Meeting documents
Executive (I)
Friday, 1st November, 2013
| REPORT TO: | 84 |
| DECISION NUMBER: | PH/115/2013 |
| EARLIEST DATE FOR DECISION: | 1st November 2013 |
CENTRAL DRIVE CONTRA-FLOW CONSULTATION RESPONSE | |
| Matter for Consideration: Following the consultation on permanent Traffic Regulation Orders for Central Drive as part of the Contra-flow scheme, a decision is required as to whether to implement these Traffic Regulation Orders. | |
| Information: On 30th August 2013, the Council advertised a series of Traffic Regulation Orders (TRO) required to enable the Central Drive contra-flow project to proceed. Several objections were received from residents, some of which were very similar. A summary of the objections and the departmental response to these are detailed below. 1. Reducing Central Drive to one lane will cause additional congestion and delays to vehicles travelling north. This will delay the buses and negate the benefit of the contra-flow lane. Response: The Transportation team have carried out extensive modelling based on peak time vehicle count data which shows that the changes will not cause significant additional congestion. Local widening is proposed at the junction of New Bonny Street that would provide a "release valve" were any traffic to build up. 2. There is congestion on Coronation Street that has been caused by the decision to install a cycle lane on Reads Avenue. Response: Under the current arrangement, buses use Albert Road, Coronation St and Reads Avenue to travel south which is significantly longer than Central Drive and involves travelling through three signal junctions. The cycle lane gives way to other traffic and so shouldn't cause additional delays. The junction of Reads Avenue and Central Drive would be modified as part of these proposals. 3. The scheme is designed to save the bus company money. Response: The primary consideration is to save time and reduce emissions. Any financial benefit the bus companies may achieve is purely coincidental. 4. Can some parking bays on Central Drive be made Limited Waiting for 15-20mins? Response: There are no parking bays on Central Drive within the area and there is not enough road width to include any. The comment will be passed to the Traffic Management team for consideration. 5. Parking is a problem in the area and as part of the scheme the council should extend private driveways or reserved parking bays for residents. Response: The scheme should have no effect on the parking situation in the area as no parking spaces are being reduced or removed. 6. Right turning bans should be included at junctions from Central Drive to prevent taxis holding up traffic waiting to turn into junctions. Response: This is included as part of the proposals. 7. The parking bay on Reads Avenue near Central Drive should be removed to create two lanes of traffic. Response: This is included as part of the proposals. 8. Limiting loading times to between 12am and 8am would have a detrimental effect on local businesses. Response: Loading bays have been provided on side streets and for an hour in the morning. Allowing vehicles to load during other times would cause delays to traffic using the contra-flow lane. The Legal Considerations section of this Report sets out the general duty to have regard to certain material factors when the Council exercises functions under the legislation. | |
| Does the information submitted include any exempt information? | NO |
| Legal Considerations: Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 (particularly ss1-4 and 122). Section 122 provides that it is the duty of an authority to exercise its functions (so far as practicable having regard to the matters set out subsequently) to secure the expeditious, convenient and safe movement of traffic (vehicles and pedestrians) and adequate parking facilities. Regard has to be made to various matters including (i)the desirability of securing and maintaining reasonable access to premises, (ii)the effect on the amenities of any locality and (without prejudice to the generality of that) the importance of regulating and restricting the use of roads by heavy commercial vehicles, so as to preserve or improve the amenities of the area, (iii)the importance of facilitating the passage of public service vehicles and the safety of and convenience of those using or desiring to use such vehicles, (iv) national air quality strategy, and (v)any other matters appearing to be relevant. | |
| Personnel Considerations: None | |
| Financial Considerations: None | |
| Performance Management Considerations: None | |
| Risk Management Considerations: None | |
| Relevant Officer: Peter Cross | |
| Relevant Cabinet Member: Councillor J. Jones | |
| Consultation Undertaken: Consultation has been carried out with local residents and businesses and adverts have been placed in the local paper. Notices have been displayed on site. | |
| Background Papers: None | |
| Is this a key decision? | NO |
| Is the decision required in less than 5 days? | NO |
| Recommendations: To consider the responses to the Central Drive Contra-flow consultation and decide whether to proceed. | |
| Reasons for Recommendations: To enable the scheme to proceed. | |
| Is the recommendation contrary to a plan or strategy adopted or approved by the Council? | NO |
| Is the recommendation in accordance with the Council’s approved Budget? | YES |
| Other alternative options to be considered: Not to proceed with the scheme. | |
| Policy, Overview, and Scrutiny Committee Chairman (where appropriate) Date Informed: N/A Date Approved: N/A | |
| DECLARATION(S) OF INTEREST (if applicable) None | |
| Decision: The Cabinet Member resolved as follows: To proceed with the scheme as originally proposed. | |
| Date: | 1st November 2013 |
| Reason for Decision: Having considered the proposal and the representations, the Cabinet Member is satisfied that the order is necessary and proportionate. | |
Date of Publication: | 1st November 2013 |
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