A201 Blackfriars Station Redevelopment Permanent Highway Layout Road Safety Audit Stage 1/2 Ref: 1436/000/A201/TLRN/2011

Prepared for:

TfL London Routes and Places By:

Road Safety Audit TfL Better Routes and Places

Report Date: June 2011 Issue Version: A (Final)

A201 Blackfriars Station Redevelopment- Permanent Highway Layout Stage 1/2 Road Safety Audit Report

Safety Audit Document Control Sheet Audit Title:

A201 Blackfriars Station Redevelopment, Permanent Highway Layout

Audit Stage:

1/2

Audit Reference:

1436/000/A201/TLRN/2011

Prepared by:

Shane Martin

Checked by:

Andrew Coventry

Approved by:

David Condon

Version

Status

Date

A (Final)

Audit report issued to Client

17/06/2011

-

-

-

This sheet is for TfL Quality Assurance purposes only. It is not a requirement of the Audit Terms of Reference.

A201 Blackfriars Station Redevelopment- Permanent Highway Layout Stage 1/2 Road Safety Audit Report

1.0

INTRODUCTION

1.1

Commission

1.1.1

This report results from a Stage 1/2 Road Safety Audit carried out on the A201 Blackfriars Station Redevelopment, Permanent Highway Layout proposals.

1.1.2

The Audit was undertaken by TfL Better Routes and Places in accordance with the Audit Brief issued by the Client Organisation on 1st June 2011. The brief was updated following the provision of extra information on 3rd and 15th June 2011. The Audit took place at the Palestra offices of TfL between 1st and 17th June 2011 and comprised an examination of the documents provided as listed in Appendix A, plus visits to the site of the proposed scheme.

1.1.3

The visits to the site of the proposed scheme were made on 2nd and 6th June 2011. During the site visits the weather was sunny and the existing road surface was dry.

1.1.4

It is noted that works were underway within the Blackfriars Station site at the time of the visits, these works included screening around the majority of the site boundary. Therefore typical movements could not be observed, particularly pedestrians. However, this is considered less significant as existing movements / desire lines are likely to change due to the station redevelopment, dependant upon access / egress arrangements (see item 4.1).

1.2

Terms of Reference

1.2.1

The Terms of Reference of this Audit are as described in TfL Procedure SQA-0170. The Audit Team has examined and reported only on the road safety implications of the scheme as presented and has not examined or verified the compliance of the designs to any other criteria. However, to clearly explain a safety problem or the recommendation to resolve a problem the Audit Team may, on occasion, have referred to a design standard without touching on technical Audit.

1.2.2

Safety issues identified during the Audit and site visit that are considered to be outside the Terms of Reference, but which the Audit Team wishes to draw to the attention of the Client Organisation, are set out in section 4 of this report. Unless general to the scheme, all comments and recommendations are referenced to the detailed design drawings and the locations have been indicated on the A4 / plan located in Appendix B. In accordance with TfL Procedure SQA-0170, this Audit has a maximum shelf life of 2 years. Should the scheme not progress to the next stage in its development within this period, then the scheme should be re-Audited.

1.2.3

1.2.4

1.3 1.3.1

Main Parties to the Audit Client Organisation Client Officer: Senior Client Officer:

1.3.2

Design Organisations Designers:

Sarah Larmouth, TfL, London Routes & Places [email protected] Toyin Odusina, TfL, London Routes & Places [email protected] Tim Piper, TfL Traffic (cycle right turn facility) Alex Stebbings, Colin Buchannan (prelim design) Daniel Thomas, Ringway Jacobs (detailed design)

Audit Ref: 1436/000/A201/TLRN/2011 Date:

June 2011

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A201 Blackfriars Station Redevelopment- Permanent Highway Layout Stage 1/2 Road Safety Audit Report

1.3.3

1.4

Audit Team Audit Team Leader:

Shane Martin – TfL Better Routes & Places

Audit Team Member:

Andrew Coventry – TfL Better Routes & Places

Purpose of the Scheme The scheme proposals consist of various alterations to the road layout at this junction in order to accommodate the substantial redevelopment of Blackfriars Station. Works include the permanent reinstatement of this junction, additional cycle facilities including a right turn facility, significant alterations to the crossing provision / arrangements including removal of the pedestrian subway.

Audit Ref: 1436/000/A201/TLRN/2011 Date:

June 2011

Version: A

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2.0

ITEMS RAISED IN PREVIOUS ROAD SAFETY AUDITS A number of previous preliminary and interim Road Safety Audits have been completed in August 2010, January 2011, February 2011 and May 2011 on a range of separate aspects / previous incarnations of a scheme at this location. This Audit has been requested to assess the final complete design, and as such has been completed independently of any previous Audit. Due to the number of revised design elements within this scheme, no relevant comparison can be made with previous preliminary / interim Audits, which are regarded as superseded and therefore no longer relevant.

