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DAMSONPARKWAY
Update: Saturday 4 March 2006
The report below follows a
succession of meetings I have held with Land Rover site managers. I wish to
publicly thank the work of Russell Downing, a resident of Lansdale Avenue,
who has been instrumental in negotiating the agreement.
HGV’S ON DAMSON PARKWAY
I can report some excellent
news for residents of both Damson
Lane and Damson Parkway in respect of the
numbers of HGV’s that travel to and from the Land Rover entrance in Damson Lane.
I, and a resident of Lansdale Avenue,
Russell Downing, met with Land Rover site managers, on Friday 24 February
2006. We raised many issues and can report progress on the following:
·
Numbers
of HGV’s (1) –
From August 2006 the Freelander vehicle will no longer be produced at Lode Lane. This
will mean a reduction of 10,400 vehicle
movements per annum. In addition, Land Rover are looking at using the space
created in the plant and use it to stock finished vehicles instead of
transporting them to Gaydon. If this is done it is expected that 50% of all vehicle transporters will
use the A45 route because they will be taking these vehicles to
distributors all over the country and not just to Gaydon for stockpiling.
·
Numbers
of HGV’s (2) -
hauliers who should not use the Damson
Parkway route have been identified and action
is being taken to discipline any driver who flouts this. There are though
hauliers who can legally use the parkway route. This includes most vehicle
transporters.
·
Voluntary
speed limit – The usual contracted drivers are, as far as can be
ascertained, keeping to the voluntary speed limit. You may recall this was negotiated by Russell and I last June (someone else since reported this in
political literature last October/November). All drivers, even those of
contractors who do not regularly visit the site, will be given
documentation to show that Land Rover expects all visitors to the site to
confirm to the voluntary speed limit. They will take action against any
driver who flouts this.
·
Multi-vehicles
– Land Rover will take action to prevent more than one vehicle
transporter leaving the plant together. They will enforce a 5 minute gap
between vehicles. This will eliminate the scenario where two transporters
block junctions, especially near the junction with the Warwick Road.
·
Noise
(Transporters) – Transporter contractors are investing £3.5
million in the development of quieter vehicle transporters. This equates to
£225 for each vehicle. When one is available Land Rover will
‘showcase’ it to evidence that it will do what it is expected.
·
Noise
(Roads) – Damson
Parkway is to be resurfacing (in the early
part of this financial year) with ‘quiet’ road surface
materials. Evidence shows that noise levels from vehicles will be reduced
by us to 3.5dB(A). This will certainly help reduce
the fear that the vehicles are travelling far faster than they are, as well
as reduce noise levels in general.
·
Landscaping
in Damson Lane
– the central reservation in Damson Lane (near the rear exits) and
verges will be landscaped in the very near future. Land Rover report having
problems with certain contractors and are now awarding the contract to a
new company.
In addition, I am pushing for
signage to show that speed camera’s operate
in the area. Research by the police show that, although some vehicles do in
fact exceed the speed limit, 85% of all traffic travel at speeds between 43
and 49 miles per hour. The mere presence of signs, as well as the
occasional police presence, may bring the speed down even further. I do
agree with the police that 40mph is appropriate for Damson Parkway – but it needs
to be enforced!
The proof is always in the
pudding and it is important that residents know that action will be taken
if drivers flout the regulations. Land Rover managers treat all complaints
seriously. They have devoted me a great deal of time these issues arose
(shortly after me becoming your councillor!). They are able to identify
drivers of vehicle, even if the registration numbers are not known. Just
note the time and date, description of vehicle, contractors logo (vehicle registration
mark will help even further though) and notify me. I am more than willing
to pass all complaints onto site managers.
I think you will agree that
this is excellent news for residents of Damson Parkway, Damson Lane and Damson Wood. There is
a quality of life issue because of the noise and general disturbance
created by the HGV’s, vehicle transporters especially. It must be
recognised however that the transporters are operated by private companies
and that these vehicles use about 7 miles to the gallon – therefore
they will try to use the most direct legal route.
Many residents will know that
redundancies were announced at the plant just prior to Christmas. Ford
(owners of Land Rover) have recently closed (or are closing) 14 plants in
the USA
and worldwide. We need to ensure that any demands on Land Rover do not
comprise their future. With the Freelander model moving to Hailwood, Solihull can
not lose anymore jobs. However, your quality of life should not be
compromised.
