Agenda item

12.1

The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director-City Futures setting out an analysis of the effect of the implementation of an Experimental Traffic Order (ETO) in Nether Edge, including the results of formal consultation, along with feedback received pre and post formal consultation.

The consultation sought the views of residents, visitors to the area, businesses, local groups, institutions, and statutory groups to inform a decision on whether or not the Council wished to progress towards making the changes permanent or not

12.2

RESOLVED: That the Transport, Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee:

1)    Note the assessment of the impacts of the Experimental Traffic Order (ETO) layout;

2)    Consider the results of the formal consultation, and feedback received post formal consultation;

3)    The ETO is not made permanent and the Archer Lane road closure is removed

4)    A permanent Traffic Regulation Order is promoted for the double yellow lines associated with the Osborne Road and Psalter Lane pedestrian crossings which should be retained on a permanent basis

5)    Authorise officers to carry out further design work and engagement to identify appropriate permanent options and report back to a future meeting; and

6)    Note that the Council’s Traffic Regulations team will inform all consultation respondents accordingly;

7)    Authorise officers to progress the formal revocation of those elements of the ETO which were not implemented

12.3

Reasons for Decision

12.3.1

During the pre-experiment phase of the Nether Edge Active Neighbourhood consultation respondents said that they would like to see a reduction in traffic, improved crossings, and safer areas for children to play.

12.3.2

The perception surveys have consistently shown that most people perceive that the project has had more negative than positive impacts and the majority are opposed to it. For example, 69% of self[1]selecting resident respondents said that the project had negatively impacted congestion, 60% said the same for through-traffic and 74% said journey times had been negatively impacted by the project. 52% said that traffic speed had also been negatively impacted and less than a third said they would support the project.

12.3.3

The survey undertaken using a sample (thus moving away from self - selection) is more positive, especially from residents. For example, two in five residents (38%) suggest that the area now feels like a safer environment for walking and almost a half (47%) said they would support the project.

12.3.4

Members considered the results of the perception surveys in making a decision to not make the closure of Archer Lane permanent. The committee noted that there were a significant majority of people welcoming the introduction of the crossings and therefore the double yellow lines supporting the crossings along with the crossings themselves will be made permanent.

12.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

Option A - End the Experiment

12.4.1

Ending the ETO without making a permanent Order would not include the retention of the double yellow lines that support the pedestrian crossings provided during the trial and that will be made permanent.

12.1.1

The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director-City Futures setting out an analysis of the effect of the implementation of an Experimental Traffic Order (ETO) in Nether Edge, including the results of formal consultation, along with feedback received pre and post formal consultation.

12.1.2

The consultation sought the views of residents, visitors to the area, businesses, local groups, institutions, and statutory groups to inform a decision on whether or not the Council wished to progress towards making the changes permanent or not.

12.1.3

During the discussion of the above item the Committee agreed, in accordance with Council Procedure Rules, that as the meeting was approaching the two hours and 30 minutes time limit, the meeting should be extended by a period of 30 minutes.

12.1.4

It was moved by Cllr Sangar and seconded by Cllr Barker, as an amendment, that the recommendations submitted be amended by replacing recommendation three with the wording “The ETO is not made permanent and the Archer Lane road closure is removed”, the addition of recommendation four “A permanent Traffic Regulation Order is promoted for the double yellow lines associated with the Osborne Road and Psalter Lane pedestrian crossings which should be retained on a permanent basis.” The numbering of the subsequent recommendations was amended accordingly.

The amendment was put to the vote and carried.

(NOTE: The result of the vote was FOR – 6 Members; AGAINST – 2 Members;

ABSTENTIONS – 1 Member.)

12.1.5

It was emphasised that the effects of reversing the road closure would need to be monitored closely.

12.2.1

RESOLVED: That the Transport, Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee:

1)    Note the assessment of the impacts of the Experimental Traffic Order (ETO) layout;

2)    Consider the results of the formal consultation, and feedback received post formal consultation;

3)    The ETO is not made permanent and the Archer Lane road closure is removed

4)    A permanent Traffic Regulation Order is promoted for the double yellow lines associated with the Osborne Road and Psalter Lane pedestrian crossings which should be retained on a permanent basis

5)    Authorise officers to carry out further design work and engagement to identify appropriate permanent options and report back to a future meeting; and

6)    Note that the Council’s Traffic Regulations team will inform all consultation respondents accordingly;

7)    Authorise officers to progress the formal revocation of those elements of the ETO which were not implemented

12.2.2

The votes on the amended recommendation were ordered to be recorded and were as follows: -

For the recommendations (6) -

Councillors Ian Auckland, David Barker, Craig Gamble-Pugh, Ben Miskell, Safiya Saeed and Andrew Sangar

Against the recommendations (2) -

Councillors Christine Gilligan-Kubo and Ruth Mersereau

Abstained from voting –

on the recommendations (1)

Councillor Richard Shaw

12.3

Reasons for Decision

12.3.1

During the pre-experiment phase of the Nether Edge Active Neighbourhood consultation respondents said that they would like to see a reduction in traffic, improved crossings, and safer areas for children to play.

12.3.2

The perception surveys have consistently shown that most people perceive that the project has had more negative than positive impacts and the majority are opposed to it. For example, 69% of self[1]selecting resident respondents said that the project had negatively impacted congestion, 60% said the same for through-traffic and 74% said journey times had been negatively impacted by the project. 52% said that traffic speed had also been negatively impacted and less than a third said they would support the project.

12.3.3

The survey undertaken using a sample (thus moving away from self - selection) is more positive, especially from residents. For example, two in five residents (38%) suggest that the area now feels like a safer environment for walking and almost a half (47%) said they would support the project.

12.3.4

Members considered the results of the perception surveys in making a decision to not make the closure of Archer Lane permanent. The committee noted that there were a significant majority of people welcoming the introduction of the crossings and therefore the double yellow lines supporting the crossings along with the crossings themselves will be made permanent.

12.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

Option A - End the Experiment

12.4.1

Ending the ETO without making a permanent Order would not include the retention of the double yellow lines that support the pedestrian crossings provided during the trial and that will be made permanent.