Audit Ref: 1436/000/A201/TLRN/2011 Date:

June 2011

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A201 Blackfriars Station Redevelopment- Permanent Highway Layout Stage 1/2 Road Safety Audit Report

3.0

ITEMS RAISED AT THIS STAGE 1/2 ROAD SAFETY AUDIT

3.1

PEDESTRIANS

3.1.1

PROBLEM Location: A – New Bridge Street near junction with Queen Victoria Street (drawing ref; Y4S00098A/OPTION_2 Rev 5) Summary: Increased conflicts between pedestrians and vehicles may occur. The proposals include removal of the existing crossing facility across New Bridge Street. An alternative route is available through the revised crossing facilities proposed, but it is unclear if this is a feasible route to be used by pedestrians. If users continue to cross at this location, they face increased risk of conflict as they attempt to cross four lanes of traffic unassisted. RECOMMENDATION Ensure that pedestrian desire lines are catered for and / or suitably altered to encourage safe crossing movements.

3.2

JUNCTIONS

3.2.1

PROBLEM Location: B – A201 Blackfriars Bridge / New Bridge Street junction with Queen Victoria Street (drawing ref; Y4S00098A/OPTION_2 Rev 5). Summary: Unclear layout may lead to increased ‘head on’ type collisions. The proposed layout results in an alignment between the offside lanes on Queen Victoria Street and the A201 Blackfriars Bridge / New Bridge Street, which may lead to users inadvertently entering the opposing lane, potentially resulting in ‘head on’ type collisions. RECOMMENDATION Ensure that the road layout clearly depicts the direction of traffic intended to use it, this may include adjustments to the alignment and / or additional signing to ensure users do not inadvertently enter an opposing lane.

3.2.2

PROBLEM Location: C – A201 Blackfriars Bridge / New Bridge Street near junction with Queen Victoria Street (drawing ref; Y4S00098A/OPTION_2 Rev 5). Summary: Potential for increased conflict due to proposed central island layout. Northbound users in the offside lane effectively encounter a sudden lane narrowing due to the layout of the central island as they continue north past Queen Victoria Street, potentially resulting in kerb strikes or evasive manoeuvres. This may be exacerbated whilst the nearside lane is occupied due to reduced visibility and vehicles (particularly larger vehicles) taking a wider line around this bend. RECOMMENDATION Provision of a smoother transition to the central island / effective lane narrowing may reduce the potential for kerb strikes or evasive manoeuvres.

Audit Ref: 1436/000/A201/TLRN/2011 Date:

June 2011

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A201 Blackfriars Station Redevelopment- Permanent Highway Layout Stage 1/2 Road Safety Audit Report

3.3

SIGNALS

3.3.1

PROBLEM Location: D – A201 Blackfriars Bridge / New Bridge Street near junction with Queen Victoria Street (drawing ref; Y4S00098A/OPTION_2 Rev 5 and 00_122 Full Input Data And Result). Summary: Pedestrians utilising the proposed at grade crossing may conflict with users entering from Queen Victoria Street. The proposed signal staging (see below) runs a green phase (C) for traffic exiting from Queen Victoria Street during the same stage (3) as pedestrians crossing the northbound running lanes (E) of the A201 Blackfriars Bridge / New Bridge Street. Pedestrians may not realise that the second part of the crossing across the southbound running lanes (F) runs under a separate stage. Users attempting to cross in one movement may not anticipate approaching traffic and therefore conflicts may arise.

Furthermore, the non preferred stagger combined with minimal space within the proposed central refuge island may result in pedestrians continuing straight ahead (approximately from west to east), rather than following the right/left stagger proposed. Users performing this manoeuvre further increase the potential for conflict with approaching vehicles as they effectively loose the protection of the traffic signals by crossing the southbound carriageway the wrong side of the stop line. RECOMMENDATION Reduce the potential for pedestrian / vehicular conflicts by altering the layout of the crossing facilities and / or the staging / layout of the traffic signals.

Audit Ref: 1436/000/A201/TLRN/2011 Date:

June 2011

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A201 Blackfriars Station Redevelopment- Permanent Highway Layout Stage 1/2 Road Safety Audit Report

3.3.2

PROBLEM Location: E – A201 Blackfriars Bridge junction with Victoria Embankment on slip(drawing ref; Y4S00098A/OPTION_2 Rev 5 and 00_006 Full Input Data And Result). Summary: Traffic signal staging may result in conflicts with pedestrians. The proposed signal stage 3 (see below) for the lower part of this junction permits green phases for links B and C (the southbound flows) during the same stage as E, the east – west pedestrian phase. If these phases are run at the same time then pedestrian conflicts with vehicular traffic are likely to occur as both users are effectively being given priority.

