HGV Control – Waddesdon Freight Strategy

HGV traffic through the village roads is at a record high and is causing damaged roads, eroded verges, increased potholes, and safety concerns.  The Parish Council requested an update from the Senior Transport Strategy Officer (Freight) at Buckinghamshire Council on the progress of the much-awaited Waddesdon Freight Strategey, which is summarised here:

The Waddesdon Freight Strategy was paused while the Ivinghoe Freight Zone pilot was completed.  The pilot was not as successful as hoped, because enforcement of the restriction could not be implemented.  Buckinghamshire Council now plans to use powers (under Part VI of the Traffic Management Act 2004 – commonly called Moving Traffic Enforcement) and hopes to include this in the next cabinet submission, after which there would be a public consultation.

In the meantime, officers agree it sensible to consider more local, targeted measures rather than waiting for the full enforcement outcome from Ivinghoe.  They will work with local members from the Waddesdon area to identify potential intervention sites, assess how HGV movements might be displaced, and scope likely impacts.  Buckinghamshire Council is also looking to introduce a new version of the council’s freight strategy.  This will incorporate a need a default use of Construction Traffic Management Plans for new developments of significance.  This will identify routings for construction vehicles avoiding villages and sticking to more appropriate A and B class routes.

Work has started on identifying potential sites and understanding impacts on HGV flows and they will be looking to bring options to parish councils as soon as they can.

HGV Control Zone – Waddesdon Freight Zone

The Parish Council has received a disappointing update on the Waddesdon Freight Zone.  A report on the informal engagement survey results and comments received has been presented to the Cabinet Member for Transport.  The Cabinet Member has decided to pause progressing the Waddesdon Freight Zone whilst the effectiveness of a freight zone is measured. Now, traffic surveys on the pilot freight zone in the Ivinghoe area will be rerun (towards the back end of this year) and analysed to inform how effective the Ivinghoe Freight Zone has been in removing HGV through traffic whilst allowing for local access. 

Buckinghamshire Council has said the Parish Council will receive further updates when the surveys on the Ivinghoe Freight Intervention have been conducted and consideration has been given to the introduction of a freight zone along with other potential solutions.  

Kings Cross Junction Lining

Haddenham PC has submitted a joint application (Haddenham, Cuddington and Chearsley PC’s) to the HS2 Road Safety Fund and awaits the outcome.

Resurfacing and Refreshing of Road Marks

An order is in place for refreshing of road linings at the south entrance to the village (currently advised to be August/September).

Village Gate

Village gates to be installed at all three approaches to the village have been ordered.  The PC will be kept Parishioners advised of progress and timescales, as informed by Buckinghamshire Council 

HGV Control Zone – Waddesdon Freight Zone

A report on the informal engagement survey results and comments received is being prepared for the Cabinet Member for Transport to enable him to make a decision on how to proceed. This paper, due at the end of April, will help determine if adjustments to the proposal presented are needed and if this is something to puruse or not

Once the report has been presented to the cabinet member it is planned to post to the council webpage.

20mph Feasibility Study 

The highway consultants (PJA), commissioned by the Parish Council has completed its report and this can be found here.

PJA has discussed its findings with Buckinghamshire Highways who continue to object to any 20mph proposals on the grounds that there is no ‘safety case’ for change i.e. there is no record of accidents as a result of speeding.

The report recommendations include a number of  ‘light touch’ traffic calming measures e.g. re-doing the dragons teeth and coloured surfacing at the approaches to the village , installing village ‘gateways’  etc to emphasise the residential nature of the roads.  The Parish Council will discuss this work with the local Bucks Highways technician in order to draw up a programme and budget for implementation.

It is proposed to maintain the Speedwatch programme and install three permanent Speed Indicator Devices (SIDS) at the approaches to the village. The older devices on Aylesbury Road and Dadbrook are beyond repair and will be removed.

