Agenda item

4.1

The Executive Director, Place submitted a report in relation to the North Sheffield Better Buses Project at Spital Hill.

4.2

RESOLVED: That:-

(a)

the schemes as shown in Appendices A and B of the report be implemented, subject to any required re-confirmation of costs after detailed design (including any commuted sums); and

(b)

the respondents be informed accordingly.

4.3

Reasons for Decision

4.3.1

The schemes described in the report will contribute to improving journey times and reliability for bus services along this route.

4.3.2

The schemes are being designed in detail with funding available to allow the schemes to be built in 2015/16 and 2016/17.

4.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

4.4.1

The alternative would be to do nothing which would not address the issues that regularly occur at these locations. The designs are therefore the preferred options.

4.5

Any Interest Declared or Dispensation Granted

None

4.6

Reason for Exemption if Public/Press Excluded During Consideration

None

4.7

Respective Director Responsible for Implementation

Simon Green, Executive Director, Place

4.8

Relevant Scrutiny and Policy Development Committee If Decision Called In

Economic and Environmental Wellbeing

6.1

The Executive Director, Place submitted a report in relation to the North Sheffield Better Buses Project at Spital Hill.

6.2

Matt Turner made representations to the Cabinet Member on behalf of Cycle Sheffield. He commented that it was a very busy road with a complex junction and the proposals would discourage cyclists from using the road. It was unreasonable to expect people to share lanes with cyclists. Advanced stop lines reduced capacity for traffic and caused conflict. There was a need for a separate space for cycling as the road was too busy for people to realistically share the road.

6.3

Simon Botterill acknowledged that the proposals were not the ideal solution he would wish for cyclists. However, everything could not be started at the same time. Mr Turner’s proposals, as highlighted in a video shown to the Session, would cause additional traffic congestion and therefore the scheme would not be implemented as it was funded by bus operators. He was confident that the proposals did not provide a worse situation for cyclists than was currently in operation, whilst having significant benefits for bus operators. It was a low cost change which could be added to or reversed in the future if necessary.

6.4

Councillor Terry Fox, Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport, commented that he welcomed the scheme. He was aware that bus operators were not taking the needs of cyclists into account and would raise this when meeting with the bus companies on 18 November. Issues of process such as the requirement to take schemes through the Cycling Sub Committee would be followed up.

6.5

RESOLVED: That:-

(a)

the highway schemes on Spital Hill,  as shown in Appendices A and B of the report, be implemented, subject to any required re-confirmation of costs after detailed design (including any commuted sums); and

(b)

the respondents be informed accordingly.

6.6

Reasons for Decision

6.6.1

The schemes described in the report will contribute to improving journey times and reliability for bus services along this route.

6.6.2

The schemes are being designed in detail with funding available to allow the schemes to be built in 2015/16 and 2016/17.

6.7

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

6.7.1

The alternative would be to do nothing which would not address the issues that regularly occur at these locations. The designs are therefore the preferred options.