Agenda item - 20mph Programme

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

1.            That the Committee notes the results of the public consultation on proposals to implement 20mph speed limits in Medina Terrace, Mile Oak, Hangleton, Woodingdean, Rottingdean & Ovingdean and Saltdean.

2.            That the Committee notes the positive results of the first year of implementation of Phase 1 of  the 20mph programme in Central Brighton &  Hove.

3.            That the Committee authorises officers to proceed with advertising the formalSpeed Limit Orders (SLO) for the changes in speed limits for the Hove Park area as described in paragraphs 4.28 to 4.32.

4.            That the Committee authorises officers to proceed with advertising the formalSpeed Limit Orders (SLO) for the changes in speed limits for the Medina Terrace area as described in paragraph 4.39.

5.            That the Committee authorises officers to proceed with advertising the formalSpeed Limit Orders (SLO) for the changes in speed limit to the Mile Oak area as described in paragraph 4.41.

6.            That the Committee authorises officers to proceed with advertising the formalSpeed Limit Orders (SLO) for the changes in speed limit to the Hangleton area as described in paragraphs 4.45 to 4.46

7.            That the Committee authorises officers to proceed with advertising the formalSpeed Limit Orders (SLO) for the changes in speed limit to the Rottingdean and Ovingdean area as described in paragraphs 4.49 to 4.51

8.            That the Committee authorises officers to proceed with advertising the formalSpeed Limit Orders (SLO) for the changes in speed limit to the Saltdean area as described in paragraphs 4.59 to 4.60.

9.            That the Committee instructs officers to continue the comprehensive monitoring and evaluation programme of the programme report on this to Committee at regular intervals together with any resulting recommendations for alterations or other remedial actions that may be identified.

10.         That the Committee note the ongoing forward programme of the 20mph programme as outlined in paragraph 6.5.

75.1      The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director Environment, Development & Housing that updated the Committee on the progress and monitoring of Phases 1 and 2 of the 20mph programme, outlined the results of the recent public consultation on proposals for Phase 3 of the programme and presented proposals for Phase 3, informed by the consultation and requested approval to advertised the necessary Speed Limit Orders (SLO’s).

75.2      Councillor Cox stated that whilst he supported 20mph in principle, he was concerned that claims had been made to the positive outcome of the programme that were premature as longer term data was required to make such assertions. Councillor Cox stated that he would be supporting the recommendations of the report with the exception of recommendation 2.8 as the scheme required public and ward councillor support and this was not forthcoming in the case of Woodingdean.

75.3      Councillor Mitchell stated that she too would be supporting the recommendations of the report with the exception of recommendation 2.8. Whilst she was grateful to officers for explaining the situation in Woodingdean, Councillor Mitchell was concerned that the results showed a clear divide between two areas in support and against. Councillor Mitchell also stated her concern that the proposals would not decrease rat running east of Falmer Road and the area needed to be looked at again.

75.4      Councillor Robins asked if there was an ongoing maintenance programme for the 20mph scheme as many signs and lines were showing signs of wear and tear in Portslade.

75.5      The Principal Transport Planner confirmed that 20mph signs became part of the normal maintenance programme as with all signs adding that she would urge reporting of signs that needed replacement so the work could be carried out.

75.6      Councillor Hawtree stated that he supported the proposals and was pleased to see an initial decrease in accidents and congestion and an improvement in air quality.

75.7      Councillor Janio stated that he too would be supporting the recommendations with the exception of 2.8 as he felt it was very important for Members to listen to local people when arriving at decisions and there was no clear public support for 20mph in Woodingdean ward. Councillor Janio noted that he had campaigned for lower limits in his own ward of Hangelton which had a high number of school children.

75.8      Councillor Theobald asked what the maintenance cost of 20mph signs amounted to.

75.9      The Principal Transport Planner answered that it was very difficult to provide a definite figure as it was subject to a number of variables including accidents and vandalism. The Principal Transport Planner clarified that there was a £20,000 budget for replacement however; very little of that budget had been spent. Furthermore, replacement signs cost less than £20 each and lining was undertaken within existing work.

75.10   Councillor Mitchell asked for clarification on this point as she understood that council policy meant that lining could only be undertaken inside a Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ).

75.11   The Head of Transport clarified that any new requests for lining could only be undertaken inside CPZ’s however, refreshment of existing lines could be carried out anywhere in the city with the cost of doing so relatively small.

75.12   Councillor Davey stated that he agreed with Councillor Cox’s observation that caution was required adding that officers had been clear that robust information could only be available after three years. However, Councillor Davey stated that that had to be balanced against the Committee’s need for data to inform its next steps and as an update on progress. Councillor Davey noted that the data clearly showed a reduction on road casualties over the past three years adding that credit was also due to the coalition government for encouraging authorities to introduce 20mph limits. Councillor Davey stated that he hoped 20mph would become the standardised limit in residential areas in the future, with signage only necessary for speed limits above that.

75.13   RESOLVED-

1.            That the Committee notes the results of the public consultation on proposals to implement 20mph speed limits in Medina Terrace, Mile Oak, Hangleton, Woodingdean, Rottingdean & Ovingdean and Saltdean.

2.            That the Committee notes the positive results of the first year of implementation of Phase 1 of  the 20mph programme in Central Brighton &  Hove.

3.            That the Committee authorises officers to proceed with advertising the formal Speed Limit Orders (SLO) for the changes in speed limits for the Hove Park area as described in paragraphs 4.28 to 4.32.

4.            That the Committee authorises officers to proceed with advertising the formal Speed Limit Orders (SLO) for the changes in speed limits for the Medina Terrace area as described in paragraph 4.39.

5.            That the Committee authorises officers to proceed with advertising the formal Speed Limit Orders (SLO) for the changes in speed limit to the Mile Oak area as described in paragraph 4.41.

6.            That the Committee authorises officers to proceed with advertising the formal Speed Limit Orders (SLO) for the changes in speed limit to the Hangleton area as described in paragraphs 4.45 to 4.46

7.            That the Committee authorises officers to proceed with advertising the formal Speed Limit Orders (SLO) for the changes in speed limit to the Rottingdean and Ovingdean area as described in paragraphs 4.49 to 4.51

8.            That the Committee authorises officers to proceed with advertising the formal Speed Limit Orders (SLO) for the changes in speed limit to the Saltdean area as described in paragraphs 4.59 to 4.60.

9.            That the Committee instructs officers to continue the comprehensive monitoring and evaluation programme of the programme report on this to Committee at regular intervals together with any resulting recommendations for alterations or other remedial actions that may be identified.

10.         That the Committee note the ongoing forward programme of the 20mph programme as outlined in paragraph 6.5.