document: gbcbcc013/wr/rsa3 version: 2 greater bristol bus ... · alison foale beng (hons) msc...

Stage 3 Road Safety Audit

Document: GBCBCC013/WR/RSA3 Version: 2

Greater Bristol Bus Network, Whiteladies Road

Bristol City Council

28 June 2012

Halcrow Group Limited

Elms House, 43 Brook Green, London W6 7EF

Tel +44 20 3479 8000 Fax +44 20 3479 8001

halcrow.com

Halcrow Group Limited is a CH2M HILL company

Halcrow Group Limited has prepared this report in accordance with

the instructions of client Bristol City Council for the client’s sole and specific use.

Any other persons who use any information contained herein do so at their own risk.

© Halcrow Group Limited 2012


Greater Bristol Bus Network, Whiteladies Road


28 June 2012


Document history


Greater Bristol Bus Network, Whiteladies Road, Bristol


This document has been issued and amended as follows:

Version Date Description Created by Verified by Approved by

1.0 31/05/12 Draft A Foale D Cox AF

2.0 26/06/12 Draft A Foale D Cox AF

2.0 28/06/12 Final A Foale D Cox AF

Contents

1 Introduction 1

2 General Issues 2 2.1 Surfacing 2

2.1.1 Location: Scheme wide 2

2.2 Signing 2


2.3 Pedestrians/Cyclists 3




2.4 Bus shelters 4

2.4.1 Location: Various 4

2.5 Buildouts 4

2.5.1 Location: Various 4

3 Route Issues 6 3.1 Various 6

3.1.1 Location: Westbury Road 6

3.1.2 Location: Westbury Road southbound approach to Whitetree Roundabout 7

3.1.3 Location: Whitetree Roundabout bus stops 7

3.1.4 Location: North View 8

3.1.5 Location: Blackboy Junction 9

3.1.6 Location: Wellington Park/Whiteladies Road 10

3.1.7 Location: Whiteladies Road/Burlington Road 11

3.1.8 Location: Whiteladies Road adjacent to Redland Park 11

3.1.9 Location: Whiteladies Road/Ashgrove Road 12

3.1.10 Location: Whiteladies Road/Chantry Road 12

3.1.11 Location: Whatley Road/Whiteladies Road 13

3.1.12 Location: Cotham Hill/Whiteladies Road junction 13

3.1.13 Location: Aberdeen Road/Whiteladies Road 14

3.1.14 Location: Whiteladies Road/Oakfield Road 14

3.1.15 Location: Whiteladies Road/West Park 15

3.1.16 Location: Whiteladies Road/St Pauls Road Junction 15

3.1.17 Location: Whiteladies Road/Queens Road junction 16

3.1.18 Location: Queens Road 18

3.1.19 Location: Whiteladies Road near Frog Lane 19

4 Audit Team Statement 20

Appendices

Doc no: GBCBCC013/WR/RSA3 Version 2

1

1 Introduction

This report results from a Stage 3 Road Safety Audit carried out on bus stop

improvement scheme on Whiteladies Road in Bristol from the city boundary College

Green. The scheme consists of the provision of new bus stops with associated

kerbing and modifications to junctions.

Road safety audit is a formal independent procedure for assessing accident potential

and safety performance in the provision of new road schemes, and schemes for the

improvements and maintenance of existing roads. However, its sympathetic

application can also ensure that a growing awareness of good road safety principles

is achieved throughout any highway commissioning, design, construction or

maintenance organisation.

Road safety audit is not a design check or a consideration of the overall general

principles behind a scheme unless they have road safety implications.

The scheme extends over a distance of approximately 5 km. This report identifies

each problem as it occurs along the route from the city boundary travelling

southbound into the city centre. Some of the works had not been completed at the

time of the audit in particular those associated with Parry’s Lane and Whitetree

roundabout.

The Audit Team membership was as follows: -

Alison Foale BEng (Hons) MSc CMILT - Halcrow Group Ltd, Swindon

Darren Cox – Halcrow Group Ltd, Bristol

This report is presented based upon the checklist contained in Annex C of HD19/03.

