Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Simon Bosher.

There were no declarations of interest.

Purpose of Report

To consider the public response to the proposed disabled bays in Karen Avenue and Landguard Road, Portsmouth.

RECOMMENDED

In relation to the proposal promoted under TRO 158B/2023, it is recommended that the Cabinet Member for Transport:

1.    Approves the implementation of the Disabled Persons' Parking Bays in

a)    Karen Avenue (outside No 27) and

b)   Landguard Road (opposite Nos 180 - 182)

2.    Notes that the remainder of TRO 158/2023 came into operation under TRO 158A/2023 on 10 July 2023, due to no objections being received to those proposals.  Therefore, any proposal approved following this report will be brought into operation under TRO 158B/2023.

Denise Bastow, Parking Office Manager, presented her report, the purpose of which was to consider the public response to the proposed disabled bays in Karen Avenue and Landguard Road, Portsmouth.

Members' questions

In response to Members' questions regarding Karen Avenue, officers clarified that the applicant already parks their vehicle in the cul-de-sac so there would be no loss of parking space as a result of putting in the disabled bay.

Members' comments

All members agreed with the recommendations.

Decision

In relation to the proposal promoted under TRO 158B/2023, the Cabinet Member for Transport:

1.      Approved the implementation of the Disabled Persons' Parking Bays in

a)    Karen Avenue (outside No 27) and

b)   Landguard Road (opposite Nos 180 - 182)

2.      Noted that the remainder of TRO 158/2023 came into operation under TRO 158A/2023 on 10 July 2023, due to no objections being received to those proposals.  Therefore, any proposal approved following this report will be brought into operation under TRO 158B/2023.

Purpose of Report

To consider representations received during the consultation for the proposed Waiting Restrictions and Bus Lane on Lake Road, Portsmouth.

RECOMMENDED

That the Cabinet Member for Transport approves the Lake Road scheme and the implementation of the TRO 39/2023 for the introduction of Waiting Restrictions and Bus Lane on Lake Road, Portsmouth as advertised, following the formal consultation.

The Chair advised concerns had been raised regarding the Lake Road project by the Tree Wardens regarding a number of mature trees in the area.  The opportunity had been taken to visit the site earlier in the day and as a result, the report would be postponed to a special Transport decision meeting on 18 August in order that concerns could be addressed within the report before a decision was taken.

Decision

The Cabinet Member for Transport deferred this item to a Special Decision Meeting on 18 August 2023.

Purpose of Report

The purpose of this report is to provide the first Annual Monitoring Report for the Portsmouth Transport Strategy, (Local Transport Plan 4 (LTP4)).

Kirsty Routledge, Principal Transport Planner, presented her report, the purpose of which was to provide the first Annual Monitoring Report for the Portsmouth Transport Strategy (Local Transport Plan 4 (LTP4)).

Members questions

In response to Members' questions, officers clarified:

·         The target in the report related to the financial year 22/23.

·         The report was a snapshot report highlighting some key projects and did not include everything that had happened during the year.   Future reports would include more information.

·         Work on the hedges on the Eastern Road could only be carried out outside of nesting season, the timing of which varies for different species of bird.  Work is being carried out to consider various options to incorporate essential safe and effective cycle and pedestrian routes whilst maintaining, as much as possible, the natural environment.

·         A report detailing progress and updates on 'School Streets' will be presented at the Transport decision meeting in September 2023.

Decision

The Cabinet Member for Transport noted the report which was for information only.

Purpose of Report

Following the launch of a bike share rental scheme in October 2022, funded through the Solent Future Transport Zone (FTZ), this report provides an update on the scheme's progress and sets out the strategy for future expansion plans.

RECOMMENDED

That the Cabinet Member for Transport:

1.     Notes the progress of the bike share rental scheme, Beryl Bikes by Breeze, since its launch in October 2022;

2.     Approves the Portsmouth bike share expansion strategy as set out in Appendix A;

3.     Notes an update report on the Solent Future Transport Zone programme will be brought in to the Cabinet Member for Transport in early 2024.

Gareth James, Solent Future Transport Zone Project Manager, presented the report.  Following the launch of a bike share rental scheme in October 2022, funded through the Solent Future Transport Zone (FTZ), the report provided an update on the scheme's progress and set out the strategy for the future expansion plans.