I think what Russell and I
have achieved is excellent news and relief to residents of Damson Parkway
in general. There are identified measures to show the reduction of
HGV’s, to and from Land Rover, using the Damson Parkway route. We intend to
keep monitoring the usage and will audit the numbers of vehicle movements
(when it is a bit warmer!).
(Next update: Land Rover
taken care of – now, what’s Ken doing about the second runway
threat. See www.cllrkenhawkins.com
for an immediate update (or wait for the newsletter, which will be along
shortly)).
Latest Update – 27 July 2005
All residents of Damson
Parkway have received a newsletter outlining what Land Rover are trying to
do to alleviate the number and speed of HGV’s travelling along Damson
Parkway. Again, my thanks to Russell Downing and neighbours who have
conducted audits of vehicle movements – these audits do seem to
compare with the ones Land Rover had done.
Talk is cheep and we now
need to ensure there is a reduction in the number of HGV’s and that
they do adhere to the (voluntary) 35mph speed limit.
In relation to the speed
limit – I have consulted with a sample of residents (some 70
addresses in Damson Parkway).
The vast, overwhelming, view is that 40mph is right for Damson Parkway and that we need to
get more motorists to adhere to this speed. I had three people state it
should be reduced.
What is needed is for
Solihull Police to do more speed checks on the road itself. I know that Solihull’s highways department is going to look
at road markings to try and encourage lower overall speeds.
Update April 2005
I met with the Site
Manager, Solihull Land Rover on Thursday 31 March 2005. Accompanying me was a resident
from Lansdale Avenue,
who was able to provide a perspective from a resident’s point of
view.
The main outcome from the
meeting was that Land Rover is to do an inventory of heavy goods vehicles
(HGV’s) visiting their site. This will entail numbers of vehicles and
their route into the site. Once this has been undertaken we will meet again
to discuss ways to reduce the number of HGV’s on Damsonparkway.
I am pleased the road
works are nearing completion. Hopefully the road layout will encourage more
HGV’s to use Damson Lane
and the A45 to and from the rear site entrance, however only time will
tell. Please be aware that as the works have taken so long the planting
time slot was missed meaning shrubs and tree’s
will not be planted until next Autumn (they will no doubt die if planted
now and we have a nice Summer).
I will update this site
when there is more concrete information. I will also be sending out my
normal newsletter informing residents. I hope to have more substantial
information at the end of April or beginning of May.
Update – 25
March 2005
I am meeting with the site
manager of Land Rover, Mr. Robert Parkes at 2pm Thursday
31 March 2005. Also present will be a resident from Lansdale Avenue.
I have called the meeting to impress upon Land Rover to do more to reduce
the number of heavy goods vehicles travelling to the rear entrance of the
Land Rover site via Damsonparkway. Following the meeting I will update this
website and also report back to residents via my normal leaflet drop.
Re: Road works at Rear of Land Rover/Damson Lane
I am appalled at the time
it has taken to complete the road works. At a Land Rover environmental
forum meeting (November 2004) we were promised the work will be finished by
Christmas – all at the meeting
thought they meant last Christmas. It appears the contractor, CJ Pearce
are having sub-contractor problems. I have impressed upon SMBC’s
transport and highways department that this must be sorted out. I will be
seeking a response from the Council’s Cabinet member for Transport
and highways at the next full council meeting (Tuesday 12 April 2005). Again, I will be
updating residents with more information – as soon as I can. Please
pass these updates on to other residents who may not have access to the
internet.
PREVIOUS UPDATES BELOW:
When consulting with
residents the issue of car transporters travelling on Damsonparkway was
identified. The sheer size and weight of these vehicles create a fear in
pedestrians and cyclists. I have written to Land Rover requesting they do
all that is possible to ensure that drivers of the vehicles (which are not
owned by Land Rover) turn left out of Land Rover, towards the A45, and not
travel along Damsonparkway. The safest route is along the main arterial
roads and drivers must not use Damsonparkway as a short cut. Land Rover is
very responsive to resident’s feelings and is working to remove the
problem.
I have copied below a
letter I have sent to the managing director at Land Rover, Solihull,
I will be meeting with representatives of Land Rover at a forum/working
party on 9 November 2004.
I will report back to you what was agreed.
