Agenda item - Valley Gardens 1&2 Experimental Traffic Regulation Order

Report of the Executive Director, Economy, Environment & Culture

1)             That the Committee, having taken account of all duly made representations and comments, agree that the provisions of the Brighton & Hove (Valley Gardens) Bus Gates and Traffic Management Experimental Order 2020(TRO-9-2020) be made permanent.

2)             That the Committee, having taken account of all duly made representations and comments agree that the provisions of the Brighton & Hove (St Peters Place -Valley Gardens) Bus Gates Experimental Order 2020 (TRO-20-2020) be made permanent.

59.1      The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director, Economy, Environment & Culture that provided an overview of the Traffic Regulation Order consultation responses for two locations associated with the Valley Gardens project and made recommendations based on those responses. 

59.2      In response to questions from Councillor Nemeth, the Senior Project Manager clarified that the TRO was sent to the statutory consultee list, twenty five notices were positioned at key points on site and an advertisement was run in the local printed press. The Head of Parking Services confirmed that 9,618 tickets were issued in October 2021 from four cameras located on Marlborough Place, St George’s Place, St Peter’s Place and York Place. That figure was dropping on a month by month basis.

59.3      Councillor Nemeth stated that until the number of tickets issued came down, the Conservative Group could not support the proposals.

59.4      In response to a question from Councillor Platts, the Head of Parking Services stated the number of tickets was high but the cameras were located in a peak traffic area in the city. Officers had reviewed the signage and lining in the area and would continue to review those. The Head of Parking Services added that any appeals to the fines were submitted to an independent tribunal and the significant majority of cases reviewed by tribunal had found in the council’s favour and upheld the fine. 

59.5      Councillor Lloyd commented that the tickets were issued in line with the law, and he found it likely the committee would welcome such enforcement in other unlawful activity such as littering.

59.6      The Assistant Director, City Transport confirmed that the signage and lining in the area had been independently audited four times and the council had passed those audits. The Assistant Director, City Transport added the bus gate was an important piece of infrastructure toward improving bus services. The process and procedures for the fines issued had satisfied a government body and were broadly comparable with other such high traffic areas across the country.

59.7      Councillor Platts stated that the Labour Group would be supporting the proposals as the area was a key part of bus infrastructure in the city however, the fines issued were very high and that support would be conditional on a guarantee of a review of signage and lining in the area.

59.8      The Chair confirmed that review would be undertaken, and an update of the findings provided.

59.9      The Chair then put the recommendations to the vote that were approved with Councillors Bagaeen and Councillor Nemeth voting against the recommendations.

59.10   RESOLVED-

1)             That the Committee, having taken account of all duly made representations and comments, agree that the provisions of the Brighton & Hove (Valley Gardens) Bus Gates and Traffic Management Experimental Order 2020(TRO-9-2020) be made permanent.

2)             That the Committee, having taken account of all duly made representations and comments agree that the provisions of the Brighton & Hove (St Peters Place -Valley Gardens) Bus Gates Experimental Order 2020 (TRO-20-2020) be made permanent.