Design and consultation

Design and consultation

In the early part of 2015, a Working Group was formed, consisting of Wokingham Borough Council Members, Finchampstead Parish Members, some local business owners, and a representative from The Nine Mile Ride school. This group met periodically during 2015 at which time the scope and purpose of the project were identified which included the development of the California Crossroads area into a shared space (1) environment, which benefits the local business owners and residents by enhancing the area in such a way, that pedestrians, cyclists and vehicle traffic can co-exist. A summary of the objective and outcomes as follows:

Objectives. The project will apply shared space principles as a core component of the design with the following objectives (not limited to):

• Create a greater sense of place
• Accommodate traffic volumes, no less than base year
• Improve provision for pedestrians and cyclists
• Improve the environment for shopping
• Ensure safety for all (children, disabled, pedestrians, cyclist, equestrians and vehicle users)
• Engage the entire community in the design process
• Improve car parking provision (2)
   

Outcomes: The key outcomes as follows (not limited to):

• A shared space design approach that creates an area which is suitable for all users
• Improve the visual quality
• Accommodate traffic
• Improve access by walking and cycling to key land uses, notably the shops and schools
• Improve car parking areas in terms of layouts, usage, and controls

Vision statement

From the working group meetings and discussion a vision statement was developed, which is still relevant now following a refresher meeting with Wokingham Borough Council members in September 2017. 

“Our vision for California Cross is to deliver an attractive environment and a vibrant and viable local centre at the heart of the community. The scheme will be high in quality and imaginative in design with a focus on materials, landscaping, and attention to detail.  It will encourage access by walking and cycling, safety for users and a distinct design character that identifies innovative ways to allow for pedestrians and traffic to co-exist.” 

The development of the project went through a number of stages which contributed to the overall agreement of an indicative layout. During 2015 a presentation was delivered by Wokingham Borough Council staff to the working group and members of the community. Please see memory stick with file named “File 1 California Cross Presentation3”.  This presentation was delivered on the back of a report that was produced by MouchelParkman. Please see memory stick with file named “File 2 MouchelParkman”. As per the presentation and report, Option 1, Option 2, and Option 3 were rejected for various reasons (further explained in MouchelParkman report), but Proposed Junction Improvements Option 1 and Proposed Junction Improvement Option 2 as mentioned in the presentation was deemed acceptable by the Working Group and attendees. Both of these options negate the need for a CPOs and the development is indicatively within the highway boundary. 

Additional notes for the extract above:

1. What is constructed is not a shared space scheme, there is a high upstand around the junctions (approximately 100mm except where there are driveways) and colour contrast between the footway and carriageway. 
2. Two parking spaces are removed in front of the shops. Although we could not widen the access into Avery car park due to Wokingham Borough Council unable to acquire the necessary land, an objective of this is to improve flow into the car park by revising the flow in front of the shops, that leads to Avery Car Park. 
3. This file has a presentation showing how Wokingham Borough Council wanted to take forward a Poynton style junction, I have attached this as well. 
    

Where did the idea come from?

The Department for Transport advises in Local Transport note 1/08 “Regulations and technical standards have a key role in the delivery of good design, but, if used as a starting point, they may serve to compromise the achievement of wider objectives. A standards-based template view of road junction design, for example, is inappropriate". LTN 1/08 paragraph 3.2.1. 

With this in mind, the development of the California Crossroads scheme has been guided by a Department for Transport Manual for Streets (MfS) approach where “imaginative and context-specific design that does not rely on conventional standards can achieve high levels of safety” MfS, paragraph 2.6.3.

Investigations of innovative schemes was undertaken, such as Poynton and Bexleyheath. Poynton is featured in the Essex Design Guide; in 2013 it won a congestion reduction award from the Highway Magazine Annual Awards and the scheme was highly commended through the CIHT 2013 ‘Street’ awards.

“An extremely courageous scheme which has succeeded in achieving significant economic and social benefits through the enhancement of ‘place’ whilst continuing to provide a route for significant volumes of traffic.” – CIHT Award Judges

The scheme was also one of three finalists in the Academy of Urbanism “Great Streets” award 2014. Further benefits of the scheme can be found on the Macclesfield Live website.

Bexleyheath Town Centre Revitalisation Scheme, funded by Transport for London, won the 'Excellence in Walking and Public Realm' category at the prestigious London Transport Awards 2014. It was also finalist for four other awards and was highly commended at the Urban Transport Design Award 2015 where judges commented that “Practitioners should visit Bexleyheath, observe and see what they can learn”. 

Manual for Streets 2 describes the outcomes of a range of schemes that have followed this approach to design. Case studies can be found on the Manual for Streets 2 (PDF.)

The Design

As stated by the Department for Transport, “For too long the focus has been on the movement function of residential streets. The result has often been places that are dominated by motor vehicles to the extent that they fail to make a positive contribution to the quality of life.… Manual for Streets (MfS) demonstrates the benefits that flow from good design and assigns a higher priority to pedestrians and cyclists, setting out an approach to residential streets that recognises their role in creating places that work for all members of the community…… Manual for Streets (MfS) refocuses on the place function of residential streets, giving clear guidance on how to achieve well-designed streets and spaces that serve the community in a range of ways”. (MfS, page 6.) With this ethos, a concept design was presented to local residents, which received positive feedback and it was agreed to continue the development of the design.

