Issue - meetings

Forward Plan Ref: 2023/018

Contact: Lee Turner, Principal Engineer, Traffic and Road Safety.

Report by Corporate Director Environment & Place (CMDHM 6).

To consider proposed amendments to parking places and the permanent prohibition of vehicles.

The Cabinet Member for Highway Management AGREED to approve the permanent prohibition of vehicles and removal of parking places from the western end of the Market Place, continuing to utilise temporary planters and barriers, pending technical approval by the County Council of Wantage Town Council’s consultant’s permanent scheme design and subsequent construction works.

The report presented responses received to a consultation on an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order which came into effect on 3 January 2022. This Order continued on an experimental basis the provisions of Covid related Temporary Traffic Regulation Order which suspended waiting and parking places at the Western end of Market Place, the southern end of Alfred Street, and the northern end of Church Street in Wantage. The Order also prohibited the use of these parts of the above roads by all vehicles.

The aim of the Wantage Town Council promoted scheme was to provide outdoor seating and facilitate environmental improvement for the benefit of pedestrians, including customers of adjacent businesses. The temporary closure was implemented with planters and barriers.

The Chair invited speakers to address the meeting and responded to the points made.

Bill Falkenau, Clerk of Wantage Town Council delivered his written statement, which was subsequently endorsed by Cllr Jenny Hannaby.

It was noted that 43 objections and 44 concerns were received from members of the public, broadly relating to seven main issues which are highlighted in the report. The Chair stated the importance of officers taking objections into consideration but did agree with their responses to the concerns raised.

Officers assured the meeting that they had worked hard to develop robust proposals for Wantage.

The Chair thanked all consultation respondents.

The Cabinet Member for Highway Management APPROVED the permanent prohibition of vehicles and removal of parking places from the western end of the Market Place, continuing to utilise temporary planters and barriers, pending technical approval by the County Council of Wantage Town Council’s consultant’s permanent scheme design and subsequent construction works.