Walkden Active Neighbourhood - engagement survey results

Introduction to the survey

This online platform sets out the findings of the public engagement survey that took place during February/March 2023. We would like to thank everyone who took part in the survey. We are pleased to report that out of the targeted 1,391 households, we observed an overall response rate of 36% with over 90% of the respondents based in the proposed project’s area. High levels of engagement like these ensure that we are able to work with local communities to shape and deliver the changes they need.

The proposals consisted of eight interventions focused on creating safer and quieter streets by reducing the volume and speed of traffic through the area, and making it more attractive with new greenery; improved walking/wheeling and cycling facilities.

Local residents were asked to complete the survey before 14 March 2023 via a mailout to all households within the project area. People could either respond via an online version of the survey, which could be accessed using a URL or by scanning a QR code, or by returning a paper copy of the survey using the pre-paid envelope provided. Both the online and paper surveys were collected and analysed by Qa Research, an independent research company commissioned by the project team.

Survey participation

Survey participation Total
Households in the project area 1,391
Total respondents 497
Overall response rate 36% (Calculated by percentage of overall responses by household)
Total online survey responses 45%
Total paper survey respondents 55%
Respondents within the project area 91%
Respondents outside the project area 4%
Incomplete / no postcode provided (omitted from project area-based analysis) 5%

Respondents

Equality and diversity questions were asked to understand the demographics of participants and to ensure that the views of different groups and communities were being considered in the project area. All questions were optional, and any information provided was done so on an anonymous basis.

Age

Age Percentage
Under 18 1%
18 to 24 1%
25 to 34 9%
35 to 44 15%
45 to 54 16%
55 to 64 16%
65 and over 32%
Prefer not to say 10%

Gender

Gender Percentage
Female 44%
Male 40%
Prefer not to say 16%

Ethnicity

Ethnicity Percentage
White 80%
Asian/ Asian British 1%
Black/ African/ Caribbean/ Black British 0%
Mixed/ multiple ethnic groups 1%
Other ethnic group 1%
Prefer not to say 16%

Health issue or disability that limits daily activities?

Health issue response Percentage
Yes - limited a lot 7%
Yes - limited a little 11%
No 66%
Prefer not to say 15%

Overall summary

The scheme comprises one vehicle filter, one diagonal vehicle filter, three pedestrian crossing improvements and traffic calming at two junctions. A total of eight interventions were presented to residents for their views.

  • Five interventions had higher levels of ‘support’ than ‘oppose’, three interventions had ‘support’ levels lower than the ‘oppose’ levels
  • New crossings were very well supported

All responses combined

View Percentage
Support 51%
Oppose 35%
Neither 14%

Intervention-by-intervention summary

A summary of the support/oppose/neither percentages for each intervention are set out below.

In area

Intervention Support Oppose Neither

Potential controlled pedestrian crossing on Newearth Road at the junction of Queensway

64% 24% 14%
Potential controlled crossing on Newearth Road at the junction of Carlton Road 65% 20% 15%
Diagonal vehicle filter with greening on Normanby Road at the junction with Stafford Road

33%

47%

19%

Junction narrowing and continuous footway at the junction of Park Road and Broadway

40%

47%

13%

Rutland Road one-way in an east to west direction

42%

39%

19%

Junction narrowing continuous footway at junction of Park Road and Rutland Road

45%

39%

16%

Vehicle filter with greening on Broadway

42%

50%

8%

Proposed controlled crossing on Walkden Road at the junction with Edge Fold Road

82%

10%

9%

Outside area

Intervention Support Oppose Neither

Potential controlled pedestrian crossing on Newearth Road at the junction of Queensway

67%

24%

10%

Potential controlled crossing on Newearth Road at the junction of Carlton Road

76%

24%

0%

Diagonal vehicle filter with greening on Normanby Road at the junction with Stafford Road

33%

52%

14%

Junction narrowing and continuous footway at the junction of Park Road and Broadway

43%

57%

0%

Rutland Road one-way in an east to west direction

33%

52%

14%

Junction narrowing continuous footway at junction of Park Road and Rutland Road

33%

57%

10%

Vehicle filter with greening on Broadway

24%

52%

24%

Proposed controlled crossing on Walkden Road at the junction with Edge Fold Road

67%

24%

10%

Total

Intervention Support Oppose Neither

Potential controlled pedestrian crossing on Newearth Road at the junction of Queensway

62%

24%

14%

Potential controlled crossing on Newearth Road at the junction of Carlton Road

66%

20%

14%

Diagonal vehicle filter with greening on Normanby Road at the junction with Stafford Road.

34%

47%

19%

Junction narrowing and continuous footway at the junction of Park Road and Broadway

40%

47%

13%

Rutland Road one-way in an east to west direction

42%

39%

19%

Junction narrowing continuous footway at junction of Park Road and Rutland Road

44%

40%

16%

Vehicle filter with greening on Broadway

41%

49%

10%

Proposed controlled crossing on Walkden Road at the junction with Edge Fold Road

81%

10%

9%

Conclusion

Proposals with the most support

  • All crossings/one-ways had higher levels of ‘support’ than ‘oppose’ from residents.
  • New crossings were very well supported

Proposals with the least support

  • Proposals with the least support were the vehicle filters/ diagonal vehicle filters and also junction narrowing and continuous footway at the junction of Park Road and Broadway.

Recommendation

Having reviewed all the feedback we received and further discussions with local councillors, we have found that although residents favoured safety improvements in general, the proposals for vehicle filters, which are the key element of an active neighbourhood scheme, were not widely supported. Therefore, we have taken the decision not to take the implementation of this proposal any further.

Another finding from the consultation was that the community was highly in support of introducing controlled crossings on Newearth Road and Walkden Road. Due to the funding criteria for an active neighbourhood, the installation of these crossings could not be delivered under the same programme. Therefore, the project team will be making a recommendation to explore alternative funding sources for this work.

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