RECOMMENDATION The traffic signal staging should ensure that pedestrian phase E does not run at the same time as vehicle phases (B & C) which cross it. 3.3.3

PROBLEM Location: F – A201 Blackfriars Bridge / New Bridge Street junction with Blackfriars Passage (drawing ref; Y4S00098A/OPTION_2 Rev 5). Summary: Potential for conflict between cyclists and users exiting Blackfriars passage. The proposed layout includes a traffic signal controlled cycle crossing facility which terminates close to the Blackfriars Passage (give way) junction. As users exiting Blackfriars Passage do so via a give way regime, and do not encounter the stop line, (which effectively protects cyclists utilising the crossing) increased conflicts may occur. RECOMMENDATION Ensure that users of the cycle crossing facility are provided with a safe opportunity to cross. This may require incorporating the Blackfriars Passage junction within the proposed traffic signal control of this junction.

Audit Ref: 1436/000/A201/TLRN/2011 Date:

June 2011

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A201 Blackfriars Station Redevelopment- Permanent Highway Layout Stage 1/2 Road Safety Audit Report

3.4

CYCLE FACILITIES

3.4.1

PROBLEM Location: G – Victoria Embankment approach to A201 Blackfriars Bridge / New Bridge Street (drawing ref; Y4S00098A/OPTION_2 Rev 5). Summary: Minimal lane widths may result in poor lane discipline. The proposed lane widths at this point are 1.5m for advisory cycle lane / extended lead in to advanced stop line (ASL) and 2.6m for both running lanes. These minimal lane widths may result in poor lane discipline and a false sense of security for cyclists if other traffic regularly over-runs the cycle lane, potentially resulting in increased cycle conflicts. RECOMMENDATION Ensure lane widths are appropriate to safely accommodate the expected usage.

3.4.2

PROBLEM Location: H – A201 Blackfriars Bridge approach to Victoria Embankment junction (drawing ref; Y4S00098A/OPTION_2 Rev 5). Summary: Alignment through junction may result in increased cycle collisions. The proposed build out between the off and on slips for Victoria embankment effectively pushes northbound cyclists 0.5m closer to the nearside running lane and may result in increased conflicts. Furthermore, the long breaks within the cycle lane across both slip roads for Victoria Embankment present added vulnerability to cyclists from left turning vehicles (at the on slip) and traffic which may be approaching out of phase (queuing vehicles beyond the stop line or red light runners). The lack of cycle facilities at along these significant lengths, where cyclists are more vulnerable, may result in increased conflicts. RECOMMENDATION Provide additional features to highlight the potential presence of cyclists to improve consistency, provide guidance, and act as a reminder to be aware of cyclists.

End of list of Problems identified and Recommendations offered in this Stage 1/2 Audit

Audit Ref: 1436/000/A201/TLRN/2011 Date:

June 2011

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A201 Blackfriars Station Redevelopment- Permanent Highway Layout Stage 1/2 Road Safety Audit Report

4.0

ISSUES IDENTIFIED DURING THE STAGE 1/2 ROAD SAFETY AUDIT THAT ARE OUTSIDE THE TERMS OF REFERENCE Safety issues identified during the Audit and site inspection that are considered to be outside the Terms of Reference, but which the Audit Team wishes to draw to the attention of the Client Organisation, are set out in this section. These issues could include maintenance items, operational issues or existing poor provision. It is to be understood that, in raising these issues, the Audit Team in no way warrant that a full review of the highway environment has been undertaken beyond that necessary to undertake the Audit as commissioned.

4.1

ISSUE Location: General – Station access / egress points. Reason considered to be outside the Terms of Reference: Not a defined safety concern relating to the proposed measures. It is unclear how users will access and egress the station, therefore it is difficult to assume what the desire lines may be. Station access and egress arrangements should ensure that users do not inadvertently enter the carriageway and are encouraged to use crossing facilities.

