Notice of Motion
INDEPENDENT MEMBERS
RE-EVALUATING THE CURRENT SCHEME FOR VALLEY GARDENS STAGE 3
Proposed by: Cllr Fishleigh Seconded by: Cllr Janio
Supporting Information:
● Valley Gardens is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to change the way people and vehicles move around this key transport corridor
● The plans have evolved over time - everything previously assumed has been changed by COVID and Brexit and should be sensibly re-evaluated
● Phase 3 has always been the controversial part of the Valley Gardens scheme
● Calls for an Environmental Impact Assessment have repeatedly been denied
● Responsibility for VG3 has now been delegated to officers
● The city has experienced many unintentional problems brought about by unmonitored assumptions and miscalculations - notably the remodelling of North Street has directly contributed to making it one of the ten most polluted roads in the UK, damaging the health of residents and visitors alike
● Displaced traffic and punitive fines are causing distress and hardship to residents, visitors, workers and business owners. These have resulted from the poor planning and implementation of Phases 1 and 2
● Despite repeated officer claims that the LEP funding for VG3 would be withdrawn if the money wasn't drawn down and work completed by March 2021 this did not prove to be the case. The LEP retains absolute discretion on the drawdown of funds.