Agenda item - Access to SDNP - Ditchling Road: Permission to construct (phase 1)

Report of the Executive Director of Environment, Development & Housing (copy attached).

1.        That the Committee notes the results of the informal consultation, showing 62% support for the proposal to improve the Ditchling Road environment to enable people to walk, cycle and take the bus comfortably to the South Downs National Park and 67% support the proposal to reduce the speed limit on Ditchling Road from 60mph to 40mph along Ditchling Road between Coldean Lane and Woodbourne Avenue and grants permission to proceed with those elements of the scheme not bound by Traffic Regulation or Speed Reduction Order as set out in paragraph 3.11(a) to (f) of the report.

2.   That the Committee grants permission to the Executive Director Environment, Development & Housing to proceed with advertisement of a Speed Reduction Order in relation to the measures set out at paragraph 3.11(g) in the report and        that any objections to the Speed Reduction Order are brought to the next Environment and Sustainability Committee for consideration. 

3.         That the Committee notes that a report will be brought back to this Committee prior to the introduction of the limit and associated features.

4.         That the Committee instructs officers to submit a report to Policy & Resources Committee recommending that the land adjacent to Ditchling Road, which is currently not available for Highway use, is appropriated for highway purposes.

5.         That the Committee instructs officers to investigate the legal and regulatory requirements necessary for the introduction of open grazing and to bring a further report to ETS Committee with the outcome of the investigations and any subsequent recommendations.

35.1         The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director of Environment, Development & Housing that requested permission to proceed with the implementation of facilities on Ditchling Road which that would support people walking, cycling and using public transport to access the South Downs National Park (SDNP). The scheme was a part of the funding secured in 2012 for the 2 National Parks Local Sustainable Transport Fund to improve sustainable transport access to the SDNP.

35.2         Councillor Theobald welcomed the scheme but noted the concern of his residents regarding the proposals for sheep grazing either side of the road.

35.3         The Principal Transport Planner stated this was also the main issue raised in the consultation and it was proposed that that element of the scheme be withdrawn and further investigative work carried out.

35.4         Councillor Mitchell stated that, since the creation of the SDNP, it was necessary to improve the surrounding roads. Councillor Mitchell stated that she welcomed the majority of measures and the scheme itself but had reservations regarding the removal of road lining. Councillor Mitchell asked if the removal of road lining could be delayed pending a monitoring scheme for the impact of speed limit reduction.

35.5         The Principal Transport Planner explained that there were a number of elements to the scheme that would have to implemented carefully and in co-operation with Sussex Police. Removal of the road linage was part of a wider package of measures for speed reduction along the road. Studies had demonstrated that drivers travelling along a road absent of lineage consider their actions much more carefully than when travelling on a lined road.

35.6         Councillor Cox stated that the current conditions were very poor for walking to the SDNP and the area itself did not currently reflect a rural gateway to a National Park. Councillor Cox explained that whilst he had reservations about sheep grazing either side of the road, cattle grids would provide a much more suitable introduction and impression to the National Park entrance.

35.7         RESOLVED-

1.        That the Committee notes the results of the informal consultation, showing 62% support for the proposal to improve the Ditchling Road environment to enable people to walk, cycle and take the bus comfortably to the South Downs National Park and 67% support the proposal to reduce the speed limit on Ditchling Road from 60mph to 40mph along Ditchling Road between Coldean Lane and Woodbourne Avenue and grants permission to proceed with those elements of the scheme not bound by Traffic Regulation or Speed Reduction Order as set out in paragraph 3.11(a) to (f) of the report.

2.        That the Committee grants permission to the Executive Director Environment, Development & Housing to proceed with advertisement of a Speed Reduction Order in relation to the measures set out at paragraph 3.11(g) in the report and that any objections to the Speed Reduction Order are brought to the next Environment and Sustainability Committee for consideration. 

3.         That the Committee notes that a report will be brought back to this Committee prior to the introduction of the limit and associated features.

4.         That the Committee instructs officers to submit a report to Policy & Resources Committee recommending that the land adjacent to Ditchling Road, which is currently not available for Highway use, is appropriated for highway purposes.

5.         That the Committee instructs officers to investigate the legal and regulatory requirements necessary for the introduction of open grazing and to bring a further report to ETS Committee with the outcome of the investigations and any subsequent recommendations.