The scheme is designed following Wokingham Borough Council Highway Standards, Manual for Streets, and Traffic Sign Regulations and General Directions. Manual for Streets is national government guidance for the design, construction and maintenance of streets, including guidance on layout, users' needs, parking, street furniture, and materials. The guidance is about improving the environment for all uses and this project aims to do this by:

• Slowing vehicle movements with the installation of raised tables at the edge and in the centre of the scheme. These are spaced about 70m apart, which typically enforces speeds below 20mph and can make drivers more likely to give way to pedestrians at the crossing points.
• Additional crossing points allowing more direct routes.
• Patterned surface carriageway treatment to support a more pedestrian-orientated environment 
• Contrasting design in crossing areas will also encourage drivers to give way.
• Removal of traditional road markings and signs to make drivers more aware of pedestrians and encourage them to give way at crossings.
• Crossing points at right angles have been provided, which those with impaired vision may prefer to use.
• Shopping parade car park exit and entry switched, so those who cannot find a parking space in front of the shops, can move onto Avery Car Park more easily. It is hoped this will also reduce queuing from Avery Corner backing up into the roundabouts.
• High-quality lighting columns
• Additional and new planting, at ground level and in hanging baskets
• Bespoke bollards co-designed with Nine Mile Ride School
• Bespoke Totems co-designed with Gorse Ride School

The proposal also incorporates essential maintenance works, this includes: 

• Drainage works to reduce the risk and extent of flooding. 
• Road reconstruction to improve the surface and durability. 

Additional note

If the Council are planning to restate the scheme objectives in continuing correspondence, we suggest a few changes to ensure these factually reflect the scheme as delivered, as we found the intended outcomes and surveys page that states

“Making it easier for non-motorists to move between and around the two mini roundabouts”

They are not mini roundabouts, the above bullets are similar to what is in the link, but are slightly developed.

Taking care at junctions

The design concept encourages users to engage more with what is happening around them. As with anywhere on the public highway, all the Highway Code applies. Rule 170 within the highway code states:

“Take extra care at junctions. You should

• Watch out for cyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians including powered wheelchairs/mobility scooter users as they are not always easy to see. Be aware that they may not have seen or heard you if you are approaching from behind
• Give way to pedestrians crossing or waiting to cross a road into which or from which you are turning. If they have started to cross they have priority, so give way (see Rule H2)
• Remain behind cyclists, horse riders, horse drawn vehicles and motorcyclists at junctions even if they are waiting to turn and are positioned close to the kerb
• Watch out for long vehicles which may be turning at a junction ahead; they may have to use the whole width of the road to make the turn (see Rule 221)
• Watch out for horse riders who may take a different line on the road from that which you would expect
• Not assume, when waiting at a junction, that a vehicle coming from the right and signalling left will actually turn. Wait and make sure
• Look all around before emerging. Do not cross or join a road until there is a gap large enough for you to do so safely.”

Consultation

The scheme concepts have been subject to extensive public consultation and engagement and were approved and signed off by members with the Council's Medium Term Financial Plan and associated capital delivery programme.

Before the design commenced, in accordance with HD 42/17 (now GC142), a Walking, Cycling and Horse-Riding Assessment Report (WCHAR) was undertaken,to facilitate the inclusion of all walking, cycling and horse-riding modes in the scheme development process from the earliest stage, enabling opportunities for new or improved facilities and their integration within the local network. 

Further to completion of the Preliminary design, this was revisited with a Walking, Cycling and Horse-Riding Assessment Report Review (WCHARR), that found the design to meet all its objectives. The WCHAR was part of an extensive consultation as summarised on table shown on the last page.

In 2019 an Equality Impact Assessment (EqIA) was undertaken, and this suggested a positive impact on the protected characteristic groups once the scheme is built. Then in 2020/21, conversations continued with many of those in the technical group. For example, we understood from a local representative of the partially sighted group, that their preference is always signalised crossings, but as mentioned previously this was not practical, and zebra crossings could not be implemented at the appropriate locations and follow legislation. Therefore, we progressed with courtesy (informal) crossings, which use a surface treatment to encourage drivers to give way to pedestrians. Working with the representatives we learnt that not only colour contrast was important but shape as well. So we made the patterning on the crossing significantly different to any other patterning on the carriageway and footway. 

Furthermore, we moved away from the traditional buff tactile paving and progressed with grey to provide greater contrast with the footway, and provided additional crossings on the periphery of the scheme where shorter crossing routes could be provided. These were still closer than zebra or signal crossing could be proposed.

Before consultation and after consultation designs

Test Panels

Two test panels were produced to assist in progressing the innovative design. One was put on the public highway, where large vehicles travelled over it, this was to understand the wear of the material. The other was installed at the local Equestrian Centre, as the Road Safety Audit had identified that the proposed pattern could spook horses that use the junction. This enabled horses to walk over the material to ensure it would not have a negative effect. This panel is still available to use if any equestrian users of the junction have concerns.   

Co-Design and Heritage

Two co-design activities were completed with the local schools. The first was a design competition held at Nine Mile Ride school where the children were asked to produce silhouettes around topics of their choice. Winners were then picked from each year and those designs were printed on the bollards that lead to the school.

A competition was also held for an artist to design the totems, that mark the gateways into the site. This was won by Steven Pardue. at Differentia, who developed his designs with Gorse Ride School to create designs that relay four stories relating to the heritage of the site, titled Nine Mile Ride, Bighshot, Having a Ball, and American Dream. The last story also ties in with the surface treatment, that is inspired by the Red Oak tree, resonating the many Red Oak trees in vicinity, which is a Californian native species.