He noted a 'typo' on Appendix A - Bike Share Expansion Strategy, at page 3, bullet point 6.   The report should have stated '… reduce barriers to bike share use …'

Deputations

Ian Saunders, Portsmouth Cycle Forum made a deputation in favour of the report.

Deputations are not minuted but can be viewed here:

Cabinet Member for Transport, 10 August 2023 on Livestream

Members' questions

In response to Members' questions, officers clarified:

·         The receipt of data from the bike share scheme and the Voi scooter scheme is paramount to wider transport planning and infrastructure priorities.

Members' comments

Members noted the project is working reasonably well and the decision to have places where you have to return the bikes was the right one.

Members requested data on where cyclists go with the bikes in the next report and a further update on the usage once the summer months are over.

Decision

The Cabinet Member for Transport:

1.    Noted the progress of the bike share rental scheme, Beryl Bikes by Breeze, since its launch in October 2022;

2.    Approved the Portsmouth Bike Share expansion strategy as set out in Appendix A;

3.    Noted that an update report on the Solent Future Transport Zone programme will be brought in to the Cabinet Member for Transport in early 2023.

Purpose of Report

To consider representations received during the consultation for the proposed Stamshaw North Permit Parking Scheme (FJ Zone).

RECOMMENDED

That the Cabinet Member for Transportation approves the proposed FJ Permit Parking Scheme (TRO116/2023), and the Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) is implemented as advertised.

Barbara Thomas, Principal Transport Planner, presented the report, the purpose of which was to consider representations received during the consultation for the proposed Stamshaw North Permit Parking Scheme (FJ Zone).

Deputations

Barbara Thomas read written deputations from Kelvin Neale and Sam Milsom, both in opposition to the scheme.

Richard Gould made a deputation in opposition,

Albert Dudley made a deputation in opposition.

Councillor Lee Hunt made a deputation in favour.

Deputations are not minuted but can be viewed here:

Cabinet Member for Transport, 10 August 2023 on Livestream

Members' questions

In response to Members' questions, officers clarified:

·         FH zone was implemented at the end of 2018, FG zone in May 2012 and FD zone in 2007.  The FJ zone was consulted on and residents were in favour, but at the time, there was an insufficient number of responses to implement the scheme.

·         The scheme will be a 24-hour scheme with a 2 hour limit for visitors. 

·         If more permits are applied for than there are spaces, households will be limited to 2 permits.  However, if there are fewer permits than spaces more permits can be provided if the space allows.

·         HMOs in Resident Parking Zones are one address and so will have the same maximum number of permits as all other households.

·         A parking place has been provided in Osier Close with an allowance of 4 hours due to the nearby allotments.  There is some parking within the allotments away from residential properties.

Members' comments

Members expressed some concern about residents parking, that it is not always done clearly and comprehensively enough, often resulting in overspill into areas without resident parking schemes.

Members noted that decisions have to be made, sometimes unpopular decisions, that were beneficial to the future of Portsmouth as a whole, considering the increase in the number of cars in the City.

The Chair noted the results of the consultation was split with the residents in the south of the area being in favour and the north of the area not in favour.  The Chair observed that if the scheme was only approved in the south of the area, it was clear from the experience in other parts of the city, this would result in displacement parking in the north of the area.  Therefore his decision was that it would be best to agree the scheme as a whole with a thorough review of all residents 6 months into the scheme and a report to be bought back to the Cabinet Member for consideration at that time.

Decision

The Cabinet Member for Transport approved the proposed FJ Permit Parking Scheme (TRO 116/2023), and the Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) is implemented as advertised.  A survey of residents to be carried out 6 months after the scheme is introduced with a report coming back to the Cabinet Member for Transport thereafter.

Purpose of Report

The purpose of this report is to make recommendations on the Bike Hangars Phase 2 and Corral project under Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO) 67/2022 and ETRO 37/21 part B.

