Agenda item - Car Free Day and Access Grant funded Projects

Report of the Executive Director, Economy, Environment & Culture

That the committee: -

1)           Progress the development of possible school road closures and events for European Mobility Week and Car Free Day 2020 in association with the extension (Year 4) of the council’s Access Fund Project in 2020/21 and a School Streets taster day, subject to confirmation from the Government of the funding for that project, and subject to agreement of the proposed school selection criteria (Appendix 1);

2)           Note the feasibility assessment (Appendix 2) and indicative costs (Appendix 3) associated with various options for potential non-school Car Free Day road closures and to request that officers undertake further consultation with Ward members and other key stakeholders on the option(s) (named in Appendix 2 & 3) preferred by members subject to an additional budget being identified;

3)           Request that officers liaise with Ward councillors, residents and other stakeholders regarding a non-school road closure on the A259 from Middle St to Pool Valley and The Lanes: (Boyce's St; Middle St; Duke St; Ship Street; Prince Albert St; Bartholomews; East Street) to occur in 2020 for Car Free Day as part of Year 4 of the Access Projects;

4)           Welcome requests for community events or activities in local streets that will contribute to the council’s participation in European Mobility Week and Car Free Day 2020.

62.1      The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director, Economy, Environment & Culture that set out options for a Car Free Day to be held on 22 September 2020 and other options including school and non-school road closures.

62.2      Councillor West asked if Boundary Road was proposed as the preferred option as per recommendation 2.3 as recommendation 2.2 referred to additional consultation.

62.3      The Access Fund Manager confirmed that Boundary Road was the preferred option and clarified that recommendation 2.2 was reference to further work required on other sites for a non-school closure.

62.4      Councillor West stated that his preference was for a more central location for a Car Free Day and the city centre was ideal as both a visitor destination and a prominent location. Councillor West stated his preference for a Car Free Day event on the stretch of the A259 between Middle Street and Pool Valley as this would ensure the event was as visible and high profile as possible but also maintain access to Churchill Square and to coaches in Pool Valley.

62.5      As clarification, the Access Fund Manager explained that Boundary Road had been chosen due to its high levels of traffic, high rates of car ownership and as a location where planning for such an event would be more feasible in the timeframe compared with a major city centre location.

62.6      Councillor Wares noted that the closure of St James’s Street was forecast to cost £55,800 and asked if this was the same cost as for the Pride Party. Councillor Wares asked if there were other instances in the calendar year where the section of the A259 referred to was closed to traffic.

62.7      The Access Fund Manger explained to the cost to the council for a Car Free Day road closure on St James’s Street and the cost to the Pride Trust were not comparable as the costs incurred for each party would be for very different things. The Access Fund Manager confirmed that the section of the A259 discussed was closed during the Brighton Marathon.

62.8      Councillor Wares stated that whilst closing a section of the A259 would be a big task, there was some experience in the procedures for doing so linked to other events. Councillor Wares explained that he did understand the educational and awareness benefits of a closure on Boundary Road. Councillor Wares stated that he found it curious that there was no commitment for funding for certain elements of the report proposals when the Administration controlled the council budget and could make such a commitment.

62.9      Councillor Heley welcomed the report stating that although there was a good case for Boundary Road to host a Car Free Day, a city centre location would be beneficial in terms of attendance, scale and profile.

62.10   Councillor Davis asked when the first School Streets events were scheduled to take place.

62.11   The Access Fund Manager replied that there would be a Taster Day to coincide with Car Free Day and following appropriate timescales, the first timed School Streets road closure would be in February 2021.

62.12   Councillor Moonan asked how schools could apply to be part of the School Streets taster day as she was aware of two schools in Central Hove ward that experienced multiple problems relating to traffic.

62.13   The Access Fund Manager explained that the locations were subject to the funding available through the Access Fund and there was a case that the school chosen should be within the area that Fund was designated.

62.14   Councillor Wilkinson welcomed the report that would benefit the environment and air quality however, he believed there was much more to do to make meaningful change than a one-day event.

62.15   The Executive Director, Economy, Environment & Culture noted that as identified in the report’s financial implications, the funding for a non-school Car Free Day was subject to the budget process and Budget Council in February 2020 and the funding for the location proposed or an alternative location, would be dependent on the outcome of that process.

The meeting was adjourned at 7.30pm and reconvened at 7.40pm

62.16   Councillor West proposed a joint motion to amend recommendations 2.2 and 2.3 as shown in bold italics and strikethrough below:

2.2      To note the feasibility assessment (Appendix 2) and indicative costs (Appendix 3) associated with various options for potential non-school Car Free Day road closures and to request that officers undertake further consultation with Ward members and other key stakeholders on the option(s) (named in Appendix 2 & 3)  preferred by members subject to an additional budget of up to £65,000 being identified;

2.3    Request that officers liaise with Ward councillors , residents and other stakeholders regarding a potential non-school road closure in Boundary Road that could on the A259 from Middle St to Pool Valley and The Lanes: (Boyce's St; Middle St; Duke St; Ship Street; Prince Albert St; Bartholomews; East Street) to occur in 2020 for Car Free Day as part of Year 4 of the Access Projects;

62.17   Councillor Wares formally seconded the joint motion.

62.18   The Chair put the motion to the vote that passed.

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

62.20   RESOLVED- That the committee:

1)           Progress the development of possible school road closures and events for European Mobility Week and Car Free Day 2020 in association with the extension (Year 4) of the council’s Access Fund Project in 2020/21 and a School Streets taster day, subject to confirmation from the Government of the funding for that project, and subject to agreement of the proposed school selection criteria (Appendix 1);

2)           Note the feasibility assessment (Appendix 2) and indicative costs (Appendix 3) associated with various options for potential non-school Car Free Day road closures and to request that officers undertake further consultation with Ward members and other key stakeholders on the option(s) (named in Appendix 2 & 3) preferred by members subject to an additional budget being identified;

3)           Request that officers liaise with Ward councillors, residents and other stakeholders regarding a non-school road closure on the A259 from Middle St to Pool Valley and The Lanes: (Boyce's St; Middle St; Duke St; Ship Street; Prince Albert St; Bartholomews; East Street) to occur in 2020 for Car Free Day as part of Year 4 of the Access Projects;

4)           Welcome requests for community events or activities in local streets that will contribute to the council’s participation in European Mobility Week and Car Free Day 2020.