Scheme of the Month - Newland Avenue Mixed Priority Route Project
The Newland Avenue Mixed Priority Route Project in Hull is part of a national initiative to improve road safety on busy urban shopping streets. The scheme is one of ten DfT best practice demonstration projects and was designed to provide a safer and more attractive street environment with more space for pedestrians.
The scheme design has been influenced by successful examples from the continent and elsewhere in the UK and represents an innovative approach to mixed use streets. Measures include ‘shared surface’ areas without road markings and pioneering informal pedestrian crossings.
The project was managed by a multi-disciplinary Partnership Group consisting of Council Officers, Elected Members, residents and traders’ representatives.
The evaluations undertaken so far have shown impressive results with a dramatic increase in usage of the street by pedestrians (59%) and cyclists (48%). The number of pedestrians crossing Newland Avenue has increased by 18%. Initial road safety indicators are also very encouraging (based upon 12 month ‘after’ data) with a 24% reduction in all injury accidents, a 21% reduction in cycling casualties and a 100% reduction in pedestrian casualties.
In July 2006, the scheme was awarded the 2006 ‘Excellence in Urban Transport Design’ award at the national Transport Practitioners Conference.
For further information, please contact Gary Horth, Hull City Council
