Update - 14 December 2011
The formal consultation for this scheme concluded on 9 December 2011. The Cabinet Member considered the Officer recommendation report and has made a decision to proceed with the changes.
The Council now proposes to start implementation on 4 January 2012 and an information letter has been sent to residents to relay information on how the works will be carried out. It is anticipated that the works will be complete by the end of January.
Officers' recommendation report and Cabinet Member's decision
Formal consultation - November 2011
Merton Council is proposing to improve road safety by introducing a mini roundabout on a raised section of the carriageway at the junction of Gap Road and Ashcombe Road. The raised section would in effect be a continuation of the existing raised carriageway upon which the zebra crossing is currently marked. The proposals in general seek to achieve the following objectives:
Street scene improvement will also form part of the proposed work. A recent site survey identified a number of signs and posts which will become redundant as a result of the new road layout. All redundant posts and signs will be removed as part of the Council’s decluttering exercise.
The proposals in general seek to achieve the following objectives:
- To improve right turn movements in and out of Ashcombe Road.
- To reduce vehicular speeds through the junction.
- To provide an informal crossing point across Ashcombe Road to assist pedestrians.
- To improve the street scene by removing redundant signs and posts in the vicinity of the junction.
In order to ensure the safe working of the mini roundabout it is necessary to upgrade the existing ‘waiting’ restrictions along the northern kerb line of Gap Road to operate ‘At any time’ and introduce new ‘At any time’ loading restrictions around the junction. These restrictions would not affect the existing parking bays in Ashcombe Road.
What happens next
The introduction of the proposed mini roundabout does not require a statutory consultation. The Council is, however, required to formally consult on the changes to the Waiting and Loading restrictions and the speed table at the junction.
A Notice of the Council’s intentions to introduce the proposed restrictions, which form part of the overall agreed scheme will be published in the local newspaper, and posted on lamp columns in the vicinity. Representations for and against the waiting and loading restrictions and speed table described in this Notice must be made in writing to the Head of Street Scene and Waste by no later than 9 December 2011, quoting reference ES/SGE/GAP-ASHCOMBE ROAD. Objections must relate only to the element of the scheme that are subject to this statutory consultation.
All representations along with Officers’ comments and recommendations will be reported to the Cabinet Member for Environmental Sustainability and Regeneration for a decision. Please note that responses to any representations received will not be made until a final decision is made by the Cabinet Member.
The Council is required to give weight to the nature and content of your representations and not necessarily the quantity. Your reasons are, therefore, important to us.
A copy of the proposed TMO, a plan identifying the area affected by the proposals and the Council’s Statement of Reasons for proposing to amend the Waiting and Loading restrictions and the speed table can be inspected at the Merton Link, Merton Civic Centre, London Road, Morden, Surrey, SM4 5DX during the Council’s normal office hours Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm and at Wimbledon Library during its usual opening hours.