The highway work on Perry Vale has come about through funding obtained during the planning process relating to the Berkeley Homes' development on Hindsley's Place. In order to improve visibility to vehicles turning out of Hindsley's Place it was necessary to design out the sharp bend on Perry Vale. We have in effect moved the carriageway further eastwards, as well as pulling the Hindsley's Place junction to the west. The result of this means that there will be a constant eastern footway width of nearly 2m. The western footway will be widened virtually along its full length. This means that the footway will feel much larger and reduce pedestrian congestion during busy periods of the day. A wider footway means we are also in a position to introduce trees and additional plants. The carriageway will be reduced down to 7m in width, which will make crossing easier. Also, having the carriageway straighter will mean that pedestrians will be able to see on-coming vehicles easier and sooner. I am afraid to say that the island near the junction with Hindsley's Place will have to be removed. My site observations are that the majority of pedestrians who use this as a crossing point walk from further down Perry Vale. I would assume that they will begin to use the island at the junction with Church Rise. The existing raised crossing point and speed cushions are to be removed during the construction phase, but will be replaced. When we construct the raised crossing point we shall be providing ducts across the carriageway. This means that in future years, if it seems fit, a controlled crossing may be introduced. Current legislation means that we can only introduce controlled crossings where there are a high amount of pedestrian accidents. I am pleased to say that there are not enough pedestrian accidents in this area to justify a controlled crossing.

With regard to the road closure. There are currently three eastbound and two westbound closures in place. These have been put into place to help reduce congestion into Westbourne Drive, as well as try and reduce the number of vehicles using the residential road.