Extension of 30mph speed limits

Bucks Highways has completed its assessment of the proposed 30mph extensions and advised the Parish Council that the assessment does not meet the Department for Transport Guidelines on speed limits. Thames Valley Police were consulted and stated that they would object to the proposals unless there were traffic calming measures to slow down traffic. The Parish Council suggested an alternative solution, creating a 40mpg transition between the 50mph and 60mph speed limits on the approach roads and the existing 30mph speed limit area. This was also rejected by Bucks highways. There is no prospect of Bucks changing their minds and no further action will be taken on this matter.

HGV control zone

Buckinghamshire Council Transport Strategy team is consulting on a Waddesdon Freight Zone to include Chearsley, Cuddington, Ashendon and Brill. Buckinghamshire Highways state: “Our aim is to significantly reduce traffic on local roads by preventing HGVs from passing through to ensure they take more appropriate routes. There would be an exception for vehicles travelling to destinations within the zone. This means deliveries and collections for local homes and businesses would be unaffected. Access would also be retained for buses, farm traffic and public service vehicles.  The Parish Council fully supports this proposal and encourages Parishioners to respond positively to the public consultation.

Dadbrook verge/footway

There has been no further response from the landowner. The project is therefore now considered to be unachievable in the short term. There will be another opportunity to pursue this objective through the Bucks Local Plan process in relation to the housing proposals at Dadbrook Farm.

Safety assessment of the Kings Cross junction (Dadbrook and the A418).

The consultant’s (PJA) safety final report has been issued and can be found here. It is proposed to review the junction capacity/design during the Bucks Local Plan consultation stage.

20mph feasibility study

Buckinghamshire Council will not support 20mph speed limits unless they are enforceable i.e. average speeds are within 24mph. (The PC is advised that the Oxfordshire 20mph limits in villages are largely unenforceable). To help reduce vehicle speeds it is proposed to maintain the Speedwatch programme and install additional Speed Indicator Devices (SIDS) at the approaches to the village. The highway consultant (PJA), commissioned by the Parish Council, is completing its report recommending a phased programme of ‘light touch’ traffic calming measures e.g. textured surfacing, signage, village gateways etc to emphasise the residential nature of the roads.  The final report should be available by the end of February. Once approved, the consultants will discuss its findings with Buckinghamshire Council in order to agree a way forward and options for funding.

Buckinghamshire Council is proposing to reduce the volume of Heavy Goods Vehicles in the areas of Ashendon, Brill, Chearsley and Cuddington through the implementation of a 'freight zone’ and wants to hear your views.

This major public consultation on restricting through traffic to vehicles over 7.5 tonnes around Waddesdon runs from now until Saturday 17 February.

PLEASE HAVE YOUR SAY.  It only takes a few minutes and a strong response will improve the chance of the proposals being implemented.

Please click on the link below:

Waddesdon Area Freight Zone Consultation - Your Voice Bucks - Citizen Space

There are two drop-in events taking place at Ashendon Village Hall on:
   Wednesday 17 January, 1pm until 8pm
   Saturday 27 January, 10am to 5pm

Address: Main Street, Ashendon, HP18 0HB.  Parking in the playing fields carpark (first left after the bus shelter).

The Zone is defined as the area which is: South of the A41 Aylesbury to Bicester road, East of the B4011 Bicester to Thame road, North of the A418 Thame to Aylesbury road and West of Rabans Lane in Aylesbury.

The proposals will reduce, not eliminate, heavy vehicles from our country roads. An analysis based on January 2022 ANPR data from all 12 entry points to the zone showed 35% of traffic over 7.5 tons going straight through without stopping. 40% was identified as stopping, leaving 25% of movements as indeterminate, some of which almost certainly added to the straight through total. It is this straight through traffic that the proposed measures seek to eliminate.

Traffic banned from entering the zone will be routed via the boundary A and B roads. This will not lead to any significant increase in traffic on those roads.

Enforcement of the Zone will be by both Thames Valley Police and Buckinghamshire Council which was given enforcement powers in 2022 and has established a Moving Traffic Offences team.

Steven Broadbent, Buckinghamshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport, said:

"We're committed to making Buckinghamshire a more sustainable and pleasant place to live, work and visit, which is why we’ve created this freight zone proposal.