4.2

ISSUE Location: 1 – Station / Y4S00098A/OPTION_2 Rev 5).

surrounding

footway

areas

(drawing

ref;

Reason considered to be outside the Terms of Reference: Not a defined safety concern relating to the proposed measures. The building extents at ground level are unclear and may result in pinch points within the footway if constructed as shown. It is assumed that the building extents shown do not relate to the ground level structure and therefore suitable footway width will actually be available. 4.3

ISSUE Location: 2 – Subway / Y4S00098A/OPTION_2 Rev 5).

cycle

right

turn

jug

handle

(drawing

ref;

Reason considered to be outside the Terms of Reference: Not a defined safety concern relating to the proposed measures. The proposed facility to take cyclists off the carriageway to enable them to safely wait prior to crossing the A201 Blackfriars Bridge / New Bridge Street appears to go over the area currently occupied by a pedestrian subway access. Furthermore this facility is not shown within the traffic signal staging provided. No details have been provided to clarify that the subway will be removed as part of this scheme, however the provision of at grade controlled crossing facilities and lack of alternative access arrangements led the Audit Team to presume that the subway will be removed.

Audit Ref: 1436/000/A201/TLRN/2011 Date:

June 2011

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A201 Blackfriars Station Redevelopment- Permanent Highway Layout Stage 1/2 Road Safety Audit Report

4.4

ISSUE Location: General – throughout scheme. Reason considered to be outside the Terms of Reference: Elements that could not be Audited in full. The traffic signal alterations could not be assessed in full as the full details could not be provided at this stage. Similarly the full extent of signing proposals could not be assessed as this was not shown within the drawings, However, the document ‘Blackfriars Signing Strategy’ was provided and detailed very minimal alterations to signing provision.

Audit Ref: 1436/000/A201/TLRN/2011 Date:

June 2011

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A201 Blackfriars Station Redevelopment- Permanent Highway Layout Stage 1/2 Road Safety Audit Report

5.0

AUDIT TEAM STATEMENT We certify that we have examined the drawings and documents listed in Appendix A. to this Safety Audit Report. The Road Safety Audit has been carried out with the sole purpose of identifying any feature that could be removed or modified in order to improve the safety of the measures. The problems identified have been noted in this report together with associated suggestions for safety improvements that we recommend should be studied for implementation. No one on the Audit Team has been involved with the design of the measures. AUDIT TEAM LEADER: Name:

Shane Martin MCIHT MSoRSA

Signed:

Position:

Senior Road Safety Auditor

Date: 17/06/2011

Organisation: Transport for London Road Safety Audit Better Routes and Places Address: 5th Floor Palestra, 197 Blackfriars Road, London, SE1 8NJ AUDIT TEAM MEMBER: Name:

Andrew Coventry BEng (Hons), CMILT, MCIHT MSoRSA

Position: Senior Road Safety Auditor Organisation: Transport for London Road Safety Audit Better Routes and Places Address: 5th Floor Palestra, 197 Blackfriars Road, London, SE1 8NJ

Audit Ref: 1436/000/A201/TLRN/2011 Date:

June 2011

Signed: Date: 17/06/2011

Version: A

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A201 Blackfriars Station Redevelopment- Permanent Highway Layout Stage 1/2 Road Safety Audit Report

APPENDIX A Documents Forming the Audit Brief DRAWINGS • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

No. Y4S00098A / Option_2 Rev 5 – Blackfriars Phase 3 Permanent Layout, Alignment option 2 No. Y4S00098A/GA/001 Rev 1 – Blackfriars Phase 3 Permanent Layout, General Arrangement 1 of 4 No. Y4S00098A/GA/002 Rev 1 – Blackfriars Phase 3 Permanent Layout, General Arrangement 2 of 4 No. Y4S00098A/GA/003 Rev 1 – Blackfriars Phase 3 Permanent Layout, General Arrangement 3 of 4 No. Y4S00098A/GA/004 Rev 1 – Blackfriars Phase 3 Permanent Layout, General Arrangement 4 of 4 No. Y4S00098A/200/001 Rev 0 – Blackfriars Phase 3 Permanent Layout, Site Clearance 1 of 4 No. Y4S00098A/200/002 Rev 0 – Blackfriars Phase 3 Permanent Layout, Site Clearance 2 of 4 No. Y4S00098A/200/003 Rev 0 – Blackfriars Phase 3 Permanent Layout, Site Clearance 3 of 4 No. Y4S00098A/200/004 Rev 0 – Blackfriars Phase 3 Permanent Layout, Site Clearance 4 of 4 No. Y4S00098A/500/001_Rev_1 – Blackfriars Phase 3 Permanent Layout, Street Lighting and Traffic Signal Ducting 1 of 4 No. Y4S00098A/500/002_Rev_1 – Blackfriars Phase 3 Permanent Layout, Street Lighting and Traffic Signal Ducting 2 of 4 No. Y4S00098A/500/003_Rev_1 – Blackfriars Phase 3 Permanent Layout, Street Lighting and Traffic Signal Ducting 3 of 4 No. Y4S00098A/500/004_Rev_1 – Blackfriars Phase 3 Permanent Layout, Street Lighting and Traffic Signal Ducting 4 of 4 No. Y4S00098A/700/001 Rev 0 – Blackfriars Phase 3 Permanent Layout, Carraigeway Resurfacing 1 of 4 No. Y4S00098A/700/002 Rev 0 – Blackfriars Phase 3 Permanent Layout, Carraigeway Resurfacing 2 0f 4 No. Y4S00098A/700/003 Rev 0 – Blackfriars Phase 3 Permanent Layout, Carraigeway Resurfacing 3 of 4 No. Y4S00098A/700/004 Rev 0 – Blackfriars Phase 3 Permanent Layout, Carraigeway Resurfacing 4 of 4 No. Y4S00098A/1100/001 Rev 0 – Blackfriars Phase 3 Permanent Layout, Kerbs, Footways and Paved Areas 1 of 4 No. Y4S00098A/1100/002 Rev 0 – Blackfriars Phase 3 Permanent Layout, Kerbs, Footways and Paved Areas 2 of 4 No. Y4S00098A/1100/003 Rev 0 – Blackfriars Phase 3 Permanent Layout, Kerbs, Footways and Paved Areas 3 of 4 No. Y4S00098A/1100/004 Rev 0 – Blackfriars Phase 3 Permanent Layout, Kerbs, Footways and Paved Areas 4 of 4

