Agenda item - Clean Air Day and Car Free Day

Report of the Executive Director, Economy, Environment & Culture

2.1         That the Committee requests that officers approach Rottingdean Parish Council to discuss opportunities to work jointly on a Clean Air Day initiative in June 2020.

2.2      That the Committee agrees to receive a further report to the next ETS committee, to consider options for participating in European Mobility Week and Car Free Day in September 2020, with such a report including:

·         a list of options for road closures and detail of the effects on traffic; including the feasibility of road closures in areas already identified by some residents via petitions to this council, such as St James Street and roads on the seafront

·         a detailed analysis of the costs associated with closing a road and/or multiple roads in Brighton and Hove, with consideration given as to how these costs may be provided for in the council’s 2020/21 budget planning

·         further detail on the nature of community events that could be organised on roads, detailing and exploring the amazing and unique opportunity that road closures provide, as well as further analysis on how events such as this act can act as the first steps towards tackling the public health crisis of air pollution and becoming a carbon-neutral city by 2030

50.1      The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director, Economy, Environment & Culture that outlined the background to two primary and recognised events, which are Clean Air Day and Car Free Day, and outlined possible options available to the council to undertake activities and encourage people to participate in them in 2020.

50.2      On behalf of the Gren Group, Councillor Heley moved a motion to amend recommendation 2.2 as shown in bold italics below:

2.2      That the Committee agrees to receive a further report to the next ETS committee, to consider options for participating in European Mobility Week and Car Free Day in September 2020, with such a report including:

·         a list of options for road closures and detail of the effects on traffic; including the feasibility of road closures in areas already identified by some residents via petitions to this council, such as St James Street and roads on the seafront

·         a detailed analysis of the costs associated with closing a road and/or multiple roads in Brighton and Hove, with consideration given as to how these costs may be provided for in the council’s 2020/21 budget planning

further detail on the nature of community events that could be organised on roads, detailing and exploring the amazing and unique opportunity that road closures provide, as well as further analysis on how events such as this act can act as the first steps towards tackling the public health crisis of air pollution and becoming a carbon-neutral city by 2030

50.3      Introducing the motion, Councillor Heley stated that the report lacked ambition and ideas and the motion provided a list of actions and recognised the urgency required in addressing the climate emergency.

50.4      Councillor Lloyd formally seconded the motion.

50.5      Councillor Wares stated his support for the motion and noted that this was the fifth request since March 2018 for the committee to receive a report on the matter. Referring to paragraph 3.10, Councillor Wares asked what projects the £1.5m in Access for Sustainable Travel Programme funded and what assessments were made to ensure those projects had and continued to have value and the benefits of the investment.

50.6      Referring to the time traffic restrictions in place outside St Luke’s School, Councillor Brown asked if there had been any feedback received to indicate the project had been successful and if the project could be extended if so.

50.7      The Assistant Director, City Transport confirmed that the information was available and could be provided to Councillor Brown after the meeting. Furthermore, a briefing note could be provided to Councillor Wares on the Sustainable Travel Programme investment and projects.

50.8      The Chair then put the motion to the vote that passed.

50.9      The Chair then put the recommendations, as amended to the vote that were agreed.

50.10   RESOVLED-

1)           That the Committee requests that officers approach Rottingdean Parish Council to discuss opportunities to work jointly on a Clean Air Day initiative in June 2020.

2)            That the Committee agrees to receive a further report to the next ETS committee, to consider options for participating in European Mobility Week and Car Free Day in September 2020, with such a report including:

·         a list of options for road closures and detail of the effects on traffic; including the feasibility of road closures in areas already identified by some residents via petitions to this council, such as St James Street and roads on the seafront

·         a detailed analysis of the costs associated with closing a road and/or multiple roads in Brighton and Hove, with consideration given as to how these costs may be provided for in the council’s 2020/21 budget planning

·         further detail on the nature of community events that could be organised on roads, detailing and exploring the amazing and unique opportunity that road closures provide, as well as further analysis on how events such as this act can act as the first steps towards tackling the public health crisis of air pollution and becoming a carbon-neutral city by 2030