Alphington Village Public Realm Enhancements – Part 2

Background

A consultation was undertaken on proposals for public realm improvements in Alphington from 1 December 2021 to 31 January 2022. This consultation sought feedback on different options for three areas of Alphington and was informed by work which had been undertaken previously. A consultation report was produced summarising the views received and conclusions from the consultation. This can be viewed on the South West Exeter webpage.

Following the consultation, design work has been undertaken, informed by the views received in the consultation.

The consultation identified support for a zebra crossing at the Alphin Brook roundabout, close to an existing crossing point. Some respondents raised concerns about the zebra crossing at this location, close to the roundabout. The design went through a safety audit process and is acceptable from a safety perspective. It is also in an appropriate location where people want to cross and have been doing so. One option provided in the previous consultation was to have raised zebra crossings. This has not been progressed due to the additional cost, the potential additional noise and need to review drainage. The benefits of the crossing point remain.

Given support for this part of the scheme, it has been progressed. This scheme included widening of nearby pavements, including at the Brookfield Gardens junction to improve facilities for pedestrians (see Appendix A).

What we are consulting on

Design work undertaken to progress the scheme following the consultation has raised further opportunities for the scheme and we would like to get additional feedback before progressing with delivery of the proposals.

The aims and focus of the scheme remain the same.  The aims are to reduce speeds, improve the public realm and improve facilities for sustainable travel.  The area covered by the scheme is the Church Road/Chudleigh Road corridor, between the Alphin Brook roundabout and the double mini roundabout.

The scheme is proposed to be delivered by funding to be received from the new development in the area.  Funding is currently available to forward fund and deliver the scheme in advance of the money being received from the development.  Subject to the consultation, it is expected that the scheme will be delivered this financial year.  The cost of the scheme is critical, and the scheme must be deliverable within the funding available.

The different elements are described below. We invite your feedback on these. Drawings showing an overview of the scheme are included in Appendix B.

Proposal 1) Pavement widening

Pavement widening is proposed on both sides of Church Road. The aim of this is to improve facilities for pedestrians. Widening on the western side of Church Road was not previously proposed as the pavement level is below the road. This is being reviewed and is proposed to be delivered if achievable. An additional benefit of widening the pavement is the reduction in road width, which is expected to help reduce vehicle speeds through Alphington.

Proposal 2) Parking

The design which has been undertaken has identified the potential to increase the parking provision by amending the existing double yellow lines. Any changes to double yellow lines will need to be formally advertised. In addition to providing additional parking opportunities, parked cars can help in reducing vehicle speeds. Both of these points were raised in the previous consultation. As well as two new locations for parking, there is an opportunity for amendments to two existing parking locations.

Proposal 2a)  Parking on the western side of Church Road

This parking area is created by amending the existing double yellow lines. It is proposed to limit the length of time people can park in this location, given its proximity to Marsh Barton.

Proposal 2b) Existing parking area by the church

This parking area currently provides up to four spaces, which do not have a restriction on the length of time people can park for. Views are sought on whether to introduce a restriction for this parking area.

Proposal 2c) Parking in former bus layby

Vehicles currently park in a former bus layby on Chudleigh Road, but this involves vehicles parking partly on the pavement and requires vehicles to reverse onto the road. It is proposed to formalise parking in this area. This includes providing parallel spaces within the former bus layby and amending the double yellow lines to provide spaces on the other side of the road, which should stop vehicles parking partly on the pavement. An existing disabled parking space is proposed to be retained, although this is to be located on the opposite side of the road.

Proposal 2d) Parking on the western side of Chudleigh Road

Vehicles can currently park on some parts of Chudleigh Road, with double yellow lines restricting parking on other sections. It is proposed to remove a section of double yellow lines on Chudleigh Road, to the north of Cludens Close, to provide an additional area which can be used for parking.

Proposal 3) Build out and give way

The principle of a build out on Chudleigh Road to require vehicles to slow down and give way was included in the previous consultation. The exact location was subject to detailed design.

This has been investigated further and two build outs and requirements for vehicles to give way are proposed. The original location has been moved to the opposite side of the road, further from properties directly fronting onto Chudleigh Road. An additional build out and give way is proposed to the north of Cludens Close.

Proposal 4) Crossing point at double mini roundabouts

An option for a zebra crossing on Chudleigh Road, to the north of the double mini roundabouts was included in the previous consultation. A review of proposals in this location has identified the potential to increase the size of the island at this location, instead of delivering a zebra crossing. This would narrow the width of the road, reducing the distance for pedestrians to cross and slowing vehicles.

Proposal 5) Increased height of roundabout markings

An additional proposal has been identified through the design, which is to raise the height of the markings on the double mini roundabout. Currently the markings can be driven over. Raising the height of the markings may help to reduce the speed of vehicles by encouraging them to drive around, rather than over, the markings.

Proposal 6) Changes to signage

Currently road signs direct vehicles through Alphington towards Dawlish. To discourage this, it is proposed to amend the signage so that vehicles are directed through Marsh Barton, which is considered to be a more suitable route. This may reduce the number of vehicles travelling through Alphington and was raised by respondents in the previous consultation.

Proposal 7) Centre line removal

It is proposed that the centre line in the road will be removed where possible. The aim of this is to slow vehicles speeds.

Share your views

Please let us have your comments by 26 July 2023 via our online survey:

Alternatively, to request a paper copy of the consultation leaflet and or the survey:

• email us at swexeter@devon.gov.uk 
• write to us at SW Exeter, Room 120, County Hall, Topsham Road, Exeter, EX2 4QD

Appendix A

Plan showing works that have taken place at Alphin Brook roundabout in Alphington. This includes a new zebra crossing on Church Road and widening of nearby pavements, including at the Brookfield Gardens junction to improve facilities for pedestrians.

Appendix B

Plans showing proposed works between Brookfield Gardens and just south of Ide Lane, in Alphington. This includes proposals 1, 2a and 2b.

Plans showing proposed works between Ide Lane and the double mini roundabout in Alphington. This includes proposal 2c, 2d, 3, 4 and 5.

Accessibility

We take accessibility seriously and recognise that some of the information presented in the files available on this page may not be fully accessible to someone using assistive technology such as a screen reader. If you need guidance or an alternative format, email plan.southwestexeter-mailbox@devon.gov.uk with details of any preferred format and the assistive technology you use.

What happens next

Once all of your comments have been reviewed, a consultation report will be prepared and published on our website: www.devon.gov.uk/swexeter.  Based on your feedback we will finalise the proposal for public realm enhancements in Alphington before delivering the improvements.  This will include a final costing of proposals to ensure that it is deliverable within the funding which is available.