The team has examined and reported only on the road safety implications of the

design and has not examined or verified the compliance of the layout to any other

criteria, in accordance with HD 19/03.

A visit to the site was made on Monday 21 May 2012 between 10.30 and 15.00 hours

when the weather was fine and the road surface was dry. A night time audit was

undertaken on Tuesday 29th May 2012.

Stage 1 and 2 Road Safety Audits were not undertaken on this scheme.

The Audit Team were supplied with a list of “concerns” resulting from a walk

through of the scheme attended by Bristol City Council Officers and local

Councillors. Each concern was considered by the audit team during the site visit and

those that represented a road safety problem have been incorporated into this report.

A list of the information supplied to the audit team in advance of the audit is

contained within Appendix A.

Each of the problems identified by the Audit Team has been allocated a unique

reference number and is as shown on the plan extracts contained within Appendix C.


2

2 General Issues

2.1 Surfacing

2.1.1 Location: Scheme wide

Summary: Missing high friction surfacing

Buff high friction surfacing (hfs) is shown within the central median strip on the

scheme drawings although has not been consistently implemented. Without the

contrasting colour the effectiveness of the strip is reduced and could result in some

drivers using it for inappropriate waiting/parking.

Recommendation

Provide hfs in accordance with the scheme drawings.

2.2 Signing


Summary: Bus lane signing has not been implemented

Where bus lanes have been introduced along the route the associated bus lane signs

have not been comprehensively implemented. The lack of appropriate signing may

lead to the mis-use of the bus lane or drivers being unaware that they are joining a

bus lane resulting in late lane changing.

It has not been possible to comment on the visibility aspects of these signs or the

appropriateness of their positions.

Recommendation

Provide bus lane signing in accordance with Local Transport Note 1/97 ‘Keeping

Buses Moving.’


3

2.3 Pedestrians/Cyclists


Summary: Confusing use of tactile paving

At a number of locations along the route dropped kerbs with buff tactile paving have

been provided for cyclists to gain access either to or from the carriageway. These

facilities are not signed and in some instances they encourage cyclists to join the

footway where there is not necessarily a cycle facility. At some locations corduroy

paving has been used to highlight to the visually impaired that they are joining an

area where there may be cyclists but this is not consistent along the route.

The second issue associated with these access points is that buff tactile paving is used

which could encourage pedestrians to cross at these locations which may not be

suitable. Often there is not a similar facility on the opposite side of the carriageway

which could result in pedestrians tripping on the opposite kerb if they cross at these

locations.

Recommendation

Remove the tactile paving at these locations and sign the facilities.


Summary: Trip hazards at dropped crossings

There are a number of locations where the upstand at dropped crossings is excessive

or the tactile paving has been laid unevenly increasing the risk of pedestrians

tripping and falling.


4

Recommendation

Ensure that the upstands at dropped crossing points do not exceed the recommended

maximum.


Summary: Evidence of standing water

There are a number of locations along the route where there is evidence of standing

water primarily at pedestrian crossings. During the winter months this water could

freeze and increase the risk of pedestrians slipping and falling.

Recommendation

Provide positive drainage at these locations.

2.4 Bus shelters

2.4.1 Location: Various

Summary: Lighting units

During the night inspection the lighting at a number of the bus shelters was not

operating reducing the security of pedestrians waiting at the stops.

Recommendation

Ensure all lighting units are operating.

2.5 Buildouts

2.5.1 Location: Various

Summary: Risk of collision.

During the night inspection the conspicuity of some buildouts either at junctions or

bus stops was not always clear. The Audit Team are concerned that vehicles could

strike the buildouts resulting in injury to waiting pedestrians or loss of control of the

vehicle.


5

Recommendation

Provide reflectorised bollards at vulnerable locations.

Where bollards are already provided introduce reflective bands to increase

conspicuity.


