Information Team Croydon
Digital Services
Assistant Chief Executive Directorate
Bernard Wetherill House
7th Floor, Zone B
Croydon
CR0 1EA

Contact: Information Team
[Croydon Borough Council request email]

 

NOTE: Please do not edit the subject line when replying to this email. If
you have a processing request, please ensure you quote that reference in
your emails to us.

Dear P MORGAN

 

Freedom of information request - FOI/8754

 

Subject: B276 MARLPIT LANE COULSDON – TRAFFIC SIGNALS – Poor operation,
Timing Details

Your request is being considered and you will receive a response within
the statutory timescale of 20 working days, subject to the application of
any exemptions. Where consideration is being given to exemptions the 20
working day timescale may be extended to a period considered reasonable
depending on the nature and circumstances of your request. In such cases
you will be notified and, where possible, a revised time-scale will be
indicated. In all cases we shall attempt to deal with your request at the
earliest opportunity.

If we are unable to provide you with the information requested we will
notify you of this together with the reason(s) why, and details of how you
may appeal.

Please note that the directorate team may contact you for further
information where we believe that the request is not significantly clear
for us to respond fully. 

Kind Regard

Information Management Team

 

Croydon Digital Services

Assistant Chief Executive Directorate

 

7th Floor, Zone B

Bernard Weatherill House

8 Mint Walk

Croydon CR0 1EA

Information Team Croydon
Digital Services
Assistant Chief Executive Directorate
Bernard Wetherill House
7th Floor, Zone B
Croydon
CR0 1EA

Contact: Information Team
[Croydon Borough Council request email]

 

Dear P MORGAN

Request FOI/8754

Further to your request received on 29/11/2023, I confirm that the Council
has now considered your request under the Environmental Information
Regulations. 

Specifically, you have requested the following information:

It is an observed fact that the traffic signals on the B276 Marlpit Lane
near the junction with the A237 Brighton Road in Coulsdon operate poorly.

At busy times, eg MF 0730-0900 and 1630-1800, the green time for Marlpit
Lane is often as short as 20 seconds, followed by a long red of as long as
40 seconds while a small amount of traffic emerges from the Bypass, and
then a few on foot cross the road.

This leads to very long queues on Marlpit Lane from Old Coulsdon, with
delays frequently of several minutes, delaying thousands of drivers, and
also the 60 and 404 buses.
Traffic also blocks back into the roundabout, obstructing movement south
on the A237 past the station.

At quieter times, eg MF midday, the green for Marlpit Lane is as long as
one minute or more, meaning long needless waits to exit the Bypass.

Why do the signals operate in this perverse manner?

-
What communications has Croydon Council received, eg from TFL, Croydon
members, or from the public, on this matter?
What has been the Croydon Council reply?

How does Croydon Council propose to rectify this issue?

-
Please provide full details of the design timings at this location,
including the phasing plans, explaining how the total cycle time, and the
green time for each phase is set, and how this varies by time of day and
day of the week, and notably by traffic demand.

What devices exist at this location to measure and act on traffic demand,
and how do they work?

-
How in general does Croydon Council monitor traffic signals to ensure they
operate as designed, and achieve the intended outcomes, and also avoid
unintended negative results?

How has this applied at this location?

-
It is an observed fact that most traffic off the Bypass turns left, and
often no vehicles turn right during the green phase.

The pedestrian green man crossing phase could operate while traffic off
the Bypass in the left lane has a green arrow filter, or after a short
right turn green and with a longer left turn off the Bypass.
That means having separate signals for the left and right turns off the
Bypass - easy enough to provide.

That would mean that when someone on foot pushes to cross and there is
left-turning traffic, the two green phases could operate simultaneously,
reducing wait times for all road users.

It would seem likely that this change would have a big Benefit-Cost ratio.

Will Croydon Council actively investigate this option, with a view to
early implementation?

-
At the roundabout, entry from Marlpit Lane has two lanes.

Reading the Highway Code, it seems that traffic turning left to go south
on the A237 past Coulsdon South station should always use the left lane.

Traffic going ahead into Cane Hill may use either left or right lane.

