Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence other than Councillor Fazackarley for the reasons already expressed.

There were no declarations of interest.

Purpose

To consider the responses to the formal public consultation on proposals contained within this Traffic Regulation Order; a statutory requirement whenever comments are received regarding advertised proposals.

Recommendations

1)         That the proposals within this order are approved as formally advertised.

2)         That residents of Western Terrace (pedestrian access only from end of Newcomen Road) are entitled to apply for permits.

A report by the Head of Transport and Environment is attached.

(TAKE IN REPORT BY THE HEAD OF TRANSPORT & ENVIRONMENT)

Nikki Musson, Operational Transport Planner, introduced the report and explained the reasons for the recommendations.  She said that there had in fact been 10 objections to the proposal and 15 residents in favour of the proposal and this represented a slight change to the figures quoted at paragraph 4.2 of the report.

A deputation was heard from Nelson ward Councillor Leo Madden who included the following points in his representations:

There was no such thing as a perfect Residents Parking scheme. These schemes always have an impact somewhere else. The ward councillors surveyed residents after the topic had been raised at neighbourhood forum meetings. Residents main concerns are works vans. Winstanley Road residents originally rejected residents only parking. Have always said that the majority voice will be considered. Once a scheme is bedded in, they like it and live with it. Western Terrace is in isolation really but seems fair to include them if they want it. People have objected and not all are in favour. We have got a displacement from Residents Parking in Stamshaw &Tipner but also now works vans. All schemes I've been involved in have come from residents. Won't solve all the problems because they never do however would ask you to support the recommendations.

Councillor Ellcome said that he did not feel strongly either for or against the proposal. He said that it was a democratic decision as to what residents want.  However he expressed concern about the process and asked when did the officers carry out informal consultation and how many houses are in the proposed scheme area. In response to questions he was advised that there were 261 houses.Councillor Ellcome said that the number of responses on which a decision was to be based seemed to be very small.

Nikki Musson said that the survey had been carried out by ward councillors and explained that there had been no formal consultation other than the public consultation on the proposed traffic regulation order.

Councillor Ken Ellcome said that the numbers seemed to be very low - only 25 responses were received with a majority of only five.

Councillor Sanders explained that he had not seen the original informal consultation by ward councillors but that he was supportive of active ward councillors

Nikki Musson said that the occupiers of Western Terrace are entitled to permits but there is no guarantee of a space and that this was the case for everyone. 

DECISION: Councillor Sanders agreed

1)    that the proposals within this order are approved as formally advertised, and

2)    that residents of Western Terrace (pedestrian access only from end of Newcomen Road) are entitled to apply for permits.