“Our aim is to significantly reduce traffic on local roads by preventing HGVs from passing through to ensure they take more appropriate routes. There would be an exception for vehicles travelling to destinations within the zone. This means deliveries and collections for local homes and businesses would be unaffected. Access would also be retained for buses, farm traffic and public service vehicles.

“If implemented, the Waddesdon Freight Zone will help to reduce the impact of HGVs on the community, and address concerns about road safety and air quality in the area."

Please do have your say.

Below is the Parish Council's montly update on highways and traffic projects.

Extension of 30mph speed limits

Bucks highways have started the speed surveys on Dadbrook, Bridgeway and Aylesbury Road in order to assess the proposed extensions to the 30mph speed limits at the approaches to the village.

Once they have the survey results, Bucks will undertake a separate speed assessment report for each road to determine if a speed limit change is appropriate.

HGV control zone

Buckinghamshire Council Transport Strategy team is progressing the development of steps to manage HGVs in the area and have obtained approval from the Bucks cabinet member to undertake the initial consultation. The aim is to complete consultation by the end of the year but there is no further news on potential dates.

Dadbrook verge / footway 

The topographical survey and concept drainage designs are complete and have been issued to Bucks highways and the landowner for comment.  Bucks highways are generally content with the proposals; a meeting is to be held with the landowner later in November to discuss the proposals.

Safety assessment of the Kings Cross junction (Dadbrook and the A418)

The consultant’s (PJA) safety report will be issued later this month.

20mph feasibility  study

The Parish Council has asked highway consultants PJA for a fee proposal to undertake a review of traffic calming within the village and advise on the potential for a 20mph zone.

Funding

The Parish Council has set aside funds for traffic mitigation measure including speed limit changes and the Dadbrook verge. However, it is unlikely that the funds are sufficient to cover the full implementation costs of both projects , plus the 20mph feasibility study.

Therefore, it is proposed to assess the three projects (speed limit extension, Dadbrook verge and 20mph zone) against the available budgets at the end of the year , when all the information should be available. 

Speeding

Despite many reminders and support from our local Bucks Councillor there still has been no further news from Bucks regarding our proposals to extend the 30mph limits.

We will continue to push for feedback from Bucks.

HGVs

Buckinghamshire Council Transport Strategy team are progressing the development of steps to manage HGVs in the area and have obtained approval from the Bucks cabinet member to undertake the initial consultation.  Bucks have been scoping the informal engagement content including a survey to gauge levels of support.  Bucks are have having discussions with their consultants, Atkins, to establish roles and responsibilities along with in-house resources to establish how to get the consultation phase completed as soon as possible at the best cost.  The aim is to complete consultation by the end of the year.

Dadbrook

The Parish Council have received an approximate estimate for the Dadbrook verge proposals.  Although it is outside our current budget allocation, the Parish Council has commissioned a topographical survey and concept design to further test the feasibility of the project.  The topographical survey is complete, and the drainage study should be available by early October.

The Parish Council will then arrange a further meeting with the landowner.

The Parish Council would like to thank Clico and Gerald Kingsbury for generously donating the proceeds of the July fundraising event towards the cost of the topographical survey.

Safety at the Kings Cross junction (Dadbrook and the A418)

The Haddenham Parish Council has agreed to commission an independent road safety study for Kings Cross.  This will include an assessment of pedestrian safety when crossing the A418.

A review meeting was held with the highway consultants and  representatives from Haddenham and Cuddington Parish Councils on 20th September.

The consultants are preparing a report to suggest a long term amendment to the staggered junction (requiring land-take and developer funding) and measures that can be taken in the short-term to improve the junction safety.

Speeding

Despite many reminders and support from our local Bucks Councillor there has been no further news from Bucks regarding our proposals to extend the 30mph limits.

We will continue to push for feedback from Bucks.

HGVs

Buckinghamshire Council Transport Strategy team are progressing the development of steps to manage HGVs in the area and have obtained approval from the Bucks cabinet member to undertake the initial consultation.  This is pencilled in for September – October 2023.

It is proposed to create a restriction zone with local access for HGVs between the A41 and the A418.  If approved, this would ban through traffic for HGVs except those needing local access eg for deliveries, construction and so on.