Traffic turning night onto the A237 to go north towards Coulsdon town
centre should use the right lane.

The extremely small volume of traffic going up onto the Bypass should also
use the right lane.

What data does Croydon Council have on traffic volume and turn direction
at this location?

-
It is an observed fact that the main traffic movement from Marlpit Lane is
north towards the town, with the second major movement turning left
towards the station.

Some cars using exit three for the town enter the roundabout from the left
lane.
This causes confusion and delays to left-turning and ahead-moving traffic.

What measures such as lane marking or lane-to-use signs could Croydon
Council use to help to ensure that traffic uses the correct lanes entering
the roundabout from Marlpit Lane?

When may we expect to see such changes implemented?

The Council does not hold the information requested, please note that All
traffic signals in London are operated by Transport for London (TfL), and
not the individual councils.   We are therefore applying Regulation
12(4)(a) of the Environmental Information Regulations.  However, you may
wish to submit your FOI request to TfL using the following link: to obtain
this information.

[1]Make a request - Transport for London (tfl.gov.uk)

 

The Council publishes Access to Information requests and responses on its
online Disclosure Log. (Any request included within this log will be
anonymised appropriately)

To view the Council’s Disclosure Log, please visit our website available
here:

[2]The Freedom of Information (FOI) Act | Croydon Council
(disclosure-log.co.uk)

If you are dissatisfied with the way the Council has handled your request
under the Environmental Information Regulations you may ask for an
internal review. This should be submitted to us within 40 working days of
this response. You can do this by outlining the details of your complaint
by:

Email:        [3][Croydon Borough Council request email]

Writing:     Information Team

London Borough of Croydon

Bernard Weatherill House

Floor 7 - Zone B

8 Mint Walk

Croydon, CR0 1EA

Any requests received after the 40 working day time limit will be
considered only at the discretion of the council.

If you are not content with the outcome of the internal review, you have
the right to apply directly to the Information Commissioner for a
decision. The Information Commissioner can be contacted at:

Information Commissioner’s Office

Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire, SK9 5AF

 

Yours sincerely,

 

Information Team

Croydon Digital Services

Assistant Chief Executive Directorate

Bernard Wetherill House,

Mint Walk,

Croydon,

CR0 1EA

 

 

[4][Croydon Borough Council request email]

[5][email address]

 

References

Visible links
1. https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/transparenc...
2. https://croydon.disclosure-log.co.uk/
3. mailto:[Croydon Borough Council request email]
4. mailto:[Croydon Borough Council request email]
5. mailto:[email address]

Dear PJ Morgan, 

Thank you for your email. 

I can confirm an internal review process was started on 02/01/2024. Your
request is currently with the legal team who are collating a response. I
will follow this up and highlight that the internal review deadline has
now passed. 

We apologies for this delay and should have a response sent out to you as
soon as possible. 

Kind regards, 
Information Management Team 

 

Dear [email address],

An Internal Review Request was sent on 28-12-23.

As 30 days have now passed without acknowledgement or reply, could you
kindly confirm the position with this?

Yours sincerely,

PJ MORGAN

show quoted sections

Dear PJ Morgan, 

 

Further to your email dated 28 December 2023, in which you requested an
Internal Review of the Council’s response to your request for information
made under the Environmental Information Regulations (EIR), I have now
concluded this review and I am able to reply as follows.

 

In your request for Internal Review, you asked the Council to reconsider
your request as you believed that you had not been provided with the
information requested.

 

In your request for information dated 29 November 2023, you requested the
following information:

 

“It is an observed fact that the traffic signals on the B276 Marlpit Lane
near the junction with the A237 Brighton Road in Coulsdon operate poorly.

At busy times, eg MF 0730-0900 and 1630-1800, the green time for Marlpit
Lane is often as short as 20 seconds, followed by a long red of as long as
40 seconds while a small amount of traffic emerges from the Bypass, and
then a few on foot cross the road.

This leads to very long queues on Marlpit Lane from Old Coulsdon, with
delays frequently of several minutes, delaying thousands of drivers, and
also the 60 and 404 buses.

