Decision details

10.1

To report the receipt of objections to the advertised Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) required to fulfil the objectives of the City Centre Active Travel and Public Transport Scheme. If approved, the TRO will revoke other, existing TROs and introduce new provisions as necessary so as to implement bus gates, one-way restrictions, prohibition of motor vehicles and changes to loading and waiting restrictions.

The report also sets out a brief background to the scheme which the order is intended to facilitate, other consultation comments, officer feedback and recommendations

10.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Transport, Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee approves that the TRO be made (with an amendment to the order to provide a ‘loading area’ of 13.5 metres to enable vehicles with a permit to load and unload on Surrey Street, near the junction with Norfolk Street) in accordance with the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984. Objectors will then be informed of the decision by the Council’s Traffic Regulations team and the order implemented on street subject to no road safety issues being identified through a Road Safety Audit (RSA) at the detailed design stage.

10.3

Reasons for Decision

10.3.1

As outlined in Section One, the location of the City Centre scheme, and the potential impact it would have on improving the retail vitality and cultural offer, makes this a high profile and significant proposal. Approving the TRO with amendment as detailed in Section 2.7 will enable a positive transformation of the City Centre, the opportunity and funding for which would be lost if not progressed at the present time.

10.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

10.4.1

Alternative Option 1:

Surrey Street: Loading Requirements

One alternative that was considered were amendments to the design on Surrey Street to accommodate loading requirements of the shops at all times of day, but this was not pursued as it would remove one of the aims of the scheme, which is to improve the overall vision for - and attractiveness of - the useable public space in the City centre.

10.4.2

Alternative Option 2:

Surrey Street: TRO not progressed

Another option would be progress the TRO as advertised except for the proposals for Surrey Street, i.e. to leave Surrey Street in its present highway layout but progress everything else. This was not pursued as it would remove one of the aims of the scheme, which is to improve the overall vision for - and attractiveness of - the useable public space in the City centre.