Audit Ref: 1436/000/A201/TLRN/2011 Date:

June 2011

Version: A

A201 Blackfriars Station Redevelopment- Permanent Highway Layout Stage 1/2 Road Safety Audit Report

• • • • • • • • •

No. Y4S00098A/1200/001 Rev 0 – Blackfriars Phase 3 Permanent Layout, Traffic Signs and Road Markings 1 of 4 No. Y4S00098A/1200/002 Rev 0 – Blackfriars Phase 3 Permanent Layout, Traffic Signs and Road Markings 2 of 4 No. Y4S00098A/1200/003 Rev 0 – Blackfriars Phase 3 Permanent Layout, Traffic Signs and Road Markings 3 of 4 No. Y4S00098A/1200/004 Rev 0 – Blackfriars Phase 3 Permanent Layout, Traffic Signs and Road Markings 4 of 4 No. Y4S00098A/1300/001 Rev 1 – Blackfriars Phase 3, Blackfriars Junction Proposed Lighting Design 1 of 2 No. Y4S00098A/1300/002 Rev 1 – Blackfriars Phase 3, Blackfriars Junction Proposed Lighting Design 2 of 2 No. Y4S00098A/1400/001_Rev_1 – Blackfriars Phase 3 Blackfriars Junction Proposed Electrical Design Sheet 1 of 3 No. Y4S00098A/1400/002_Rev_1 – Blackfriars Phase 3 Blackfriars Junction Proposed Electrical Design Sheet 2 of 4 No. Y4S00098A/1400/003_Rev_1 – Blackfriars Phase 3 Blackfriars Junction Proposed Electrical Design Sheet 3 of 4

DOCUMENTS • Safety Audit Brief Checklist • Blackfriars Signing Strategy – January 2011 Draft Issue no.1 Previous Road Safety Audit Reports • 1276 Blackfriars Station Preliminary Audit Report (Stage 1) Rev A dated 13/08/2010 • 1370 Blackfriars Station Interim Audit Report (Stage 1) rev A dated 04/01/2011 • 1370 Blackfriars Station Interim Audit Report (Stage 1) rev B dated 02/02/2011 • 1406.01 Blackfriars Station Interim Audit Report (Stage 1) dated 17/02/2011 • 1406.02 Blackfriars Station Interim Audit Report (Stage 2) dated 09/05/2011 Designers Responses • 1276 Designers Response with TfL comments V0.1 • 1406 Safety Audit Response Blackfriars Other information • Accident data – sticks and interpreted listings 36 months to Jan 2011 • 00_006 Full Input Data And Result – Traffic signal staging and timing data • 00_122 Full Input Data And Results – Traffic signal staging and timing data • LINK COUNTS CLIENT • Micro-Simulation Technical Note 02 • Network Diagram Base • Network Diagram Proposed • TRANSYT results

Audit Ref: 1436/000/A201/TLRN/2011 Date:

June 2011

Version: A

A201 Blackfriars Station Redevelopment- Permanent Highway Layout Stage 1/2 Road Safety Audit Report

APPENDIX B Problem Locations

Audit Ref: 1436/000/A201/TLRN/2011 Date:

June 2011

Version: A

A

C B 2

1

D G F

H

E