Report of the Executive Director of City Futures
Decision:
11.1 |
The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director-City Futures detailing the consultation response to the Experimental Traffic Order for Division Street, to report the receipt of objections and set out the Council’s response. |
|
|
11.2 |
RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Transport, Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee: |
|
Approve that the Experimental Traffic Order be made permanent. Objectors will then be informed of the decision by the Council’s Traffic Regulations team. The order will be made permanent by way of a Traffic Regulation Order which makes the provisions of the Experimental Traffic Order permanent, in accordance with the procedure set out under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984.
|
|
|
11.3 |
Reasons for Decision |
|
|
11.3.1 |
The prohibition of driving on parts of Division Street creates a safer environment for cyclists on this section of Division Street. Before driving was prohibited, people could not cycle safely with a high flow of traffic travelling along the route and a lot of parked cars. The changes made significantly reduce the number of cars travelling along Division St creating a safer cycling environment. This should help encourage more people to cycle along the route and through the city centre. |
|
|
11.3.2 |
The prohibition of driving on parts of Division Street creates a safer environment for pedestrians. There is not enough space for groups of pedestrians to stay on the pavement on the closed section of Division Street. This becomes a safety issue in busy periods with pedestrians often having to walk on the road, increasing the risk of conflict with motor vehicles. The changes allow pedestrians to safely walk through this section of Division St. |
|
|
11.3.3 |
Since the changes were implemented, many street cafes along the closed section of Division St have taken the opportunity to offer outdoor seating. This was initially in response to covid restrictions however many have continued to offer this since restrictions have been eased. This has allowed them to increase their capacity and improves the local street scene.
The scheme is also a good strategic fit with the key aims of the third core objective of the Sheffield Transport Strategy (2019):
• Sustainable safety, safe walking and cycling as standard • Improved air quality and working to manage congestion • Improving poor health and poor access to jobs and services |
|
|
11.3.4 |
Having considered the response from the public and other consultees it is recommended that the Division Street ETRO be implemented as, on balance, benefits of the scheme in terms of safety and sustainability outweigh the concerns raised. It is also recommended that a re-deployable enforcement camera is installed to enforce restrictions in the pedestrianised area. It is also recommended that a review of the changes be undertaken once the Kangaroo Works construction has completed. |
|
|
11.4 |
Alternatives Considered and Rejected |
|
|
11.4.1 |
Considering the objections received, consideration was given to recommending the removal of the modal filters and allowing motor vehicles to drive along all of Division St again. However, such a recommendation could result in many of the benefits outlined in the report such as improved safety for cyclists and pedestrians and space for outdoor seating being lost.
|
11.4.2 |
Consideration was also given to implementing a westbound one-way restriction through the currently pedestrianised section of Division St, keeping half of the road pedestrianised or for outdoor seating. However, such a recommendation would increase the flow of traffic travelling along Division St and reduce safety and accessibility for cyclists. |
11.4.3 |
Consideration was also given to re-instating the original one-way on Westfield Terrace to southbound. However, such a recommendation would result in traffic travelling east on Devonshire St having to make a U-turn when at the junction with Westfield Terrace. This option could be re-assessed once the Kangaroo Works construction has finished.
|
11.4.4 |
Consideration was also given to fully pedestrianizing the section of Division St between Rockingham St and Westfield Terrace. However, such a recommendation would remove access to the private car park on Canning St. This option could be re-assessed once the Kangaroo Works construction has finished. |
Minutes:
11.1 |
The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director-City Futures detailing the consultation response to the Experimental Traffic Order for Division Street, to report the receipt of objections and set out the Council’s response. |
|
|
11.2 |
It was acknowledged that an incorrect signage plate was in place within the ETRO area. The officer explained that the Council had carried out the enforcement of waiting restrictions at Division Street where double yellow lines were in place – these were existing restrictions unaffected by the ETO. It had not enforced the restriction indicated in the incorrect plate and therefore it had had no effect on the operation of the experimental scheme. |
|
|
11.3 |
During the discussion of the above item the Committee agreed, in accordance with Council Procedure Rules, that as the meeting was approaching the end of the 30 minutes extension period, the meeting should be extended by a period of 30 minutes. |
|
|
11.4 |
RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Transport, Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee: |
|
Approve that the Experimental Traffic Order be made permanent. Objectors will then be informed of the decision by the Council’s Traffic Regulations team. The order will be made permanent by way of a Traffic Regulation Order which makes the provisions of the Experimental Traffic Order permanent, in accordance with the procedure set out under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984. |
|
|
11.5 |
Reasons for Decision |
|
|
11.5.1 |
The prohibition of driving on parts of Division Street creates a safer environment for cyclists on this section of Division Street. Before driving was prohibited, people could not cycle safely with a high flow of traffic travelling along the route and a lot of parked cars. The changes made significantly reduce the number of cars travelling along Division St creating a safer cycling environment. This should help encourage more people to cycle along the route and through the city centre. |
|
|
11.5.2 |
The prohibition of driving on parts of Division Street creates a safer environment for pedestrians. There is not enough space for groups of pedestrians to stay on the pavement on the closed section of Division Street. This becomes a safety issue in busy periods with pedestrians often having to walk on the road, increasing the risk of conflict with motor vehicles. The changes allow pedestrians to safely walk through this section of Division St. |
|
|
11.5.3 |
Since the changes were implemented, many street cafes along the closed section of Division St have taken the opportunity to offer outdoor seating. This was initially in response to covid restrictions however many have continued to offer this since restrictions have been eased. This has allowed them to increase their capacity and improves the local street scene.
The scheme is also a good strategic fit with the key aims of the third core objective of the Sheffield Transport Strategy (2019):
• Sustainable safety, safe walking and cycling as standard • Improved air quality and working to manage congestion • Improving poor health and poor access to jobs and services |
|
|
11.5.4 |
Having considered the response from the public and other consultees it is recommended that the Division Street ETRO be implemented as, on balance, benefits of the scheme in terms of safety and sustainability outweigh the concerns raised. It is also recommended that a re-deployable enforcement camera is installed to enforce restrictions in the pedestrianised area. It is also recommended that a review of the changes be undertaken once the Kangaroo Works construction has completed. |
|
|
11.6 |
Alternatives Considered and Rejected |
|
|
11.6.1 |
Considering the objections received, consideration was given to recommending the removal of the modal filters and allowing motor vehicles to drive along all of Division St again. However, such a recommendation could result in many of the benefits outlined in the report such as improved safety for cyclists and pedestrians and space for outdoor seating being lost.
|
11.6.2 |
Consideration was also given to implementing a westbound one-way restriction through the currently pedestrianised section of Division St, keeping half of the road pedestrianised or for outdoor seating. However, such a recommendation would increase the flow of traffic travelling along Division St and reduce safety and accessibility for cyclists. |
11.6.3 |
Consideration was also given to re-instating the original one-way on Westfield Terrace to southbound. However, such a recommendation would result in traffic travelling east on Devonshire St having to make a U-turn when at the junction with Westfield Terrace. This option could be re-assessed once the Kangaroo Works construction has finished.
|
11.6.4 |
Consideration was also given to fully pedestrianizing the section of Division St between Rockingham St and Westfield Terrace. However, such a recommendation would remove access to the private car park on Canning St. This option could be re-assessed once the Kangaroo Works construction has finished. |
Supporting documents: