Issue - items at meetings - Traffic Regulation Orders - Objections to Orders related to new Developments

Report of the Executive Director Economy, Environment & Culture

TRO-43-2019 Queen Square

1)             That the Urgency Sub-Committee, having taken into account of all the duly made representations and objection, approves the order above as advertised for Queen Square.

TRO-36-2019 Kingsway

2)             That the Urgency Sub-Committee, having taken into account of all the duly made representations and objection, approves the order above as advertised for Kingsway.

4.1          The Urgency Sub-Committee considered a report of the Executive Director, Economy, Environment & Culture that set out the objections and officer responses to traffic regulation orders [TRO] relating to four separate developments and requested approval of the TRO’s.

4.2          Councillor West noted that the local cycle lobby had written to Members with their observations against the proposals for Circus Street and Freehold Terrace and had asked the committee to revisit the design. That was on the basis that the current design created a barrier to cycling as both sites could incorporate contraflow measures for cyclists. Councillor West stated that he was minded to agree to that request and could not support the recommendations that dealt with those locations. Councillor West noted that he was also aware that there were some objections to the consultation period and advertising of the TRO.

4.3          The Head of Transport Policy & Strategy explained that the primary consideration for the design at those two sites stemmed from issues associated with safety for all road users and reflected the findings and recommendations of the independent road safety audit conducted at the sites.

4.4          Councillor Wares observed that there was some similarity with this matter and the Valley Gardens project whereby comments had been received outside the formal consultation period. Councillor Wares stated that he supported Councillor West’s proposal for a delay as he shared the view that the council should reconsider proposals where that could be facilitated, even if that fell outside formal processes as it could improve and refine proposals. Councillor Wares stated that he hoped that Councillor West would hold a similar view on future decisions on the Valley Gardens project.

4.5          The Head of Transport Policy & Strategy explained that the driving factor behind the recommendations made in the report were the findings of the independent road safety audit. Whilst the committee were not bound by those findings and recommendations, there were potential liability implications if those findings were not followed.

4.6          The Chair stated that whilst comments from local organisations were welcomed, the council had a duty of safety to all residents that it had to abide to.

4.7          The Chair then put the recommendations to the vote. Recommendations 2.1 and 2.3 were passed and recommendations 2.2 and 2.4 failed.

4.8          RESOLVED-

TRO-43-2019 Queen Square

1)             That the Urgency Sub-Committee, having taken into account of all the duly made representations and objection, approves the order above as advertised for Queen Square.

TRO-36-2019 Kingsway

2)             That the Urgency Sub-Committee, having taken into account of all the duly made representations and objection, approves the order above as advertised for Kingsway.