Highways Division Email Responses

From: Fletcher, Hazel Sent: 19 May 2010 14:52 To: Balmer, Chris; Brooks, Ian; Callow, Jo (DoLGE); Connan, Marie; Corlett, Sarah (dlg); Holmes, Anthony; Kennaugh, Sarah; Stanley, Steven (DLGE) Subject: Planning Responses

10/00433/B Erection of a warehouse with associated ancillary accommodation and car parking, Vacant Site Adjacent To MAC's Warehouse Opposite JCK Ltd Port Way Balthane Industrial Estate Ballasalla

The Department of Infrastructure Highways Division does not object to this application 10/00512/D Erection of advertising signage, Rushen Abbey Hotel Rushen Abbey Ballasalla The Department of Infrastructure Highways Division does not object to this application 10/00256/B Erection of an industrial workshop and storage building, Land At Rear Of Kella Mill Main Road Sulby

The Department of Infrastructure Highways Division objects to this application on the grounds that there is insufficient detail provided to show that the application site has a safe access onto the highway in accordance with General Policy 2 (h) & (i).

This application is refers to a previous approval PA 02/02077; Highways Division objected to this application as it did not include an access onto the highway. There was an additional note added “in the Department’s view, the two access points that are available have substandard visibility for emerging vehicles, contrary to the interests of road safety.”

The current application has provided no additional detail showing that the required visibility can be provided. Site inspection makes it clear that a vehicle leaving the site has visibility to the right of about 10m; it is necessary to creep out into the highway in order to look for a gap in oncoming traffic.

If this was an entirely new development the Division would be looking for visibility of 4.5m x 90m in each direction. As this is an existing development that currently has sub standard visibility we may be willing to accept a reduced standard.

The applicant’s additional information in PA 02/2077 states that the road has a 30mph speed limit however a traffic survey carried out in Oct 2003 at the entrance to the Ballabrooie estate recorded an 85th %ile speed of 39mph in each direction.

10/00499/R Erection of a shelter for vehicles and equipment (retrospective), Fire Station Peel Road Douglas The Department of Infrastructure Highways Division does not object to this application 10/00492/D Installation of information boards, Niarbyl Niarbyl Road Dalby The Department of Infrastructure Highways Division does not object to this application

10/00508/A Approval in principle for the erection of ten detached dwellings with associated garages, driveways, landscaping and access, Field 311905 Adjacent To The Playing Fields Of Queen Elizabeth II School Douglas Road Peel

The Department of Infrastructure Highways Division objects to this application on the grounds that it has not been demonstrated that the application site has a safe access onto the highway in accordance with General Policy 2 (h) \& (i).

A traffic survey in 2008 shows the ile speeds to be around 55 mph in each direction. As this is a primary route visibility of 160 m is required in both directions from a point 2.4 m from the carriageway edge. The plan shows visibility of 50 m .

The topography of the road at this site is such that visibility will need to be demonstrated in both the horizontal and vertical planes. It is the Division's view that the required visibility is not likely to be achievable.

Hazel Fletcher Traffic Engineer Highways Division Department of Infrastructure Sea Terminal Building, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM1 2RF Tel: 01624686639 Fax: 01624686905 infrastructure bun troggalys