Design proposals

Scheme Background

As part of the Local Safety Scheme (LSS) Programme for 2024 – 2025 an analysis of all Personal Injury Collisions (PICs) was completed for the City of Westminster. This analysis was completed using the 36-month accident data up to the end of February 2023. This analysis highlights locations where there has been a minimum of 2 Killed or Seriously Injured (KSI) collisions within a 50-metre radius. 

It was requested that a study be completed for this junction of Harrow Road, Bourne Terrace and Torquay Street to provide design solutions and to assess the feasibility of implementing such proposals to reduce both the frequency and severity of PIC's.

The picture above shows the PIC's recorded at this location which this scheme aims to address. 

Proposals

Proposed Road Safety Improvements

The proposed design is aims to achieve several key measures as follows. 

• Increase visibility in the junction through the removal of traffic islands. 
• Enhance pedestrian safety with kerb build outs to reduce crossing distances and installation of updated specification tactile paving. 
• Encourage safer driving behaviours through the implementation of a raised table at the junction. 
• Removal illegal loading between the bus stop and southbound Harrow Road entrance to the junction through the re-location of the bus stop and shelter, implementation of SuDS along the kerb line and a loading bay on Bourne Terrace.
• Finally, to enhance cyclist safety through the implementation of bus lanes along Harrow Road. 

CROSSING IMPROVEMENTS 

The proposed measures aim to create a safer junction by addressing key risks associated with pedestrian crossings and vehicle movement. 

A raised table for the entire junction is designed to slow down approaching vehicles, as the change in surface naturally encourages drivers to reduce their speed. Lower speeds mean shorter stopping distances, giving pedestrians more time to cross safely, while also signalling to drivers that they are entering a pedestrian-prioritized area. 

The removal of traffic islands further enhances safety by eliminating the risk of pedestrians pausing mid crossing, which can encourage unsafe behaviour. Instead of crossing in two stages and waiting in potentially dangerous positions, pedestrians are encouraged to cross in one clear movement, while the absence of traffic islands improves visibility for both pedestrians and drivers. 

Kerb build-outs contribute to safety by reducing the width of the road pedestrians must cross, minimizing their exposure to moving traffic and shortening crossing times. Additionally, narrowing driving lanes through kerb extensions naturally slows down vehicles, reinforcing the overall calming effect of the junction modifications. 

The combination of these measures creates a more controlled and predictable environment, fostering safer interactions between pedestrians and drivers through reduced speeds, improved visibility, and shorter crossing distances. 

LOADING AREA IMPROVEMENTS 

To address the loading issues that have directly led to accidents in this location, multiple measures have been proposed. 

Firstly, the bus stop has been relocated further towards the junction to reduce the available loading area. The kerb has then been built out as discussed in above, which allow for a single lane of traffic for the southbound entrance. 

This should reduce the risk of a vehicle attempting to load in this location as they would be blocking access to the junction. Additionally low-level planting/SuDS have been proposed along this kerb line to further discourage loading in this area. Finally, a loading bay has been proposed on Bourne Terrace to accommodate the businesses in the area. 

CYCLIST SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS 

To improve cyclist safety bus lanes have been introduced on the length of Harrow Road between the junction with Bourne Terrace/Torquay Street and the junction with Cirencester Street. 

This will allow cyclists to be clear of all traffic other than buses for this stretch. Additionally, ASLs have been retained on Harrow Road, as well as a tapered cycle lane for the southbound entrance. An ASL has also been proposed at the Bourne Terrace entrance. 

TRAFFIC SIGNALS 

To ensure safety at the junction, it is recommended to maintain the existing PCaTS (Pedestrian Countdown at Traffic Signal) across the whole junction. This would encourage pedestrians to wait at the crossing until the countdown provides sufficient time to cross. 

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