Managing Director,
Land Rover,
Lode Lane,
Solihull,
West Midlands,
26 October 2004.
Dear Sir,
Re:
Car Transporters on Damsonparkway.
You may be aware of recent reports in
the local Solihull newspapers regarding
the use of Damsonparkway by car transporters. The issue has been a concern
for residents of Damsonparkway, not only because of the noise made, but
also because of the danger such large vehicles create.
At the last Land Rover forum I mentioned
this issue, asking for Land Rover to take some positive action to prevent
the drivers of car transporters from travelling along Damsonparkway. I have
to say that there has been little improvement. I was informed a sign
requesting drivers to turn left, out of the rear exit of the plant, towards
the A45 would be put in place. Has this been done? The improvements to the
road junction at the exit, and a part of Damson Lane, makes it far easier for
the large vehicles to turn towards the A45. Many residents agreed, albeit
reluctantly, to the removal of tree’s for the overall benefit to
their quality of life by the reduction of car transporters on
Damsonparkway.
May I urge you to encourage drivers not
to drive along Damsonparkway and to take serious action against those that
flout ours, and your wishes? I would like to report to residents what
actions you intend to put in place.
I do have details of vehicles which
regularly used Damsonparkway during the summer. Residents took details of
the vehicle owners and registration marks.
I do look forward to meeting with you at
the next Land Rover forum, on 9 November next.
Yours sincerely,
Ken Hawkins,
Councillor, Elmdon Ward.
Update: Reply from Land Rover.
LAND ROVER
5 November 2004
Councillor Ken
Hawkins MA
3 Felgate Close
Shirley
Solihull
B904XU
Dear Councillor
Hawkins
Thank you for your letter dated 26
October that has been passed to myself for response.
Since our last
Environment Forum held last year, the company has monitored the movement
of
large vehicles from Damson
Parkway gate along the Parkway. A letter has
been issued
recently to all
transport contract managers informing them of speed limits along thai stretch of
road
and the importance of their drivers adhering, at all times, to those hmits. Land Rover has
also committed to
follow up any complaint from the community of any offending driver,
whether
they be speeding or driving without due care. Should the resident be able
to provide
a registration
number, the offending driver will be given a warning and if there is any
repeat
of
an offence, the said driver will be removed from the Land Rover contract.
Where possible the
A45 is the preferred route for all transport in and out of the factory, but
a
statement agreeing
to move all traffic from Damson
Parkway has never been made; vehicles
travelling
along this route depend upon the end destination of their cargo. For
instance, i f
they are
travelling south towards the deep-sea ports for onward transportation, they
need lo
use
that route. The reason that this is the preferred route is that there would
be a knock-on
effect
for customer delivery and vast increases in transport costs.
Land Rover does
its utmost to create as little disturbance to the surrounding borough as
possible.
Therefore, the movement of traffic in and outbound will continue to be
monitored
from the east end
of the works, in order to cause the least amount of concern to the local
residents.
However, the Land Rover
Environmental team will be more than happy to discuss this issue
on
Tuesday evening.
Yours sincerely
Judith Maiden
Press &
Public Affairs
Update – 11.11.04
I attended a Land Rover
Environment Forum on 9
November 2004. I was also able to invite Russell Downing, of Lansdale Avenue,
Damsonparkway (he had written letters to local newspapers). At the meeting
I called upon Land Rover to stop all movements of heavy goods vehicles
(HGV’s) to and from the plant via Damsonparkway.
Whilst Land Rover was
sympathetic to residents concerns they state they can not prevent some
contractors driving along Damsonparkway. They point out that
contractor’s vehicles heading towards the deep sea ports will use
this route as it is about 3 miles shorter than travelling via the A45 and
M42. My personal view is that all HGV’s should travel to and from the
site via the A45 – this will make Damsonparkway feel a great deal
safer to residents and stem the noise created, especially by unladen
vehicles. 92 HGV’s were recorded as travelling to and from Land
Rover, via Damsonparkway during a period on one day alone!
Land Rover point out that
the highway work being undertaken in Damson Lane will, hopefully,
encourage HGV’s to turn left out of the exit towards the A45. They
can not guarantee this. They do however wish to be informed of any vehicle
details which is being driven in a careless and dangerous manner or
exceeding the speed limit. Any contractor’s driver found breaking the
speed limit will not be allowed into the site. I welcome this.
