Birds Hill ETRO

We asked

To create a Low Traffic Neighbourhood, an Experimental Road Traffic Order (ETRO ) was implemented on Birds Hill Road to make it a no through road to motor vehicles (except buses), with only buses and bicycles permitted to exit onto Longfleet Road. Churchfield Road also became a no-through road with a point closure to motor traffic at its junction with Fernside Road.

The aim of this trial was to reduce traffic in the residential area and discourage through traffic, creating additional space where people can cycle and walk safely through the residential area and for hospital access. It also reduces the attractiveness of the wider rat run along Garland Road close to the local primary school. You can find out more information about the changes that were trialled.

The works were implemented the week commencing 31 August 2020. The ETROs could run for up to 18 months.

You said

The formal comments and those received through the online consultation forms by 7 March 2021 were compiled into a report and considered by the Portfolio Holder for Sustainability and Transport.

We did

The Portfolio Holder considered the results of consultation, the evidence relating to operation of the closure and the wider implications for the traffic network, the national and local transport policy, the wider desire to create a high quality cycle route as part of the Transforming Cities Fund (TCF) project and has had regard to the views of the local Ward Councillors and the advice given by Officers. On balance the Portfolio Holder has decided that for the two experimental road closures Birds Hill Road (ETRO/9) should not be made permanent and Churchfield Road (ETRO/10) should be made permanent.

In the first decision the Portfolio determined that:

  1. the scheme on Churchfield Road (ETRO/10) should be made permanent; and
  2. the scheme on Birds Hill Road (ETRO/9) should remain in place until a new decision is confirmed.

The second decision follows on from the preceding one. The Portfolio holder has proposed to not make ETRO/9 permanent and instead advertise a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) which would:

  1. Remove the bus only ETRO restriction in Birds Hill Road at the junction with Longfleet Road and make the turn ‘Left Turn Only’.
  2. Reinstate a length of 7 car parking bays.

Between 14 January 2022 and 4 February 2022, a 21-day consultation for the proposed permanent TRO took place. Following a review of the responses received, a decision came into effect on 31 March 2022 to make and seal the Traffic Order.

On 17 May 2022, a Notice of Making was published and the Traffic Order was sealed. The Traffic Order subsequently came into effect on 1 June 2022 and road markings / signage were amended accordingly to coincide with this.

Ultimately, since 1 June 2022, motorised vehicles exiting Birds Hill Road at the junction with Longfleet Road have only been permitted to turn left, whereas previously they were also allowed to continue straight ahead onto Garland Road or turn right. Existing restrictions prohibiting entry into Birds Hill Road from Longfleet Road remain unaltered.

We asked

To create a Low Traffic Neighbourhood, an Experimental Road Traffic Order (ETRO ) was implemented on Birds Hill Road to make it a no through road to motor vehicles (except buses), with only buses and bicycles permitted to exit onto Longfleet Road. Churchfield Road also became a no-through road with a point closure to motor traffic at its junction with Fernside Road.

The aim of this trial was to reduce traffic in the residential area and discourage through traffic, creating additional space where people can cycle and walk safely through the residential area and for hospital access. It also reduces the attractiveness of the wider rat run along Garland Road close to the local primary school. You can find out more information about the changes that were trialled.

The works were implemented the week commencing 31 August 2020. The ETROs could run for up to 18 months.

You said

The formal comments and those received through the online consultation forms by 7 March 2021 were compiled into a report and considered by the Portfolio Holder for Sustainability and Transport.

We did

The Portfolio Holder considered the results of consultation, the evidence relating to operation of the closure and the wider implications for the traffic network, the national and local transport policy, the wider desire to create a high quality cycle route as part of the Transforming Cities Fund (TCF) project and has had regard to the views of the local Ward Councillors and the advice given by Officers. On balance the Portfolio Holder has decided that for the two experimental road closures Birds Hill Road (ETRO/9) should not be made permanent and Churchfield Road (ETRO/10) should be made permanent.

In the first decision the Portfolio determined that:

  1. the scheme on Churchfield Road (ETRO/10) should be made permanent; and
  2. the scheme on Birds Hill Road (ETRO/9) should remain in place until a new decision is confirmed.

The second decision follows on from the preceding one. The Portfolio holder has proposed to not make ETRO/9 permanent and instead advertise a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) which would:

  1. Remove the bus only ETRO restriction in Birds Hill Road at the junction with Longfleet Road and make the turn ‘Left Turn Only’.
  2. Reinstate a length of 7 car parking bays.

Between 14 January 2022 and 4 February 2022, a 21-day consultation for the proposed permanent TRO took place. Following a review of the responses received, a decision came into effect on 31 March 2022 to make and seal the Traffic Order.

On 17 May 2022, a Notice of Making was published and the Traffic Order was sealed. The Traffic Order subsequently came into effect on 1 June 2022 and road markings / signage were amended accordingly to coincide with this.

Ultimately, since 1 June 2022, motorised vehicles exiting Birds Hill Road at the junction with Longfleet Road have only been permitted to turn left, whereas previously they were also allowed to continue straight ahead onto Garland Road or turn right. Existing restrictions prohibiting entry into Birds Hill Road from Longfleet Road remain unaltered.

Page last updated: 12 Oct 2022, 02:17 PM