Agenda item - Active Travel Fund - A259

Report of the Executive Director, Economy, Environment & Culture

1)             That the committee agrees to make permanent the current A259 Phase 1 cycle lane Experimental Traffic Regulation Order.

2)             That the committee agree that Officers develop options for a permanent scheme to replace the temporary infrastructure, and to consult on those options which will be brought back to a future committee.

56.1      The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director, Economy, Environment & Culture that outlined the consultation feedback and monitoring from an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO) that amended parking and waiting restrictions and introduced a cycle lane on the south side of Kings Road and Kingsway. The report recommended making the Order permanent.

56.2      In response to questions from Councillor Moonan, the Senior Project Manager explained that the eastern direction was identified in the LCWIP, plans for the area were not yet at the detailed design stage pending committee approval and there would be a public consultation upon those covering all modes of transport.

56.3      In reply to questions from Councillor Nemeth, the Senior Project Manager clarified that ETRO’s that had run the permitted 18-month period required a legal status designated.

56.4      In response to a question from Councillor Platts, it was clarified that officers continued to monitor road safety in the area for the blue badge bays  for improvement and five new bays would be positioned on the northern side of the road close to accessible points.

56.5      In reply to questions raised by Councillor Bagaeen, the Legal Officer clarified that the ETRO could not stay in place beyond 18 months. Further, the terms of the ETRO was legally what would be made permanent, and those conditions could not be amended or added to. The Senior Project Manager added that the report only proposed changing the legal status of the area and a further report on the detailed design would be brought to a future committee. In the event the ETRO expired, the current cycle infrastructure would have to be removed at significant cost.

56.6      The Chair then put the recommendations to the vote that were approved with Councillors Bagaeen and Councillor Nemeth voting against recommendation 2.1.

56.7      RESOLVED-

1)             That the committee agrees to make permanent the current A259 Phase 1 cycle lane Experimental Traffic Regulation Order.

2)             That the committee agree that Officers develop options for a permanent scheme to replace the temporary infrastructure, and to consult on those options which will be brought back to a future committee.