6

3 Route Issues

3.1 Various

3.1.1 Location: Westbury Road

Summary: On street parking restricts access

A pedestrian refuge has been provided on Westbury Road to the north of Henleaze

Road. Visibility from the crossing northbound is restricted by on street parking

which extends to within 3m of the refuge. The Audit Team are concerned that if

vehicles park that close to the refuge buses will be unable to pass.

An access for cyclists has been provided on the west side of Westbury Road adjacent

to the pedestrian refuge. Corduroy surfacing has been provided within the footway

to indicate to pedestrians that they are joining an area where there may be cyclists

however there are no signs to indicate that this is a segregated footway/cycle route.

On the north side of the refuge a right turn lane for cyclists using the access has been

provided within the hatching which has not been removed. With no signing of this

facility cyclists may not use it and drivers may not anticipate cyclists moving into the

centre of the carriageway, increasing the risk of collisions.

Recommendation

Extend the waiting restrictions to ensure that buses can manoeuvre past the refuge

and that pedestrians have sufficient visibility from the crossing.

Remove hatching in the cycle right turn lane and provide appropriate signing of the

facility. The tactile paving is addressed in 2.3.1.


7

3.1.2 Location: Westbury Road southbound approach to Whitetree Roundabout

Summary: Lane markings are not aligned

Carriageway markings on the southbound approach to the roundabout direct

vehicles in lane 2 into the zig zag markings increasing the risk of head on collisions

with vehicles exiting the roundabout northbound.

Because of the introduction of the bus lane the existing high friction surfacing only

extends halfway across lane 2 increasing the risk of differential skidding. The hfs has

also been removed where old lane markings have been removed.

Recommendation

Re-line the southbound approach so that the lanes align.

Extend the hfs across the whole of lane 2 southbound approach.

3.1.3 Location: Whitetree Roundabout bus stops

Summary: Pedestrian access to the bus stops

The zig zag markings on the northbound Westbury Road exit from the roundabout

do not extend up to the northbound bus stop. Vehicles could park in this gap

obstructing the bus stop.

The footway from Westbury Park is ramped in the vicinity of the southbound bus

stop. The Audit Team are concerned that pedestrians with reduced mobility may

find that the gradient makes it difficult to access the stop. The tactile paving on the

east side of Westbury Road does not include a stem indicating to visually impaired

pedestrians that they are at a controlled crossing. There is also a gap on the south

side of the footway where a visually impaired pedestrian could walk past the tactile

paving directly into the carriageway.


8

Recommendation

Extend the zig zag markings up to the bus stop.

Reprofile the footway and provide tactile paving in accordance with the DfT

Guidance on the provision of tactile surfaces.

3.1.4 Location: North View

Summary: Lack of cycle route signing

A right turn cycle facility is provided in the splitter island on North View for cyclists

intending to use Westbury Park southbound. The facility is not signed and drivers

may not anticipate cyclists moving across into the centre of the carriageway.

Westbury Park is one way northbound. ‘No entry’ signs have been provided but

‘except cyclists’ supplementary plates have not which could result in cyclists being

unsure that they can use the facility.

No signs were observed on Westbury Park indicating to drivers travelling

northbound that cyclists are permitted to use the carriageway southbound increasing

the risk of collisions with cyclists.

The splitter island on Westbury Park has a kink at the southern end. The Audit Team

are concerned that cyclists, particularly at night, may not be aware of this and strike

the kerb, potentially unseating the rider. There is also a lot of detritus in the cycle

channel suggesting that water collects in this location. In winter this could freeze

resulting in loss of control accidents.

Recommendation

Provide appropriate signing of the cycle route and the no entry.

Use carriageway markings to guide cyclists past the ‘kink’ in the splitter island and

ensure that the positive drainage at this location is adequate.


9

3.1.5 Location: Blackboy Junction

Summary: Lack of tactile paving at zebra crossings

No tactile paving has been provided at the zebra crossings on Upper Belgrave Road.

The adjacent zebra crossing has tactile surfacing which could lead to confusion for

visually impaired pedestrians who may proceed to walk into the carriageway.