Traffic also blocks back into the roundabout, obstructing movement south
on the A237 past the station.

At quieter times, eg MF midday, the green for Marlpit Lane is as long as
one minute or more, meaning long needless waits to exit the Bypass.

Why do the signals operate in this perverse manner?

What communications has Croydon Council received, eg from TFL, Croydon
members, or from the public, on this matter?
What has been the Croydon Council reply?

How does Croydon Council propose to rectify this issue?

Please provide full details of the design timings at this location,
including the phasing plans, explaining how the total cycle time, and the
green time for each phase is set, and how this varies by time of day and
day of the week, and notably by traffic demand.

What devices exist at this location to measure and act on traffic demand,
and how do they work?

How in general does Croydon Council monitor traffic signals to ensure they
operate as designed, and achieve the intended outcomes, and also avoid
unintended negative results?

How has this applied at this location?

It is an observed fact that most traffic off the Bypass turns left, and
often no vehicles turn right during the green phase.

The pedestrian green man crossing phase could operate while traffic off
the Bypass in the left lane has a green arrow filter, or after a short
right turn green and with a longer left turn off the Bypass. That means
having separate signals for the left and right turns off the Bypass - easy
enough to provide.

That would mean that when someone on foot pushes to cross and there is
left-turning traffic, the two green phases could operate simultaneously,
reducing wait times for all road users.

It would seem likely that this change would have a big Benefit-Cost ratio.

Will Croydon Council actively investigate this option, with a view to
early implementation?

At the roundabout, entry from Marlpit Lane has two lanes.

Reading the Highway Code, it seems that traffic turning left to go south
on the A237 past Coulsdon South station should always use the left lane.

Traffic going ahead into Cane Hill may use either left or right lane.

Traffic turning night onto the A237 to go north towards Coulsdon town
centre should use the right lane.

The extremely small volume of traffic going up onto the Bypass should also
use the right lane.

What data does Croydon Council have on traffic volume and turn direction
at this location?

It is an observed fact that the main traffic movement from Marlpit Lane is
north towards the town, with the second major movement turning left
towards the station.

Some cars using exit three for the town enter the roundabout from the left
lane. This causes confusion and delays to left-turning and ahead-moving
traffic.

What measures such as lane marking or lane-to-use signs could Croydon
Council use to help to ensure that traffic uses the correct lanes entering
the roundabout from Marlpit Lane?

When may we expect to see such changes implemented?”

 

The Council responded to you on the 28 December 2023 and provided the
following response:

 

“The Council does not hold the information requested, please note that All
traffic signals in London are operated by Transport for London (TfL), and
not the individual councils.   We are therefore applying Regulation
12(4)(a) of the Environmental Information Regulations.  However, you may
wish to submit your FOI request to TfL using the following link: to obtain
this information…”

 

In your request for an Internal Review dated 28 December 2023 you stated
the following:

 

“I am writing to request an internal review of Croydon Borough Council's
handling of my FOI request 'B276 MARLPIT LANE COULSDON - TRAFFIC SIGNALS –
Poor operation, Timing Details'.

The council response is unacceptable.

“The Council does not hold the information requested, please note that All
traffic signals in London are operated by Transport for London (TfL), and
not the individual councils.”

The council is obligated to consider each part of the FOI separately and
respond appropriately to each part.

The council is the highway authority for the B276 Marlpit Lane, and the
A237 Brighton Road nearby, and for the roundabout where these roads meet.

Issues were raised here beyond that of the traffic signals – see further
below.

In terms of the traffic signals themselves, it may be that “All traffic
signals in London are operated by Transport for London (TfL), and not the
individual councils”.

However at this location, the council is the client, and TFL is the
contractor.

The council must ensure that TFL operate the traffic signals so that they
deliver the traffic management and outcomes that the council wishes, and
which meet its TMA duties.

The council is responsible for managing traffic movement at this location.

It is responsible for monitoring traffic, and ensuring that the road
network is operating in a suitable and efficient way.

These duties are set out explicitly in the Traffic Management Act 2004.

