Location

Crowmeole Lane, Shrewsbury, from its junction with Rad Valley Road to its junction with Sandiway (in both directions).

Description

A trial point closure was introduced on Crowmeole Lane, Shrewsbury on 18 March 2021 for a period of 18 months (until September 2022) using funding granted from the Department for Transport’s (DFT) Emergency Active Travel Fund (EATF). In line with the EATF’s objectives to deliver quick emergency interventions to make walking and cycling safer in urban areas. The aim of the trial point closure was to create a safe corridor for walking and cycling to/from residential areas to access employment (including the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital (a major employer) as well as schools and key services in the area.

The trial point closure scheme closes a section of Crowmeole Lane from its junction with Rad Valley Road to its junction with Sandiway in both directions to all vehicular traffic except buses. The physical location of the point closure allows for residents in surrounding streets to access their properties from Crowmeole Lane but prevents through access for vehicles allowing for a lightly trafficked, and therefore safer, route for pedestrians and cyclists.

The trial point closure scheme is currently formed of signage only with no physical barriers or other enforcement measures to prevent access by through traffic. The lack of physical barriers or enforcement mechanisms have compromised the effectiveness of this scheme as evidenced by the number of drivers who ignore the point closure and drive through it. Moderate numbers of pedestrians and cyclists have been recorded as using this route, and the results of a public consultation exercise indicate that there's a level of support in the community for introducing a follow-up scheme with enforcement measures in place to prevent drivers from contravening the road closure.

We're proposing to introduce a permanent point closure that would close off the same section of Crowmeole Lane as the current trial point closure. We're seeking to enforce this point closure using camera technology such as automated number plate recognition (ANPR) or closed-circuit television following the introduction of the Civil Enforcement of Road Traffic Contraventions (Approved Devices, Charging Guidelines and General Provisions) (England) Regulations 2022. These new regulations come into force on 31 May 2022 and have been introduced to allow local authorities outside London to have the necessary legislative enforcement powers (under Part 6 of the Traffic Management Act 2004) for moving traffic contraventions, and to encourage behavioural shift towards sustainable travel choices by keeping pedestrian and cycle facilities clear of vehicles. It supports the commitment made by the prime minister in launching the government’s broader policy to further promote active travel choices.

Enforcement measures for vehicles contravening the point closure will be in the form of a penalty charge issued through a penalty charge notice (PCN). The higher-level penalty charge is £60 and the lower-level penalty charge is £40. The new regulations allow for a 50% discount if the PCN is paid early. In recognition of the need to promote compliance and help motorists understand the consequences of contravening moving traffic enforcement regimes, we're looking to introduce a ‘grace period’ for the first six months following the implementation of the point closure for first-time moving traffic contraventions. This will be in the form of a warning notice which would advise that any further contravention will result in the issue of a PCN.

The introduction of these enforcement measures for the permanent point closure on Crowmeole Lane are subject to obtaining an order from the secretary of state. To obtain this, we're required to undertake a six-week public consultation exercise to ensure that there's a sufficient level of public support. 

Your views on this order, including whether or not you support it, are welcome. Please click the 'How to get involved' tab for details on how to comment.

Documents

• Crowmeole Lane Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR).pdf
• FAQs.pdf

You can also respond to this consultation in writing:

• Email: TellUs@shropshire.gov.uk
• Post: Feedback and Insight Team, Shropshire Council, Shirehall, Abbey Foregate, Shropshire SY2 6ND

If you'd like the survey questions in an alternative format, please email TellUs@shropshire.gov.uk and tell us of any support you need to allow you to respond.