The markings associated with waiting restrictions on Stoke Road do not extend up to

the junction. Vehicles can park up to the stopline, restricting movements at the

junction and reducing forward visibility. Carriageway markings associated with the

advance cycle stop lines have not been completed.

There are a number of missing sign faces at the junction, probably direction signs,

which could result in drivers making late lane changes.

Some obsolete carriageway markings are still in place on the Upper Belgrave Road

approach to Stoke Road. Pedestrians using the controlled crossing may be confused

by the two sets of markings.


10

The off side no entry sign on the Stoke Road northwest approach to the signals is

located within the tactile paving which could result in visually impaired pedestrians

walking into it.

The bus cage on Stoke Road has not been marked out in the right place which could

result in buses stopping away from the raised kerbs. It will also extend into the

advisory cycle lane.

Hatching has not been provided where the Stoke Road northeast approach and

Upper Belgrave Road approach diverge leaving a large area of carriageway which

drivers could use if congested.

Recommendations

Provide appropriate tactile paving at the zebra crossings.

Extend waiting restrictions on Stoke Road and provide missing carriageway

markings associated with the advance cycle stop lines.

Provide missing sign faces.

Remove obsolete carriageway markings.

Relocate no entry sign to the back of footway.

Reposition the bus cage markings on Stoke Road and amend the advisory cycle lane.

Provide hatching to help emphasise the edge of the cycle lane.

3.1.6 Location: Wellington Park/Whiteladies Road

Summary: Missing central island

A number of the improvements indicated on the drawings have not been completed

including the provision of one of the central islands and the removal of a kink in the

footway which could result in vehicles clipping the kerb.


11

The tactile paving on the southside of Woodbury Lane is uneven and could result in

pedestrians tripping and falling.

Recommendation

Complete these aspects of the scheme.

3.1.7 Location: Whiteladies Road/Burlington Road

Summary: Reduced visibility of signs

Burlington Road is one way westbound. The no entry signs provided at the entry to

Burlington Road are not clearly visible to southbound vehicles on Whiteladies Road

increasing the risk of head on collisions if a vehicle incorrectly turns into the junction.

Recommendation

Ensure that no entry signs are clearly visible to traffic travelling in both directions on

Whiteladies Road.

3.1.8 Location: Whiteladies Road adjacent to Redland Park

Summary: Poor visibility from uncontrolled crossing point

An uncontrolled pedestrian crossing has been provided to the south of Redland Park.

Parking within the northbound bus lane restricts visibility for pedestrians at this

crossing point and results in them walking into the carriageway in order to establish

if it is clear to cross.


12

Recommendation

Improve visibility at this crossing point by removing some of the on street parking.

3.1.9 Location: Whiteladies Road/Ashgrove Road

Summary: Lack of signing and carriageway markings

The scheme drawings indicate that Ashgrove Road is no entry from Whiteladies

Road except for cyclists. No signing or carriageway markings have been provided

resulting in drivers continuing to turn into Ashgrove Road from Whiteladies Road

increasing the risk of head on collisions.

Recommendation

Provide appropriate signing for the junction.

3.1.10 Location: Whiteladies Road/Chantry Road

Summary: Lack of tactile paving

Tactile paving has not been used within a large utility cover resulting in an area of

the crossing without tactile paving. This could result in a visually impaired

pedestrian misinterpreting the tactiles and continuing unaware of the crossing point.

At other locations within the scheme tactile paving has been incorporated within the

utility covers.


13

Recommendation

Provide tactile paving consistently within utility covers.

3.1.11 Location: Whatley Road/Whiteladies Road

Summary: Missing ‘keep left’ sign

The new central island to the south of Whatley Road is missing a ‘keep left’ sign for

northbound traffic. The island could be struck, which is more evident at night. On

some of the approaches to the central islands, including this one, hatching has been

omitted which could result in drivers not being guided past the island.

Recommendation

Provide a ‘keep left’ sign.

Provide hatching where necessary.

3.1.12 Location: Cotham Hill/Whiteladies Road junction

Summary: Insufficient offset to existing controller/air quality monitoring box

An existing controller/air quality monitoring box is located less than 300mm from the

edge of the carriageway. Buses approaching the bus stop which is now an online

stop rather than a bus bay maybe at more risk of striking it as they align themselves

with the raised kerbs.

