) and also the Eastern Area of the District (completed in partnership with Reading Borough Council and Wokingham Council between May 2020 and August 2020).
Following the consultations, the council established that a strategic approach needs to be adopted in order to improve conditions for cycling and walking. The LCWIP helps West Berkshire Council to:
Cllr Richard Somner, Executive Member for Planning, Transport and Countryside, said:
"West Berkshire Council is totally committed to providing better cycling and walking conditions for its residents and the Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan is a very important step towards reaching that goal. This is a long term project and we want to ensure that we have taken all the necessary measures to ensure the successful delivery of the walking and cycling network."
The LCWIP has been approved by Cllr Richard Somner and will be part of the West Berkshire Council transport policy. The adoption of the LCWIP will help the council to develop an economic case for investment. The next steps will involve undertaking feasibility studies for the routes, preparing detailed designs and costings, managing scheme delivery, and monitoring and evaluating performance of schemes after implementation.
We are pleased to announce that the Local Walking and Cycling Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) has now been approved by West Berkshire Council, and the text of our news announcement about this is copied below for your information.
Thank you to all those who took the time to comment – your local knowledge has been a valuable addition to help us enhance the draft plan.
There were 712 visitors to the LCWIP consultation webpage and we received 132 responses. Of these contributions, 56% of the respondents were in favour of the plan, 30% were negative and 14%, neutral. The most frequent feedback was that the draft plan had an urban focus with little or no infrastructure planned for rural areas. The reason for this, as mentioned in the draft plan’s report, was that the LCWIP technical guidance from central Government advised on focussing on areas where the propensity to walk and cycle was likely to be higher. However the consultation feedback received will help us make the case for future funding applications to address rural areas in future iterations of the LCWIP.
Further to the specific feedback received we made several changes to the LCWIP network plan and report. Amongst these changes, the most significant were:
• amendments to the primary cycle network to include Northbrook Street and Old Bath Road
• inclusion of more references to equestrian access and provision for disability access, e-bikes / e-cargo bikes
• better integration with West Berkshire’s Rights of Way Improvement Plan (currently out to consultation)
These changes have been reflected in the revised document which can be found on the pdf link at the bottom right hand corner of the LCWIP consultation webpage.
_________________________________
NEWS ANNOUNCEMENT
West Berkshire Council approves long term Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan
West Berkshire Council has approved the Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) which will provide a long term, strategic approach to identifying cycling and walking improvements for the district. The plan covers Newbury and Thatcham as well as incorporating the LCWIP established for the eastern area settlements including Calcot, Pangbourne, Purley-on-Thames, and Theale.
The Council wants to improve facilities and opportunities for active travel and increase the amount of people walking and cycling as part of their daily routine. The LCWIP provides a framework for future investment in active travel infrastructure. The plan's adoption will help secure a long-term commitment to resources required for the proposed walking and cycling network over a ten year period.
The LCWIP is the result of two consultations which took place in Newbury and Thatcham (from February 2021 to April 2021) and also the Eastern Area of the District (completed in partnership with Reading Borough Council and Wokingham Council between May 2020 and August 2020).
Following the consultations, the council established that a strategic approach needs to be adopted in order to improve conditions for cycling and walking. The LCWIP helps West Berkshire Council to:
Cllr Richard Somner, Executive Member for Planning, Transport and Countryside, said:
"West Berkshire Council is totally committed to providing better cycling and walking conditions for its residents and the Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan is a very important step towards reaching that goal. This is a long term project and we want to ensure that we have taken all the necessary measures to ensure the successful delivery of the walking and cycling network."
The LCWIP has been approved by Cllr Richard Somner and will be part of the West Berkshire Council transport policy. The adoption of the LCWIP will help the council to develop an economic case for investment. The next steps will involve undertaking feasibility studies for the routes, preparing detailed designs and costings, managing scheme delivery, and monitoring and evaluating performance of schemes after implementation.
Feeling anxious about taking your family out for a bike ride? Fully funded Bikeability Family Courses will be available in the school holidays. We train at a pace that suits you and your family, so you all understand how to ride together safely with confidence. To register your interest and find out more email Activetravel@westberks.gov.uk
Still time to 'Have Your Say!'
Calcot school streets - https://calcotschoolstreetsmap.commonplace.is/
West Berkshire Active Travel - https://westberksactivestreets.commonplace.is/proposals/have-your-say-on-the-west-berkshire-active-travel-heat-map
Deadmans Lane - https://westberksactivestreets.commonplace.is/proposals/theale-deadmans-lane
Lawrences Lane - https://westberksactivestreets.commonplace.is/proposals/thatcham-lawrences-lane
We are getting some great feedback and engagement but 20% of your responses remain 'pending' in the system as you have not completed the verification process - make sure you are heard by verifying your email.
The consultation closure dates are as follows:
Friday 9th April
Friday 23rd April
Friday 2nd July
Thanks
West Berkshire Council has today launched a set of draft proposals of measures to help the public safely make walking or cycling trips part of their daily travel choices, and is inviting feedback from the community to help shape these plans. The public consultations can be viewed and commented upon via the Council’s new Active Travel consultation platform: https://westberksatschemes.commonplace.is/
Designed to encourage “active travel” by introducing more walking and cycling opportunities throughout the district, the draft proposals include:
Councillor Richard Somner, Executive Member for Transport and Countryside at West Berkshire Council, said:
“Our Active Travel schemes are designed to enhance the safety of pedestrians and cyclists, including children and adults alike. They will also promote health and wellbeing for residents; improve the environment, air quality and sustainability; and play a key role in COVID-19 economic recovery plans.
“We encourage residents to take to part in shaping our plans by registering onto our specially-dedicated online consultation platform. The platform has been designed to make it easy for participants to read the proposals, provide views, and engage in discussions around each of the schemes.”
The Active Travel consultation platform enables the general public to read and comment upon detailed concept plans and various information related to the schemes, including maps. Some of the consultations feature visual sliders to demonstrate a "before and after" scenario to help residents understand any changes being proposed. Several opinion surveys will be held within the platform throughout the course of the consultations to gauge further feedback from the community.
The Crown Mead Cycleways and Western Avenue Cycleways proposals are each open for consultation until on Friday, 9 April. The remainder are eight week consultations that will finish on Friday, 23 April.
With the exception of the LWCIP, the implementation of the Active Travel proposals will be funded through the £495,000 award from the Department for Transport's Active Travel Fund, following the Council's bid to further develop a lasting, safe environment for walking and cycling.
With their emphasis on promoting health and wellbeing, maintaining a green district and enhancing sustainability, the proposals support the local authority’s Council Strategy 2019 – 2023, Environment Strategy 2020 – 2030, Health and Wellbeing Strategy, Local Transport Plan 2011 – 2026, and the Covid-19 Recovery Strategy.