Agenda item

9.1

The Head of Transport and Highways submitted a report containing a summary of the progress made in terms of advancing both small and large highway schemes requested by the Community Assembly.

9.2

RESOLVED: That the Community Assembly notes:-

(a)

the current budgetary position regarding funding availability for small and large highway schemes;

(b)

details of proposals to amend the hours of operation of the Duke Street bus gate;

(c)

the progress being made with the scheme on East Bank Road, specifically the entry of the scheme into the Amey design and build programme;

(d)

the need for Ward nominations for small scheme improvements to a total cost of £5,000 per Ward;

(e)

as part of the Streets Ahead Contract, the Manor Estate, Base Green and Wybourn zones were programmed to be improved in 2013; and

(f)

that a contribution of £6500 from the Assembly’s Discretionary Budget 2012/13 will be made towards the overall cost of the Woodthorpe 20 mph speed limit zone, with the remaining amount being funded mainly from central budgets.

9.3

Reasons for Decision

9.3.1

The East Community Assembly supports and funds highway schemes at the locations of the highest number of child accidents.  The Community Assembly and Transport and Highways Teams, in discussion with Ward Members, had analysed the requests from local residents and undertaken some preliminary feasibility work on a provisional list of potential projects.  That work had enabled the identification of a list of schemes, which could be implemented in 2013.

9.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

9.4.1

The programme of local highway schemes could be updated and added to as the year progressed, reflecting new priorities identified by local people.  The full list of requests for local highway schemes in the East Community Assembly area could be found in a new register, now available on the Council’s website.  This register would act as the central source of all requests for projects which would be assessed by Transport and Highways staff for feasibility and then provided the basis for selecting future schemes in partnership with the local community, and reflecting the Assembly’s Community Plan.

9.4.2

Consultation with local residents on individual schemes would continue to be an important way of looking at specific problems within approved schemes.  Each of the schemes now submitted for approval would be the subject of a separate detailed public consultation process, as part of the normal design process, to ensure local people were comfortable with the proposals and to address anything else that arose.

9.5

Any Interest Declared or Dispensation Granted

None declared.

9.6

Reason for Exemption if Public/Press Excluded During Consideration

Not applicable.

9.7

Respective Director Responsible for Implementation

Simon Green, Executive Director, Place Portfolio

9.8

Relevant Scrutiny and Policy Development Committee If Decision Called In

The relevant Scrutiny and Policy Development Committee to consider a call-in of the decision would be, in this instance, the Economic and Environmental Wellbeing Scrutiny and Policy Development Committee.