The carriageway at the tactile paving on the northside of Cotham Hill is very uneven.

A visually impaired pedestrian having located the crossing using the tactile paving

could trip and fall once in the carriageway.


14

Recommendation

Relocate the box.

Resurface the carriageway at the uncontrolled crossing.

3.1.13 Location: Aberdeen Road/Whiteladies Road

Summary: Inconsistent signing of cycle lanes

Cycle symbols are shown on the scheme drawings across the junctions with West

Park and Aberdeen Road. These had not been introduced at the time of the audit and

are not consistent with the signing of cycle routes infront of side roads on Fishponds

Road. Lack of consistency could result in cyclists being unsure of the most

appropriate alignment at junctions.

Recommendation

Ensure that the signing of cycle lanes is consistent along all the bus routes.

3.1.14 Location: Whiteladies Road/Oakfield Road

Summary: Incomplete paving and obsolete lighting column within tactile paving

On the west side of the zebra crossing the surfacing around a utility cover has not

been finished and could result in a pedestrian tripping and falling.

On the north side of Oakfield Road there is an obsolete lighting column within the

tactile paving. Visually impaired pedestrians are at risk of colliding with the column.


15

An existing bus lane sign on the south side of Belgrave Road has been rotated

reducing the effectiveness of the sign.

Recommendation

Ensure paving around utility cover is finished.

Remove obsolete post.

Rotate the sign face.

3.1.15 Location: Whiteladies Road/West Park

Summary: Poor visibility from junction

Visibility from West Park is restricted by the on street parking located between the

zebra crossing and the junction increasing the risk of failure to giveway collisions.

Recommendation

Remove this section of parking.

3.1.16 Location: Whiteladies Road/St Pauls Road Junction

Summary: Uncontrolled crossing within advance cycle stop line

On the southbound approach to the signalised junction a cycle access point is

provided from within the advance cycle stopline. As there are no controlled

pedestrian crossing facilities on this approach, pedestrians may misinterpret this

dropped kerb as a crossing particularly as there is one on the opposite side of the

carriageway. This could encourage pedestrians to cross the carriageway where

cyclists could be manoeuvring and where vehicles could have incorrectly entered the

advance cycle stop line reservoir.

Movements at the junction are restricted with banned movements indicated on the

signal heads. No lane markings or clear advance signing to assist drivers in

understanding which movements are prohibited have been provided. The buildout

on the southwest corner of the junction has been hit and the Audit Team are

concerned that some drivers may be making prohibited movements at the junction

and hitting the buildout. This could increase the risk of collisions at the junction and

put more vulnerable road users at risk.


16

The scheme drawings indicate that box markings were to be used at the junction. At

the time of the audit the markings were not in place.

During the night inspection this area was quite ‘gloomy’ due to substantial trees

obscuring some of the street lighting. The Audit Team are concerned that drivers

may not be fully aware of the buildout.

Recommendation

Remove this uncontrolled crossing point.

Provide advance direction signing and lane markings to indicate to drivers on each

approach which movements are permitted. Provide swept path analysis to ensure

that all permitted movements can be accommodated at the junction. Provide a

reflectorised bollard on the leading edge of the buildout.

Provide box markings at the junction.

3.1.17 Location: Whiteladies Road/Queens Road junction

Summary: Various

The cycle lane provided southbound on Whiteladies Road is shown as advisory on

the scheme drawings but has been implemented as mandatory. This requires more

statutory signing which has not been provided.


17

The zig zag markings on the south side of the zebra crossing on Whiteladies Road

and carriageway markings on Queens Road have not been removed effectively and

are still visible at night, potentially guiding drivers into the wrong lane.

Tactile paving has not been provided at the entrance to the Bristol University School

of Music or Park Place as shown on the scheme drawings. The inconsistent provision

of tactile paving can be confusing for the visually impaired.