I will now write to
Solihull Police requesting speed checks along Damsonparkway. Hopefully this
will discourage excess speed and make the highway safer. I will also
request that their traffic officer’s stop-check HGV vehicles to
ensure the vehicle using Damsonparkway are safe and that drivers are
conforming to regulations surrounding driver’s hours. I will post a
copy of this letter on this web site.
Update 08 January 2005
Below is a copy of a
letter I have sent to Chief Superintendent Jim McGinty, Solihull Police
Station. I purposely left sending the letter until the New Year because the
police would have had other priorities prior to Christmas and also to
coincide with the completed road works outside the rear entrance of land
Rover in Damson Lane.
Chief Superintendent McGinty,
Solihull Police Station,
Homer Road,
SOLIHULL.
8 January 2005.
Dear Chief Superintendent,
On behalf of residents I wish to raise a highways issue with you
and seek increased police activity to deter speeding vehicles and other
traffic offences in Damsonparkway, Solihull.
I have had numerous complaints from residents of Damson Parkway about the speed of
motor cars and goods vehicles travelling along Damsonparkway. The road has
a restriction of 40 mph, but residents suspect this speed is being exceeded
by many roads users. I can confirm this from my own observations. The issue
of speed seems to have been exacerbated because of the increased usage of
Damsonparkway as a result of recent closures of the M42 between junctions 5
and 6, as well as motorway road works. I ask that your officers conduct
speed checks in order to monitor vehicle speed and enhance road safety.
From my own observations I have witnessed heavy goods vehicles
being driven along Damsonparkway in at speed or in an erratic manner, with
drivers sometimes using mobile telephones. This is causing great concern to
residents. There does appear to be more goods vehicles using Damsonparkway
since works began on the M42 motorway and, on behalf of residents, I ask
that traffic officers conduct regular checks to ensure heavy goods vehicle
drivers are operating within the law in relation to drivers hours
especially.
I am sure the greater visibility of police conducting these
essential road safety checks in Damsonparkway will be very much appreciated
by residents and may just prevent a serious road accident from occurring.
I wish you and all officers and support staff at Solihull
Police Station and happy, healthy and peaceful 2005.
Yours faithfully,
Ken Hawkins
Councillor, Elmdon Ward.
Update: 12
January 2005
An extremely swift and
welcome reply from Solihull Police Station – Sgt Breeze, Traffic
Department. I have copied his letter below:
Dear Mr Hawkins,
Solihull Police Station
Homer
Road
Solihull
West Midlands
B91 3QT
Tel: 0121-712 6010 Extn:
6726
Your Ref:
Our Ref:
Please Ask For:Sgt 205 Richard Breeze
Date:11 January 2005
Thank you for your letter dated 8th January 2005 regarding the speed of
vehicles along Damson Parkway.
I am
currently
reviewing the speed on this road working together with Solihull
Council and have recently instigated
speed data lines to be placed on the carriageway to
determine the exact problem we are dealing with.
The
irresponsible use of speed causes me grave concerns and there are two main method
of enforcement that
I use. Overt
methods such as hand held "Pro Laser" are effective for a short
time before motorists warn each
other of my activities with flashing headlights there
after the speed check becomes ineffective. The second
method
is to use a covert traffic car, this if most productive in prosecuting
offenders but due to the nature of the
car does not promote our activities as only the
offending driver is generally aware of our presence. I regret that
in
either case as soon as my staff moves on the speeding problem immediately
returns and complaints such as
this are mirrored across the Borough.
I
will be conducting speed checks along this road and did so only a few
nights ago to deal with a separate
complaint I received about the excess speed of vehicles
from Landrover. I can report that this check did
not
yield any prosecutions.
There
are also plans in place to introduce a two-week speed campaign to try and
make drivers more
responsible for their actions. One of the locations
listed for this initiative is Damson
Parkway where there will
be a combination of posters, the use of "Speedvisor" and police enforcement.
Please pass on this information to the residents in your ward and If
I can of any further help please do not
hesitate to contact me.
Yours
faithfully,
Richard Breeze
Traffic Sergeant Solihull Police Station.
Hopefully these activities
will go some way to making Damson
Parkway a much safer road for all.
PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME REGARDING THIS OR ANY OTHER ISSUE.
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