Planning – Application Comments

Comment Date: Tue 11 Oct 2022

The proposals seeks to erect an illuminated static poster display on the western side of Embankment Road adjacent to the Portakabin hire and visitor centre, with the sign being orientated to face southbound traffic travelling towards the city centre. The Highway Authority would be unable to support the proposed development due to the potential impacts on highway safety.

Embankment Road is a heavily trafficked, classified A road providing a direct route into the city centre and is subject to a 40 mph speed limit. There have been a significant number of slight injury collisions along this stretch of road in the last 5 years.

Embankment Road can become congested at peak times, with traffic queuing back from the junction with Lanhydrock Road causing drivers to slow down considerably and at times, come to a complete stop. It also results in high levels of lane-changing and as such, drivers need to be aware of vehicles travelling in front of and parallel to them, whilst also concentrating on keeping in lane. The proposed advert would divert the attention of the drivers travelling southbound away from the road and to the right hand side which gives rise to concerns of highway safety due to the increased risk of rear shunt type collisions, especially as and when the adverts change.

Furthermore, there is an existing entrance/exit to rowing club within the visibility envelope on the southbound lane and drivers distracted by the advert could have insufficient time to safely stop when a car performs a left turn into the access, again resulting in vehicle to vehicle conflict by way of a rear shunt. There is also a bus bay on the eastern side of the road and the proposed advert could distract drivers away from buses pulling in/out of the bay.

Network Management have also objected in principle to the application due to concerns of highway safety.

Notwithstanding the suggested controls over advert screen time, transitional periods and lighting levels, it is considered that a digital poster of this type and in this specific location could result in vehicle to vehicle conflict including rear shunts. It is therefore recommended that the application be refused due to concerns of highway safety.

Recommendations:

Support
No objection
No objection subject to appropriate mitigation (as identified below)
Object to application X

If 'object' on what grounds?

Reasons for refusal:
Illuminated Signs:
By virtue of its design and positioning, the Local Highway Authority consider that the illuminated display will cause distraction to motorists travelling southbound along Embankment Road which gives rise to concerns of highway safety including:

- an increase in rear shunt type accidents when traffic speeds reduce due to congestion
- an increase to the risk of vehicle to vehicle conflict when changing lanes
- an increase to the risk of vehicle to vehicle conflict when vehicles access/egress the Rowing Club
and bus bay on the eastern side of the road.

The proposal is therefore contrary to Policy DEV29 of the adopted Plymouth and South West Devon Joint Local Plan adopted March 2019.


The proposed development has been considered in accordance with the Councils current Development Plan Policies and having regard for the National Planning Policy Framework.



Abbie Perry

Transport Planning Officer
Officer authorised to sign on behalf of the
Director for Strategic Planning & Infrastructure