RECOMMENDED

That the Cabinet Member for Transport:

1.    Approves to make permanent the provisions of ETRO 67/2022 (second phase of Bike Hangars and corrals in various roads), with the exception of the bike hangar in Landguard Road;

2.    Approves the making permanent of the provisions of ETRO 37/2021 Part B (relocated bike hangar in Lucknow Road).

Michelle Love, Safer Travel Manager, presented the report, the purpose of which was to make recommendations on the Bike Hangars Phase 2 and Corral project under Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO) 67/2022 and ETRO 37/21 part B.

Deputations

Ian Saunders, Portsmouth Cycle Forum made a deputation in favour.

Deputations are not minuted but can be viewed here:

Cabinet Member for Transport, 10 August 2023 on Livestream

Members' questions

In response to members' questions, officers clarified:

·         The positioning of access to the bike corrals and bike hangars would be considered taking into consideration the footway width for people to be able to manoevure bikes in and out with pedestrians moving past at the same time.  A road safety audit can be completed.

·         All of the current bike hangars are full and there is a waiting list.  The provision of bike hangars for other types of cycles is being considered.

·         The bike hangar on Methuen Road will remain on the road with discussions ongoing with the landowners of the layby.

·         There had been nearly 300 additional requests for bike hangars in the space of one year.

·         The majority of requests come from the south of the city but an increasing number are coming from off the island.

·         Funding for the third tranche of bike hangars will come from the LTP budget approved in February 2023.  Previous tranches were from the Capabilty Fund and the Capital Budget 21/22.

Members' comments

All members were in support of the report.

Decision

The Cabinet Member for Transport:

1.    Approved to make permanent the provisions of ETRO 67/2022 (second phase of Bike Hangars and Corrals in various roads), with the exception of the bike hangar in Landguard Road;

2.    Approved the making permanent of the provisions of ETRO 37/2021 Part B (relocated bike hangar in Lucknow Road)

Purpose of Report

To provide an update on the application for moving traffic enforcement powers under the Traffic Management Act.

Implementation of these powers will additionally assist the Council with its ongoing commitment to improve air quality through reduced traffic congestion and encourage behavioural shift around travel choices by keeping junctions clear and assisting bus reliability.

To seek approval for the delegation of the powers to the Director of Regeneration, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Transport to submit the application for moving traffic enforcement powers.

RECOMMENDED

That the Cabinet Member for Transport:

1.    Provides delegated authority to the Director of Regeneration, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Transport, to authorise the submission to the Department for Transport for powers to undertake local enforcement of moving traffic contraventions in the City of Portsmouth.  This includes all required activities to achieve this;

2.    Notes that a report will be brought back to the Cabinet Member for Transport after the confirmation of the delegation of enforcement powers from the Department for Transport to request their use within Portsmouth.

Matt Crowder, presented the report, the purpose of which was to provide an update on the application for moving traffic enforcement powers under the Traffic Management Act.  Implementation of these powers would additionally assist the Council with its ongoing commitment to improve air quality through reduced traffic congestion and encourage behavioural shift around travel choices by keeping junctions clear and assisting bus reliability.

The report also sought approval for the delegation of the powers to the Director of Regeneration, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Transport to submit the application for moving traffic enforcement powers.

Members' questions

In response to Members' questions, officers clarified:

·         The power to enforce red light violations would not be included.  This remains within the scope of the Police enforcement powers.  There were currently no red-light enforcement cameras with Portsmouth or Hampshire.  However, there was a review being undertaken and Portsmouth had been asked to contribute to that review to identify locations of concern.

·         The point of the consultation was so people have the opportunity to say if they feel that signage isn’t right, or the layout of a particular junction leads to traffic violations. This includes banned right turns and traffic movements that can cause accidents both to pedestrians and cyclists.  Part of the selection process is looking at those junctions that have the highest rate of accidents. 

Members' comments

The Chair requested that the recommendation be changed to include consultation with the Cabinet Member and opposition spokespeople to ensure cross party engagement.

Decision

The Cabinet Member for Transport:

1.    Delegated authority to the Director of Regeneration, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Transport, to authorise the submission to the Department for Transport for powers to undertake local enforcement of moving traffic contraventions in the City of Portsmouth. This includes all required activities to achieve this;

2.    Noted that a report would be brought back to the Cabinet Member for Transport after the confirmation of the delegation of enforcement powers from the Department for Transport to request their use within Portsmouth.