Issue - meetings

The report by the Director of Regeneration is to consider the public responses to proposed electric vehicle parking bays in 41 locations across 33 roads.  Objections were received to proposals within TRO 120/2018, and therefore a report to the Cabinet Member is required, for decision at a public meeting.

RECOMMENDED that TRO 120/2018 is taken forward with the following exceptions:

a)    Outside 50 Laburnum Grove should not proceed

b)   Outside 30 Priory Crescent should not proceed

c)    Outside 80 St Ronans Road should not proceed

that TRO 120/2018 be taken forward with the following exceptions:

a)            Outside 50 Laburnum Grove should not proceed

b)            Outside 30 Priory Crescent should not proceed

c)            Outside 80 St Ronan's Road should not proceed

d)            Sites in Shadwell Road should not proceed (for further investigations to take place)

e)            Site outside 12 Clarence Parade should not proceed (for further investigations to take place)

Pam Turton, Assistant Director Transport, wished to add to the report an extra legal comment that had been provided which requested that the PFI team should be consulted regarding the parking bays within their contract. She outlined the timetable for spending the government funding (which covered 75% of the costs) by 31 March 2019 for Phase 1. If any new locations were to be considered these would need to go through due process for implementation in Phase 2 (should funding be identified).

The report set out the 42 objections and 3 representations in support, and whilst some residents from Shadwell Road has said that letters had not been received, there had been representation from the road where a hand-delivery had taken place.

Deputations were heard from the following members of the public:

i)             Mrs Dann - objecting to the loss of spaces in Oriel Road for chargers that may not be used

ii)            Mr Garrard - objecting to a site in Kensington Road which he felt more appropriate for Heathcote Road

iii)           Mr Martin - speaking in favour of the roll out of the electric vehicle charging points in the city for the environmental benefits

iv)           Mr Timoney - objected to the proposed siting outside 12 Clarence Parade, favouring moving this to the Common side of the road, to be more sensitive to the Conservation Area.

Councillor Stagg also read out of the later written deputations from a resident of Laburnum Grove (objecting) and from Councillor Hugh Mason raising concerns including the siting of the point for the north east side of Clarence Parade, also requesting it go on the Common side and raising concerns regarding safety for partially sighted residents if cables caused trip hazards.

Councillor Stagg responded to a point raised in the written deputation confirming that commercial vehicles, if taxed, could park on the highway. 

Councillor Chowdhury asked if there was time to re-consult and also favoured moving the Clarence Parade charging point to the south side.  It was reported that any changes to the proposed sitings would need to be republished through a Traffic Regulation Order (including 21 days' consultation) after further site investigations including electrical surveys had been undertaken to ensure the site was suitable and it was unlikely that installation prior to 31 March 2019 was achievable.

Councillor Bosher thanked Hayley Chivers and the officers involved in bringing forward the programme for electric vehicle charging, which he had previously been involved in when Cabinet Member.  He felt that there was contention in Shadwell Road, Oriel Road and Clarence Parade, so suggested these be taken out and looked at further for Phase 2 if this did not jeopardize funding. It was clarified that the council would only claim for funding on what had been spent.  As these came under Traffic Regulation Orders there could be variation for the Cabinet Member to decide which go forward at this stage.  Pam Turton undertook to look further into the concerns raised by residents regarding missing letters in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4