Consultation is required to assess the support for such a proposal and also identify any objections eg from hauliers and other commercial road users.

The highway authority is obliged to identify alternative routes for displaced traffic and assess their economic, social and environmental impacts.  For example, any HGV movements that would normally have come through Cuddington may have to divert through other settlements or travel close to sensitive sites such as schools.  They also need to consider the economic and environmental implications of creating longer journeys for the diverted traffic.

Bucks have to balance the benefits of the proposed zone v the disbenefits, before reaching a decision.  This is likely to take several months after the initial consultation.

Dadbrook

The Parish Council have had a meeting with the landowners.  We have agreed to obtain a cost estimate for the proposed drainage and verge works, before any further discussions can take place.  This is to establish the financial viability of the project.

Details of the proposals have been sent to a local civil engineering contractor who has kindly offered to supply a cost estimate.

Safety at the Kings Cross junction (Dadbrook and the A418)

Haddenham Parish Council has agreed to commission the independent road safety study for Kings Cross.  This will include an assessment of pedestrian safety when crossing the A418.

Highways and traffic are an ongoing priority for Cuddington Parish Council.  The main safety issues are:

• Speeding
• HGVs
• Dadbrook – the lack of a safe route to the bus stops on the A418
• Safety at the Kings Cross junction (Dadbrook and the A418)

The Parish Council has been working with the highway authority Transport for Bucks (TfB) on a number of initiatives to improve matters.  TfB have made it clear that unless there is a history of accidents, they will not provide any funding, and they will only consider new projects if there are the funds to implement them.

In April 2023 TfB changed the arrangements for commissioning and implementing highway works, in order to improve the service that they provide.

https://www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/news/new-partnership-is-designed-to-further-improve-buckinghamshires-highways/

It will take a little time to bed-in the new systems and define the relationships between Parish Council, TfB and the newly appointed highway team.  It is hoped to have clarity on this shortly.

The present (June 2023) situation for Cuddington highway projects is as follows:-

Speeding

Speedwatch and the use of the Vehicle Activated Signs continues under the management of Steve Wright.

The Parish Council is discussing withTfB the option to extend the 30mph limits along the three approaches to the village, to improve safety for vulnerable users and reduce vehicle speeds entering the village centre.

TfB highway officers attended a site visit on 9th June with the Parish Council to review the proposals.  Once we have their initial response, we will commission speed surveys and speed limit assessments prior to any proposals being published for public consultation.

TfB officers suggested that we might wish to review the design of the 30mph entrance points, e.g. by adding gates, to make them more prominent.

Funding for this has been allocated within the 2023/24 Parish Council budget.

HGVs

Buckinghamshire Council Transport Strategy team are progressing the development of steps to manage HGVs in the area.  They are hoping to bring proposals to the public and to ask for feedback in the next few months.

This is funded by TfB.

Dadbrook

The Cuddington Neighbourhood Plan (CNP) identified the lack of a safe pedestrian route along Dadbrook to the bus stops on the A418 and onward connections to Haddenham.

The Parish Council have been discussing with TfB a possible option for a lower, and more level, mown grass refuge on the eastern verge of Dadbrook.

A site visit with TfB Highway officers was held on 9th June.  TfB confirmed that they have no objection to the proposals, but they would need the existing ditch culverted to reduce the risk to pedestrians.  The ditch is owned by the adjacent landowner and the Parish Council will arrange to meet them to discuss the proposals.

If landowner approval is given, details would need to be submitted to TfB Highways for authorisation.  The works could then be procured and implemented through the Parish Council rather than the TfB Highways team.

Some funding for this has been allocated within the 2023/24 Parish Council budget, but it may not to cover the full cost of the works.  This will be re-assessed once a draft scheme has been approved and tendered.

Safety at the Kings Cross junction (Dadbrook and the A418)

The Kings Cross junction lies within the parish of Haddenham.  Haddenham Parish Council has obtained a price for independent highway consultants to review the safety of the junction following a series of recent accidents.

Cuddington and Chearsley Parish Council have agreed to share the funding of this study.