At the exit onto Queens Drive vehicles are guided round the circulatory by

carriageway markings. The hatching within the markings has not been provided

reducing the effectiveness of the markings.


18

Recommendation

Provide appropriate cycle signing.

Remove obsolete carriageway markings.

Provide tactile paving.

Provide hatching.

3.1.18 Location: Queens Road

Summary: Profile of bus stop

The profile of the bus stop results in a crossfall towards the back of the footway and

the shop frontages. Where the footway is level a series of ‘A’ frame advertising

boards are provided which forces pedestrians to walk on the raised section. The

Audit Team are concerned that if the profile is greater than 2.5% this could destabilise

anyone using a mobility scooter or wheelchair.

It is also likely that water will drain towards the shop frontages where no positive

drainage was observed. This could result in standing water which in the winter

months could freeze resulting in slips and falls.

Recommendations

Remove the advertising boards.

Provide positive drainage if necessary.


19

3.1.19 Location: Whiteladies Road near Frog Lane

Summary: Bus shelter restricts footway

The bus shelter provided at the inbound bus stop to the north of Frog Lane has a full

end panel at one end of shelter. The end panel reduces the width of the footway

infront of the shelter. Passengers disembarking from the bus intending to walk into

the centre of Bristol walk very close to the edge of the carriageway increasing the risk

of being clipped by a passing vehicle. Passengers with pushchairs will either have to

walk round the shelter or end up pushing the buggy into the carriageway.

Recommendation

Replace the full end panel with a half panel similar to the one provided at the other

end of the shelter.


20

4 Audit Team Statement

I certify that this audit has been carried out in accordance with HD 19/03.

Audit Team Leader

Name: Alison Foale

Signed:

Position: Senior Consultant Dated: 28/06/2012

Organisation: Halcrow Group Ltd

Address: Burderop Park

Swindon SN4 0QD

Audit Team Member

Name: Darren Cox

Position: Associate

Organisation: Halcrow Group Ltd

Address Bristol

Appendix A

List of Drawings and Documents Supplied

Document Rev. Description

DH0236-C02-032 C Canford Lane

DH0236-C02-033 B Belgrave Road

DH0236-C02-034 A The Downs

DH0236-C02-035 B White Tree Roundabout

DH0236-C02-039 1 & 2 C Oakland Road to Alma Road

DH0236-C02-044 C Aspley Road

DH0236-C02-058 A Burlington Road/Aspley Road

DH0236-C02-087 A Blackboy Hill Phase 1

DH0236-C02-059 - Blackboy Hill Phase 2

DH0236-C02-061 A Blackboy Hill Phase 3

DH0236-C02-066 F Cotham Hill

DH0236-C02-069 1 & 2 B BBC to Cotham Hill

DH0236-C02-074 B Cotham Hill to Aspley Road 1 of 3

DH0236-C02-075 C Cotham Hill to Aspley Road 2 of 3

DH0236-C02-076 B Cotham Hill to Aspley Road 3 of 3

DH0236-C02-077 - Tyndalls Park Road

DH0236-C02-078 C College Green

DH0236-C02-082 - Triangle West

DH0236-C02-083 A Queens Road

DH0236-C02-085 A Queens Road Signals

DH0236-C02-086 B Queens Road zebra

DH0236-C02-091 - Westbury Road

DH0236-C02-092 - Parrys Lane

List of “concerns” resulting from scheme walk through attended by Bristol City Council

Officers and local Councillors

Appendix B

Location Plan

Appendix C

Key Plans

For details of your nearest Halcrow office, visit our website halcrow.com

3.1.1

3.1.2

3.1.3


3.1.3

3.1.3


3.1.4


3.1.5

3.1.5

3.1.5

3.1.5


3.1.6

3.1.6


3.1.7

3.1.8


3.1.9 3.1.9

3.1.10 3.1.10


3.1.11 3.1.11


3.1.12

3.1.12


3.1.13


3.1.13

3.1.14

3.1.15


3.1.16

3.1.16


3.1.17

3.1.17

3.1.17

3.1.17

3.1.17


3.1.18


3.1.19