Government guidance is clear: “This act was introduced to tackle
congestion and disruption on the road network. The TMA places a duty on
local authorities to make sure traffic moves freely and quickly on their
roads and the roads of nearby authorities.”

This FOI drew attention to the failure of the council to fulfil its duty
in respect of this location.

The council is obliged to answer each question.

Q1 - “Why do the signals operate in this perverse manner?”

The council has to say whether it is aware of how these signals operate,
and whether the description provided accords with this.

If it does not, then it has to explain how it fulfils its duties under the
TMA of monitoring traffic here without doing so and knowing how the
traffic signals function.

Q2 - The council was asked about any communications the council has
received about how this location functions.

Either the council has received none at all, or else it has received some.

Either way, the council is obliged to respond accordingly.

Q3 - The council either has or does not have information on the traffic
signals timings etc.

This requires a specific answer.

Q4 - Asked explicitly how the council monitors traffic signals.

“How in general does the council monitor traffic signals to ensure they
operate as designed, and achieve the intended outcomes, and also avoid
unintended negative results?

“How has this applied at this location?”

Either the council does have a system of monitoring as described or it
does not.

If it does, it must state what it is.

If it does not, then it has to explain how it fulfils its duties under the
TMA of monitoring traffic in general without doing so and knowing how the
traffic signals function at each location.

Then the equivalent for this location.

Q5 - This offered a possible way to improve traffic flow and reduce
congestion and delay at this location.

The council needs to say whether it has considered this suggestion – which
has been sent to it on a number of occasions.

Then it needs to say where it consider it of merit or not, and why.

Given its duties under the TMA, it can hardly say it simply ignores
potential ways forward.

Q6 - This relates to the roundabout, not to the traffic signals.

Croydon is solely responsible for the operation of this roundabout.

Croydon has to say what data, if any, it has on traffic volume and turn
direction at this location.

If it has no data, it needs to explain why, given its TMA duties.

Q7 - This question asks about lane markings and signs at the location, and
what action the council could take to alleviate the issued described.

That is a question the council needs to answer and accords with its TMA
duties.”

 

On receiving your request for an Internal Review, I contacted the Highway
Operations Manager, and I have been informed that the Council do not hold
the requested information as the signals are managed and maintained by
Transport for London (TfL).

 

In respect of the issues raised regarding the roundabout, the Council will
consider if any further changes are necessary. The Council notes however,
there are destination signs (black text on white background) on Marlpit
Lane after Ullswater Crescent and at the roundabout which will assist
drivers in choosing the correct lane based on their destination and any
further changes could provide greater distraction to drivers affecting
road safety. The Council will also pass your suggestions onto TfL for
consideration; the bypass and on/off slips are part of the Red Route and
therefore the responsibility of TfL.

 

The Council does not hold any traffic volume or turn direction data, and
no traffic surveys have been commissioned to date.  TfL monitor the
signals and collects and keep records of traffic data at the signals.

 

TfL are responsible for the management and operation of all traffic
signals in London, not only on the TLRN but they also provided a service
to all London Boroughs for the roads for which they are the highway
authority.

 

Traffic signals in London are owned and maintained by TfL and the Council
commissions installation of new signals from them. To report problems with
traffic lights please contact TFL on 0845305 1234 or go to the Transport
of London website - [1]https://streetcare.tfl.gov.uk/.  As such the
Council does not hold any data on the traffic signals at this junction. 

 

Should you wish to make an Freedom of Information request for information
on traffic signals, please contact TfL - [2][email address] ([3]Freedom of
Information - Transport for London (tfl.gov.uk))

 

If you are not content with the outcome of the Internal Review, you have
the right to apply directly to the Information Commissioner for a
decision. The Information Commissioner can be contacted at:

 

Information Commissioner’s Office

Wycliffe House

Water Lane

Wilmslow

Cheshire SK9 5AF

 

Yours sincerely,

 

Howard Passman

020 8726 6000 ext. 27103

 

 

Resources Directorate

Legal Services Division

12th Floor
Bernard Weatherill House

8 Mint Walk

Croydon CR0 1EA

 

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References

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2. mailto:[email address]
3. https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/transparenc...