TRANSPORT
to 66 in 2011 as various other safety
CYCLING AND WALKING SCHEMES
The proposed 20mph limit is just
measures were introduced. However,
one of a number of approaches to
the numbers have remained at roughly
improving road safety being taken by
the same level since 2011 and the
the council.
council believes new approaches to
New technology for lorry drivers is
road safety, such as the 20mph limit, are
helping to prevent serious collisions
needed to effect more improvements.
with cyclists after the council ran a
Councillor Bassam Mahfouz, cabinet
successful trial of the Cycle Safety
member for transport, environment
Shield detection
and leisure, said: “The
system, which
idea of introducing a
“As well as improving avoided 15
20mph limit comes
potentially serious
from the council’s
road safety it could
accidents in six
ongoing attempts to
months. The
find ways to improve
improve health and
system’s intelligent
safety and also
quality of life...”
cameras detect only
addresses concerns
pedestrians, cyclists
raised in the most
COUNCILLOR BASSAM MAHFOUZ
and motorbikes and
recent residents’
it eliminates blind
survey about traffic
spots. It is now being used by the
speed, which the council shares.
council’s main contractors and is being
“As well as improving road safety
tested by Transport for London on their
it could have other implications for
buses and lorries.
improving health and quality of life
The council’s Biking Schools
for residents by lowering the levels
Programme has been very successful
of noise and air pollution as vehicles
in training pupils and teachers in safe
accelerate and brake more gently and
cycling skills, and school travel plans
as some people become encouraged
have been effective in encouraging
to swap their car for cycling, walking
a switch from car journeys to and
or public transport. This is in line with
from school, to cycling, walking or
the findings of the National Institute for
scootering instead.
Health and Care Excellence.”
ROAD LAYOUTS
A number of road lay-outs
have been remodelled
to improve traffic
flow and safety for
pedestrians and
motorists alike.
In Southall
Broadway,
a 20mph
speed limit,
narrower
road lanes
and wider
pavements
have been introduced, along with
four ‘island’ strips in the centre of the
road to make it easier to for people to
get across safely. Early data suggests
there has been a 25% reduction in
accidents involving personal injury
along Southall Broadway. The scheme
won the Streets Award at the 2015
Chartered Institute of Highways and
Transport (CIHT) Awards.
In the centre of Acton, the road surface
level was raised for new pedestrian
crossings and key roads such as High
Street, The Mount and King Street were
linked better to make it easier for people
to move around on foot. Preliminary
accident results in October showed a
15% decrease since the work was done.
Work is due to start this winter in
Hanwell and West Ealing to make
improvements there.
Visit www.ealing.gov.uk for
more details.
around ealing
Winter 2015/16
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