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Subject:
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Items
referred from 13 August Special Council meeting -
Deputations
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Date
of Meeting:
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29
September 2020
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Report
of:
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Executive Lead
Officer for Strategy, Governance & Law
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Contact
Officer:
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Name:
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Mark
Wall
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Tel:
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01273
291006
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E-mail:
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mark.wall@brighton-hove.gov.uk
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Wards
Affected:
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Various
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FOR
GENERAL RELEASE
1.
SUMMARY AND
POLICY CONTEXT:
1.1
To receive the following three deputations referred from the
Special Council meeting held on the 13 August 2020.
2.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
2.1
That
the Committee responds to each of the deputations either by noting
it or where it is considered more appropriate, calls for an officer
report on the matter which may give consideration to a range of
options and writes to the deputation spokesperson setting out the
committee’s decision(s).
3.
CONTEXT /
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
3.1
To
receive the following deputation along with the extract from the
special council meeting and supporting information which is
detailed in appendix 1:
(1)
Deputation
concerning Support for the
review of the temporary cycle lane extension on Old Shoreham
Road
Spokesperson
Samantha Goddard
Supported by:
Tony Francis, Winnie Barrett, Jenny Marshall, Mick Clifton, Nina
Keating
Ward
affected: All
The
Old Shoreham Road provides connection of Shoreham-by-Sea, Lancing
and Worthing with Brighton and Hove. It is a main access road for
those travelling between these locations. Since 10th May
2020 a temporary cycle lane has been in place, specifically
resulting in one full lane being lost to drivers along the dual
carriageway. Hence this deputation, not in opposition of cyclists
along this route or cycle lanes in general but because I strongly
disagree with any cycle lane that would take away a lane in its
entirety for use by cars on this or any dual carriageway which so
clearly requires at least two lanes to function.
No
doubt there is environmental motivation behind the implementation
of this cycle lane, acknowledging strong concerns within the UK for
climate change. Yet regardless of a desire to move towards cycling
as a chosen method of transport, we cannot ignore the current
situation, being that cars are a leading means of transport for so
many people. To think that reducing lane access for drivers will
make them disappear from the road or that it will make a cyclist
out of someone who was not already is both short sighted, and in my opinion, not in
connection with reality. Instead we must remember and consider the
vast proportion of people who may always choose to drive due to
health, the distance being travelled and of course due to
preference and choice. In that respect electric cars will have a
large part to play in moving towards a more harmonious relationship
between transport and the environment. That said this temporary
cycle lane is and has been a huge inconvenience and cause of
frustration for drivers, and no doubt a matter of negative mental health for those who must
use this road every day or on a regular basis.
I
must also point out the safety risk that the temporary lane has
posed, with clear confusion by drivers not knowing if or when they
can use the temporary cycle
lane when turning left or right. This has
resulted in at least one near collision witnessed by my partner
whose place of work is based on the roadside of the affected area
and who took the photos provided below, demonstrating the now daily
sight of backed up traffic queues and cars remaining stationary for
long periods of time, something which is surely causing an increase
in local car emissions if anything.
It
is also important to mention how the introduction of this temporary
cycle lane has felt underhanded in its timing and justification;
reading in a letter from Brighton & Hove City Council (below)
to local residents wording such as (related to covid-19)
‘there are fewer journeys being made by car’ ...
‘we expect this to continue even after current movement
restrictions are eased.’ I find this to be a misdirection
given how at the start of lockdown the public were instructed not
to drive with exception for key workers and the most essential of
journeys. In contrast the public were encouraged to take outside
exercise including walking and cycling. Such an involuntary change
in travel pattern should therefore not be taken to indicate a norm
once restrictions are eased. It therefore feels underhanded to have
made such an assumption and particularly, to have informed local
residents of the project the very day before (Thursday
7th May 2020) the bank holiday during which the works
were undertaken.
I
feel that to re-evaluate and review this temporary cycle lane would
not be to deny the desire or
intention to accommodate cyclists here
but to acknowledge it as completely inappropriate to lose one of
two lanes for car drivers on the prominent dual carriageway that is
the A27, a road which clearly requires both lanes to function. It
is this point that I hope I have made most clear.
Acknowledging appetites and reasonings
behind the creation of a larger cycling network, I still believe
that we must seriously review the loss of a full road lane
accessible only to cyclists, particularly as use has been sparse,
creating unnecessary suffering for drivers.
3.2
To
receive the following deputation along with the extract from the
special council meeting and supporting information which is
detailed in appendix 2:
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
3.5
3.6
3.7
3.8
3.9
3.10
3.11
3.12
(2)
Deputation
concerning, a request for the whole of
The Deneway (BN1 8QR and BN1 5AZ) to have safe road
markings
spokesperson
Katherine Sykes
Supported by:
Michael Whitty, D. Sannister, Sarah Mitchell, M. Chapman, John
Simmonds, D. Pidgley, S. Jefferies, J. Clarke, J. Freer, D.
Clarke.
Ward
affected: All
This
deputation requests that the council ensures there is an urgent,
ward agnostic, transparent, up to date review of the road markings
on ALL of The Deneway (BN1 8QR and BN1 5AZ). Addressing the
concerns raised by Westdene residents and the LAT and redressing
the omissions of the TRO.
