Agenda, decisions and minutes

Forward Plan Ref: 2019/185

Contact: Hugh Potter, Group Manager – Area Operations Hub Tel: 07766 998704

Report by Director for Community Operations (Interim) (CMDE4).

The Cabinet Member for the Environment is RECOMMENDED to end the experimental order and return the road layout and signage to its original configuration as designed prior to the Walton Street closure.

In July 2020 the Cabinet Member for Environment deferred a decision on the continuation of the experimental closure pending further analysis and assessment of its impact.

However, since that decision it had been decided to reconsider the situation in the light of a number of developments namely:

·           Further traffic surveying undertaken in Walton Manor area which had found that local mitigation measures implemented to try and ease congestion for certain streets including St Bernard’s Rd during the trial had continued to be unsuccessful   The county council had confirmed Tranche 1 Covid 19 Active travel measures which included a proposal to install a temporary bus gate within the Worcester Street/Beaumont Street area, which would have the effect of restricting through traffic through the Walton Manor/Jericho area.

·           The county council was considering detailed consultation into the development of a wider Low Traffic Neighbourhood concept (LTN) through application to the Tranche 2 Covid 19 Active Travel funding.  These were for measures across the city but could include the Jericho and Walton Manor area. 

·           The need to aid local businesses in recovery after a four-month (COVID-19) period of economic uncertainty.

The report set out options and timeline for both cancellation of the order and progression of development and consultation for a potential LTN concept for the Jericho/Walton Manor area in conjunction with local residents and business groups.

Jamie Hartzell a resident of Walton Manor spoke on behalf of the Jericho Low Traffic Neighbourhood group which represented a large number of residents and businesses in the area who were firmly opposed to opening the barrier at this time. They regarded this as a hasty and poorly thought-through recommendation, should be dismissed and we should go back to the decision taken only 3 weeks ago and conduct a full and proper consultation with the community with the aim of reaching a decision before Christmas. Their understanding was that consideration was being given in part to removing the barrier because of the work they had done in developing a low traffic neighbourhood for Jericho and Walton Manor and although we suport the aims of a LTN we have always said that the barrier should remain closed until the low traffic neighbourhood had been fully designed and consulted on, and future plans and levels of investment for the area decided.  For that reason they opposed this recommendation because it would open the floodgates to traffic, without any firm commitment by the Council to developing a low traffic neighbourhood.If there was such a commitment we would expect theCabinet Member to ask if reopening the barrier fitted in with their plans but that had not happened neither had work been carried out to assess if their plans were workable. In fact, our latest meeting had been cancelled.

We understand these things take time which makes us question why the rush to open the barrier now which seemed an impetuous decision.  Also has the Council considered the impact the bus gate will have on opening the barrier? Again it  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18/20