Issue - items at meetings - Public Involvement

To consider the following matters raised by members of the public:

(a)      Petitions: to receive any petitions presented to the full council or at the meeting itself;

(b)      Written Questions: to receive any questions submitted by the due date of 12 noon on the (9 June 2016);

(c)      Deputations: to receive any deputations submitted by the due date of 12 noon on the (9 June 2016).

Bi360 Traffic in Trafalgar Road and Church Road, Portslade – referred from Council 24 March 2016.

            Deputations

5.1       The Chair noted that there was one deputation, as well as an associated Member Petition, referred from the Council meeting on 24 May 2016 in relation to proposal to route traffic for the i360 via Trafalgar Road and Church Road in Portslade.

5.2       Following requests from Members it was agreed that a briefing would be sent to the Committee in relation to the proposed signage for the Bi360.

5.3       The Chair noted that the full response, as set below, would be circulated in the minutes:

‘In March, Councillor Morgan outlined the situation on this issue when he responded to the deputation at the Full Council meeting.  I would therefore like to add to what he has already said by highlighting a few points and providing an update.

The British Airways [BA] i360 is already one of the most significant and high profile buildings and visitor attractions in the city and it is expected to help to transform the city’s seafront and tourism offer.  By boosting our wider local economy and that of the wider Greater Brighton City Region, we will see a number of benefits.   

But your deputation and petition also highlight an important issue for us as a Council - how we work together to manage the potential effects on local residents of a unique and significant change like this.  

As Councillor Morgan explained in March, Council Officers are working closely with the British Airways i360's Team, in preparation for its opening.  This has included travel arrangements and information, and therefore they have discussed potential approach routes and traffic signs.  Direction signing for drivers is an important element of this work because the attraction will be a national and international destination and landmark.  Assessing and finalising options and proposals for signing requires discussions between the BAi360 Team, the Council and Government departments and agencies, such as the Department for Transport and Highways England.

The discussions on this particular issue are still not complete.  However, I can assure you that Council Officers are looking at traffic signing across all routes into and out of the city, as people will come from far and wide.  They also expect that most car trips will take place outside of busy times, so should not add to congestion at the busiest times of the day and week. The signs that are erected will not be excessive as they can only be implemented with the money which has been secured through the planning permission.

I have been advised that the BAi360’s website recommends a number of different ways for people to visit the attraction.  Most of these promote sustainable forms of travel such as Park & Ride, train and coach, and it also acknowledges that there are road works in the central part of the city which should be avoided.  However, it no longer recommends a specific route that car drivers should use to reach it.  I therefore hope that this reassures you that they appear to have heard and responded to your representations and they are not specifically directing people to travel through Portslade and use Church Road and Trafalgar Road.  That can be seen as a positive result.

To conclude, the city is continually growing and changing as more and more plans come to fruition, and therefore we have to have a flexible approach to keeping traffic and people moving around the city.  Together with the BAi360 Team, we will do our best to keep a check on how people are travelling and suggest, or make, changes accordingly.  For example, this could take place on an annual basis and include analysis of ticketing purchases and customer information/feedback about journeys which will enable the attraction and the council to take action, if necessary. 

I hope that this reassures you that some change has resulted from the time and efforts that you and others have put in to making your representations’

5.3       RESOLVED – That the Committee note the deputation.

5.4       RESOLVED – That the Committee note the Member petition.

5.5       The Chair noted there were no other items listed under Public Involvement.