Agenda item - Transport Issues Affecting Older People

Discussion with Councillor Ian Davey, Cabinet Member for Transport and the Public Realm

38.1 Councillor Ian Davey said he had been Cabinet Member for Transport and the Public Realm for 11 months; the new committee system structure and roles would be agreed at Council meetings on 26 April and 17 May.

38.2 Councillor Davey set out his vision for a City that looks better, feels better and work better, with less congestion, cleaner air and a better public realm. He wanted to see more people walking, cycling and using public transport, he said.

38.3 Transport was one of the biggest issues for the City. There were particular problems of congestion and air quality. Parts of Lewes Road especially were far from meeting EU air quality targets. Road Safety too was not as good as it should be and not improving as well as we would like. Improving the quality of the public realm was also an important aim.

38.4 Key issues were how to improve traffic flows, improve air quality, reduce the overall amount of traffic and make the best use of road space as possible. At present around 80% of the road space was being used by only 20% of people. The ‘ideal’ sustainable transport hierarchy gave the order of priority to pedestrians, cyclists and public transport, followed by car use.

38.5 Councillor Davey was generally pleased with progress so far. Around £8million new funding had been awarded to the Council for improvements including Lewes Road (currently for consultation), better buses and cycle lanes on Old Shoreham Road. He described recent work on roads and pavements; decluttering, pedestrian crossings, seating, planters; and outlined improved bus and cycling priorities, new bus shelters and real time bus information.

38.6 Concessionary bus fares for older people would continue though the eligibility age was expected to rise. Most of the Local Transport Plan capital budget was being protected and more funding than previously was being allocated to maintenance including pavements, road surfaces, street lights and seafront arches, all important infrastructure for the City.

38.7 Councillor Davey was looking to introduce 20mph speed limit areas into more residential parts of the city. He referred to other public realm projects that were long-term, including Station Gateway, New England Quarter and Valley Gardens.

38.8 Councillor Davey was especially pleased there would be consultation on improvements in Seven Dials, currently an accident black spot area, where communities could be brought together by improving the road system and reducing the need for railings.

38.9 Councillor Davey answered questions on supported buses, the level of bus fares, parking fees and charges and pedestrianisation:

- results of tendering process for supported bus routes would be known in June/July

- passengers were being encouraged to buy bus tickets at lower prices in advance and on-line. Local Authorities worked in cooperation with bus companies but could not stipulate routes nor charges.

- increased parking charges were effectively an extension of high tariff zones, to areas of high demand including the seafront. Parking fees were much lower outside the central areas of the City and the effects of changes were being monitored. The parking review was seeking views on Controlled Parking Zones and good ideas were being brought forward. Meanwhile areas of parking zones and re-consultation had been prioritised where there was strong resident support.

- the layout of shared road space in New Road was regarded as a good model for elsewhere; a ban on vehicles was unnecessary.

- Some OPC Members spoke strongly about disruption caused by roadworks. In reply, Councillor Davey said Local Authorities were obliged to allow access for utilities to carry out essential works. There had been difficulties in the Ditchling Road area but UK Power Networks had provided a Community Transport bus service. A possible move to a ‘permit’ system, being piloted elsewhere, was being investigated. Officers worked well to minimise disruption but road space and bus options were limited.

38.10 Answering questions on cycle lanes from Kat Pearce of Age UK B&H, Councillor Davey said the aim was to provide as high-quality cycle infrastructure as possible. Seville had developed an extensive integrated network of separated cycling facilities, catering for less able cyclists including children and older people, he said.

38.11 With regarded to Park and Ride, various schemes had been looked at over the years but lack of suitable sites and competition with other priority uses, meant that these had not been possible. It was difficult to see how park and ride could be developed for Brighton & Hove, with the advent of the South Downs National Park.

38.12 Car Clubs were a method to help tackle congestion. Car Club membership in Brighton & Hove was the highest outside London and further work was in progress.

38.13 Other questions covered; monitoring the impact of cycle lanes and other changes, such as introduction of new traffic lights at Grand Avenue/New Church Road; drop-off points at major venues for older people.

38.14 Information on accidents to older people over 60 would be provided.

38.15 Jack Hazelgrove thanked Councillor Davey for speaking to the OPC and answering questions.