Traffic Calming Removal Consultation – Taylor Street, Forfar

In November 2006, Angus Council’s Infrastructure Services Committee agreed to the installation of physical traffic calming measures in Taylor Street in Forfar. The speed cushions currently in place were installed under a Scottish Executive initiative to provide 20mph speed limits and associated measures around schools.

The new Forfar Academy Campus opened in February 2017 with the new school layout including significant changes to access and traffic management arrangements that were in place for the old school. The new Campus has its main vehicular access off Kirriemuir Road and school bus transport drops off and picks up from this access, as opposed to previously from Bankhead Terrace. A purpose-built pedestrian and cycle access remains for the Academy on Taylor Street.

Although the main access to the new Forfar Academy is taken off Kirriemuir Road, a recent survey has confirmed that approximately 600 pupils access the academy from Taylor Street twice a day. On average, 19 cars drop off children in the morning, with 331 children crossing over Taylor Street to use the access whilst 260 children use the north side footway, without crossing Taylor Street to gain access. Figures are similar for pupil movements at the end of the day when leaving the school.

The existing layout of the traffic calming measures in Taylor Street is in accordance with current legislation for road humps; removal of some of the speed cushions with a view to having less along the street is not a viable option, as positioning of traffic calming measures is subject to strict design guidance.

Taylor Street is subject to a mandatory 20mph speed limit. If the speed cushions were removed, this speed limit would remain; however it should be noted that the presence of physical traffic calming measures within a 20mph speed limit are intended to make the speed limit self-enforcing.

Following a request from a local member from the Forfar area to consider removal of the existing traffic calming measures in Taylor Street, Forfar; Angus Council’s Communities Committee agreed to undertake consultation on the proposal to remove the traffic calming measures.

Under the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 local authorities must consult with interested parties, including Police, Ambulance and Fire Services along with you as the occupiers of house frontages on affected streets. Therefore your opinion is being sought on whether or not you are in agreement with the removal of the speed cushions from Taylor Street.