Green light for safety measures
Traffic-calming measures are to be introduced in two Hamilton streets following an extensive consultation.
The measures, brought by South Lanarkshire Council, will help manage an increase in through traffic using Abercorn Drive and Chestnut Crescent.
The first consultation in 2019 had an initial proposal to prohibit driving on a section of Silvertonhill Avenue, however this was not taken forward.
A new proposal, for traffic calming and parking restrictions, was subject to an online questionnaire during August and September last year.
The consultation was advertised in the Hamilton Advertiser and on the council’s Twitter, Facebook and website – with almost 450 replies analysed and considered. And while the local authority say that the Covid-19 situation has led to a delay in analysing the returns, the exercise has now concluded.
Results showed 62 per cent of overall respondents agreed or strongly agreed with the trafficcalming proposals, with 75 per cent of respondents residing in the immediate area also agreeing or strongly agreeing.
Only 46 per cent of overall respondents agreed or strongly agreed with parking restrictions with 38 per cent of respondents residing in the immediate area agreeing or strongly agreeing.
Chair of South Lanarkshire Council’s Community and Enterprise Resources Committee, Councillor John Anderson, said: “we have listened to those who took the time to take part in the survey and we thank them for their feedback.
“Based on the comments received and the assessment of survey data it is considered that there is a case for change in this area.
“Overall, there was support across most respondents, particularly those from the residents living in immediate area, for traffic calming measures on Abercorn Drive and Chestnut Crescent.
“It is therefore proposed that this now be taken forward. Support for parking restrictions was limited and we therefore do not propose to proceed with this element of the proposal.
“Once travel patterns return to normal an assessment will be undertaken in relation to the potential for a residents parking permit scheme to be introduced in the area.”
Work is now underway to finalise the design, procure and programme the traffic calming work with completion currently expected to be by spring or summer.