Issue - items at meetings - Lanes car park - access arrangements

Report of the Director of Environment (copy attached).

(1)         That Cabinet to approve the allocation of £0.588m for the reconfiguration of pedestrian access and lift renovation to create a safer environment, meet modern standards, the councils regulatory obligations and policy commitments.

(2)         That Cabinet retrospectively approves additional expenditure incurred of £0.440m, including the provision of six additional parking spaces (valued at circa £24k per annum).

(3)         That authority be delegated to the Director of Environment to approve the appointment of a contractor to carry out works referred to in 2.1 above.

(4)         That an offer be taken to the LDV Board within four weeks and that a letter be written to Board members confirming the timetable.

160.1                The Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Environment updating Members on improvements made to The Lanes car park and proposals for the next stage to work (for copy see minute book).

160.2                Councillor Kemble welcomed the report and explained that not investing in improvements to the car park could have had a serious effect on the tourism and visitor economy.

160.3                In response to a question from Councillor Kemble, the Assistant Director of Sustainable Transport advised that the works would take five to six months in total and work would begin on site by the end of the financial year. He advised that there would be no impediment to pedestrian or vehicular access throughout the duration of the works.

160.4                Councillor Hawkes gave her support to the work that had been done to improve London Road car park, but stated that she could not support the high level of investment being put into The Lanes car park. She added that she had received complaints from car park users who had become stuck between the barriers and found no staff available to help them.

160.5                Councillor David Smith reported that users had been seen taking unnecessary risks by accessing the car park on foot using the vehicle entrance because the signs were not clear.

160.6                The Chairman welcomed reports of problems experienced by car park users because it meant that issues could be addressed; officers were already working on ensuring clear signage was in place.

160.7                The Director of Environment advised that the car park was staffed and monitored 24 hours a day; users should experience a better response from staff. She added that the improvements would help users to feel safer in the car park.

160.8                RESOLVED – That, having considered the information and the reasons set out in the report, the Cabinet accepted the following recommendations:

(1)         That the allocation of £0.588m be approved for the reconfiguration of pedestrian access and lift renovation to create a safer environment, meet modern standards, the councils regulatory obligations and policy commitments.

(2)         That the additional expenditure incurred of £0.440m, including the provision of six additional parking spaces (valued at circa £24k per annum), be retrospectively approved.

(3)         That authority be delegated to the Director of Environment to approve the appointment of a contractor to carry out works referred to in 2.1 above