The
Deneway is the only thoroughfare between the lower end of Westdene
and the London road. It cuts under the railway line, providing
access for residents, schools, shops, buses and the Withdean sports
complex. In September 2019 local residents, and the WWLAT, asked
for the whole of The Deneway to be urgently reviewed for the
introduction of safe road markings and we provided extensive
evidence of concerns to support this request. However only sections
of the east side of the Deneway were considered to meet
‘’the minimum required to improve safety for
pedestrians and for the safe movement of vehicles.’’ We
understand that historical objections from 2010 were used to
justify the decision not to include the whole of the east side in
the TRO, and it appears that the west side was not considered at
all, despite being home to vulnerable residents and a doctors
surgery (Lionsdene sheltered housing). This can’t be right-
over last 10 years the roads have become busier, the veterinary
hospital and Withdean Sports Complex have expanded, and Westdene
school has grown by a third- disproportionately increasing parking
and traffic on The Deneway. The TRO has failed to address the
issues or mitigate against the impact of only introducing yellow
lines on limited sections of The Deneway. There remain no road
markings on significant sections of The Deneway, and the people who
park here continue to have no indication of where it is safe to
park or to comprehend the busyness of this road at certain times
with the following, ongoing, consequences:
·
Complete
lack of any safe crossing points including: o lack of protected
drop curbs to access the pathway under the bridge- leading to
blocked access to the bridge for pedestrians (NE
Deneway)
·
Lionsdene
crossing point (sheltered housing & Dr surgery)- the road forks
at this point with obscured visibility due to parking (NW&SW
Deneway)
·
Cars
block pavements forcing people onto the road: o Outside the vets on
the roundabout/pavement (NE Deneway)
·
South
west side fork (SW Deneway fork)
·
Cars
park close to, and all along the west side forks obscuring vision
for all road users- as a result drivers commit without adequate
visibility and cars come off the road to avoid colliding with
oncoming traffic (NW&SW Deneway)
·
Cars
also park on the busy Deneway junctions with Eldred avenue.
Obscuring visibility for all road users and adding to bottlenecks
(NW&SW Deneway)
These problems have continued despite less traffic
during COVID and will inevitably get increasingly worse as things
return to normal. Lionsdene and other Westdene residents feel The
Deneway is dangerous, and unsafe for all road users, also
highlighting that it can be impossible for those with limited
mobility to navigate it. The Deneway is an essential access road
into Lower Westdene, its busy, and complex, and these issues need
to be addressed. In the meantime, it continues to disincentivise
walking to school, accessing public transport, and other important
health, environmental and wellbeing initiatives and it is putting
residents of Westdene at unnecessary and avoidable risk
3.3
To
receive the following deputation along with the extract from the
special council meeting which is detailed in appendix 3:
(3)
Deputation
concerning Madeira Drive Traders Compromise
spokesperson
Trevor Archard
Supported by: JJ
Bralden, Kirsty Pollard, Greg Harman, Ian MacKenzie, Jason
Papanicola, Dave Rochford.
Ward
affected: All
Members of
Madeira Drive Traders Association have been left disappointed after
a recent meeting with Councillors to request Madeira Drive Is
immediately re-opened. Councillors were told some traders are
facing financial ruin if the road remains closed for the Summer,
and many are unable to pay their rent. Others are unsure about rent
payments and have not paid as the terms of their leases have been
varied with the road closure. Now there is also a proposed further
eighteen-month experimental closure when this one
finishes.
Like all
businesses Covld-19 has hit business hard but those situated on
Madeira Drive have suffered a double blow with the road closed to
visiting tourists who would normally access this area by car. There
Is no public transport to Madeira Drive.
The traders want
to make It clear that they are keen to work with the council in the
future to assist with plans and perhaps see fully pedestrianised
areas of the road, but only when improvements have been put in
place first to make the road safe, accessible and
attractive.
To close a road
without any improvements or a sustainable transport plan in place
totally disregards the livelihoods of the traders who keep the
place going year-round, as well as the lives of the people who use
their businesses."
Madeira Drive is
situated behind what is a cliff. In terms of access users need to
be able to cycle, walk 15 mins or more if using public transport
and descend 84 steep steps. This affects those with young children
in buggies, wheel-chair users, those who cannot walk 15 minutes or
who are not on a bus route.
Councillor Lee
Wares has approached the Traders Association with what he believes
is a workable compromise. To provide good access and space for
people to exercise, together with a solution for access to
tourists. The plan has been well received at a meeting with the
traders on July 3rd.
Brighton Marina
are very concerned that cars are using the Marina car park instead
of Madeira Drive. This is taking up valuable parking space for our
customers this summer.
Once the
terraces and lift are repaired, people will have much more space to
exercise and walk on the terraces that run the whole length of the
road.
The Madeira
Drive Traders Association now also has the backing of the Brighton
Tourism Alliance to progress the proposed compromise. The
Association has recommended to members that as soon as a reasonable
compromise is reached, and the road is open in some way, the rents
can start to be paid again.
The Council
should be supporting local businesses and jobs and livelihoods.
Three recent surveys have supported the re-opening.
