Councillors split over road safety proposals for Hainault road

Lizzie Dearden Monday, November 12, 2012
12:12 PM

Councillors were divided over proposals to introduce traffic management measures in Fencepiece Road, Hainaut at an area committee meeting.

An investigation found that new pedestrian islands, signs and road markings could improve safety on the road between Tomswood Hill and New North Road.

Officers found that the accident rate for the road was 4.53 per kilometre – way above the Redbridge average of 2.99.

The £63,127 cost of the plan would be covered by Transport for London.

But several councillors objected to aspects of the new road layout at the area three committee meeting at Hainault Forest Community Association in Manford Way, Hainault, on Wednesday.

Cllr Joyce Ryan said cycle lanes would be impractical when many residents park their cars on the road.

Cllr David Poole raised issues with buses and emergency service vehicles being forced to drive on the wrong side of the road because of pedestrian islands.

Cllr Nick Hayes said members should not “throw the baby out with the bath water” and delay consultation but the matter went to a vote.

The time window to use the funding from Transport for London could run out before the next meeting.

Councillors voted evenly to put the plans to consultation and delay them for responses from Transport for London so, using his casting vote, chairman Cllr Alex Phillips voted the report back to the committee.