Road safety schemes

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How we decide which road safety schemes are chosen

All road safety schemes must:

When deciding which schemes we progress, we take into account:

  • the volume and speed of traffic in the area, as well as the number of pedestrians and cycling routes
  • the vicinity of places such as schools, parks, places of worship, train stations, shops and leisure centres 
  • historical data on road casualties in the area
  • whether the scheme fits with the TfL programme criteria 
  • other schemes that are being proposed in the area 
  • potential additional funding opportunities to support the scheme.

How road safety schemes are funded

A scheme may be funded through either Local Implementation Plan (LIP) funding, through Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding using a Road Safety and Parking application, or via the relevant Area Committee funding.

LIP Scheme

LIP funding is granted by Transport for London (TfL). The Council apply to TfL, submitting a three-year outline programme. A detailed one-year programme is submitted for funding approval for the following financial year. The list of schemes included in the programme is prioritised based on how successful the scheme will be at improving road safety and encouraging more walking, cycling and use of public transport through more reliable journeys.

LIP Scheme funding comes directly from TfL and may not be used for any other purpose other than the introduction of the scheme. If the scheme does not proceed, the unused funding must be returned to TfL.

More details can be found on the TfL Local Implementation Plans page. 

CIL funding and Road Safety and Parking applications

The Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) is a planning charge that Local Planning Authorities and the Mayor of London can set on new developments to help pay for community infrastructure. The levy can be used to fund a wide range of infrastructure improvements, including transport, flood defences, schools, hospitals, and other health and social care facilities 

Local authorities must spend the levy on infrastructure needed to support the development of their area, and they will decide what infrastructure is needed.

Road Safety and Parking issues may be submitted by Ward Members to the Director of Highways and Transportation, who will review the application and whether to allocate funds to progress the schemes.

Initially, funding usually covers a feasibility study, which assesses whether a scheme is viable. Further funding must then be agreed if the scheme is to be progressed to detailed design, consultation and implementation.

Residents are advised to contact their local Councillor who can raise the Road Safety and Parking request on their behalf.

Area Committee

Residents may raise concerns affecting the local area at one of Barnet’s quarterly Area Committees (East, North and West).

Each Area Committee has an annual budget to spend on infrastructure projects within their area.

More information on Area Committee funding is available on the Area Committees page. 

How road safety schemes are progressed

Feasibility study

Following approval of funding, we will carry out a feasibility study to assess whether the scheme is viable. The study aims to objectively review the request and predict its chances of successfully resolving the issue.

A variety of surveys are usually carried out as part of the feasibility study including:

  • traffic counts
  • speed surveys
  • accident statistics, including patterns of accidents
  • parking stress surveys
  • pedestrian surveys
  • Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) surveys, including origin destination surveys to determine if ‘rat-running’ is an issue

During the feasibility study, we engage with local Councillors and residents to understand the impact the scheme may have on the community.

The results of the feasibility study include the outline design of several proposals which aim to resolve the problem and increase road safety. Recommendations are also provided on the best possible option through a cost-benefit analysis. These recommendations are submitted to the Director of Highways and Transportation through a Chief Officer Decision (COD) to allocate funding for the preferred option to progress to consultation, detail design and implementation.

Statutory consultation

Once a scheme is designed and further funding has been approved, we undertake a statutory consultation with local residents, businesses, local stakeholders and emergency services to get their views on our proposal. Residents are notified in writing of the proposal. In addition, formal notice is advertised in the London Gazette.

Statutory consultations run for a minimum of 3 weeks, and this time gives local residents an opportunity to review the proposal and provide feedback, comments and objections.

Final recommendation

The Highways Design Team review all resident feedback, comments and objections, alongside the feasibility study, before making their final recommendations.

Based on the results of the consultation and officers’ recommendations, the Director of Highways and Transportation will decide to progress with the scheme with or without modification.

Implementation

Once the proposed road safety measures are approved, the scheme will be progressed to detail design and implementation. The implementation of the scheme is then scheduled with our contractors.

Local residents will be informed of the result of the consultation and also the date of the construction in writing at least 2 weeks prior to works start on site.

Road safety measures that may be introduced

Road safety measures may include introducing:

  • New pedestrian crossings:
    • Zebra crossings - crossings with black and white stripes and orange flashing beacons at each end
    • Pedestrian refuges – a traffic island that creates a safe space in the middle of the road, allowing pedestrians to cross in two halves
    • Uncontrolled pedestrian crossings – including tactile paving
    • Pelican or Puffin crossings – controlled by the pedestrian pressing the button and waiting for the green man – are only installed by TfL.
  • School streets
  • yellow lines (single or double)
  • traffic calming measures such as speed cushions or road humps
  • 20 mph zones and limits
  • one-way systems
  • mini roundabouts
  • width restrictions
  • priority give-ways
  • footway build outs and road narrowing.

Whilst we may propose the introduction of traffic signals such as Pelican or Puffin crossings, these are subject to TfL’s process of approval and modelling. TfL maintain all traffic signals.

Speed cameras

Barnet Council do not install, maintain or enforce speed cameras or other safety camera equipment.

Transport for London (TfL) are responsible for all road safety camera equipment across London. Information on when TFL may install a road safety camera is available on the TFL Safety cameras page. 

Contact us

Contact the Road Safety Team by email: HighwaysCorrespondonace@Barnet.gov.uk.