Issue - meetings

Purpose of Report

This report considers the public response to the proposed Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) for bus stop and waiting restrictions on High Street and Broad Street, Portsmouth.

RECOMMENDATION

In relation to the proposals promoted under TRO 43/2021, it is recommended that the Cabinet Member for Traffic and Transportation:

1.    Approves to relocate the existing bus stop clearing on High Street, Old Portsmouth, 5 meters further north-eastwards.

2.    Approves to extend the no waiting at any time restrictions (double yellow lines) on Battery Row by 3.5 meters on both sides.

3.    Approves to update the waiting and parking restrictions in the Order to match those on-street, covering the following lengths of road: Broad Street, Battery Row and High Street, Old Portsmouth.

Michelle Love, Safer Travel Manager introduced the report.

Deputations

Mike Dobson gave a deputation on behalf of Friends of Old Portsmouth Association.

Deputations are not minuted but can be viewed at:

Traffic & Transportation Decision meeting, 8 December on Livestream

Members questions

In response to Members questions, officers clarified:

·         The delay in bringing the item was due to staff shortages within the team and the redistribution of workloads.  A period of time was needed for new officers to become acclimatised to their roles and learn the history and background of the issue.

·         Other crossing points in the area were considered and developed after the production of this report.  A consultation with the residents of Old Portsmouth had recently closed on options for a crossing point at the junction of Peacock Lane and the High Street.  Shipwrights Way is funded from a different funding stream to that of the crossing points.

·         The Shipwrights Way scheme is a cycling and walking historic route and a scenic tourist visitor attraction.  Recommendations for crossing points resulted from the Old Portsmouth Study which came for decision in 2021.  Both schemes have been considered within the whole area schematics.

·         The TRO was a measure to ensure that pedestrians have greater access to the Shipwrights Way route.  None of the work was in relation to speed reduction measures.  It was noted that a significant speeding problem was not found during the last speed survey between 1^st and 7^th May 2021.  

·         The route would be signposted in a complimentary manner in accordance with the rest of the route.

·         Engagement with ward councillors commenced in June 2021 and agreement for the scope of the consultation was decided to be a TRO.  These were advertised publicly and on the PCC website allowing opportunity for all consultees to make their responses.

·         The proposed design was for dropped kerbs with tactile paving.  If the decision was delayed to consider a raised table this may affect timescales and costs and could not be guaranteed to return to the next decision meeting.

There was a discussion about the public view submitted at Appendix B of the report which appeared to be from one resident but was on behalf of the Friends of Old Portsmouth Association, which represents 274 households and approximately 350 adults.  Councillors considered this was misleading to members and members of the public.  Officers advised this was to preserve the deputees anonymity.   Officers agreed to check this was the correct procedure and agreed to amend the report and republish if there was a mistake. 

Subsequent to the meeting it was confirmed that there were no issues in attributing the comments to the Friends of Old Portsmouth Association (FOOPA) and the updated Appendix B to the report is appended as Appendix 1 to these minutes.

Decision

The Cabinet Member for Traffic and Transportation:

1.    Approved to relocate the existing bus stop clearing on High Street, Old Portsmouth, 5 meters further north-eastwards.

2.    Approved to extend the no waiting at any time restrictions  ...  view the full minutes text for item 48