Agenda item

CONSIDERATION OF PETITION - WALTON ROAD ACTIVE NEIGHBOURHOOD

To consider the following petition received by the Council: “We the undersigned petition the council to stop ALL the proposed road closures (Modal filters) in the Walton Road area shown in the Sustrans Walton Road Active Neighbourhood Plan. The proposed road closures will result in an increase in traffic problems and compromise safety in the area and on surrounding roads.”

Minutes:

The petition organiser was in attendance to set out for Members’ information more detail of the rationale and residents’ views which lay behind the petition, whose text was as follows: “We the undersigned petition the council to stop ALL the proposed road closures (Modal filters) in the Walton Road area shown in the Sustrans Walton Road Active Neighbourhood Plan. The proposed road closures will result in an increase in traffic problems and compromise safety in the area and on surrounding roads. The Leader of the Council noted that correspondence had been received setting out a contrary viewpoint, and that a range of views had been expressed in a large response to the consultation already undertaken.

 

The Executive Member for Climate Change and Transport Strategy was invited to respond to the petition, and did so in the following terms: “Firstly, please allow me to express my thanks to Mr Marsh for his role with this petition and for taking time to attend Executive Committee this evening to introduce the item before members. It is very much appreciated, and I welcome the recent increase in dialogue between residents and councillors which we have seen through the increased use of mechanisms such as petitions at our meetings.

 

I note that the petition expressly requests that all proposed road closures on the estate be halted, and think that it might be worthwhile to explain that at present no decisions have been made regarding the implementation of modal filters or the precise nature of plans to change traffic use.

 

A consultation exercise was undertaken earlier this year, and residents were posted a document pack presenting proposals to reduce traffic flow of motorists cutting through the estate. The intention had been to make streets on the estate safer to use for local residents, and to streamline traffic flow in a more effective manner.

 

During this consultation exercise the survey circulated to local residents in the document pack yielded 906 responses, and further comments were also collated at an in-person feedback event. I would like to thank all of those that have participated in this process. I consider that the best policy decisions are made when people with local knowledge contribute to the decision-making process.

 

The project team has analysed this feedback and developed a number of potential alternative solutions that respond to this feedback, whilst still achieving the aims of the project such as reducing traffic volumes and speeds, which are being discussed with officers and the local ward councillors. It is clear from the consultation exercise that has been completed that there is not a sufficient level of popular support for the original plans to be implemented. In particular many residents expressed concerns about the original plans to restrict traffic leaving the estate turning right onto the A56 (such as at the junction with Langdale Road), as we have heard from Mr Marsh this evening.

 

As such, the Council has requested that a further set of plans be drawn-up, which are informed by the feedback that was received during the first round of consultation. Next steps are likely to include further engagement and consultation on a revised proposal. This further engagement and consultation could then be followed by a trial phase, where measures are implemented on a temporary basis and monitored, to allow further consultation with the community around any proposed changes before they are made permanent.

 

Lastly, I would like to confirm that I, along with Cllrs Jones and Thompson, met with ARUP [Note: consultancy firm, working with TFGM and the Council on the proposed scheme] at the end of June following the closure of the first round of consultation. Having held this meeting, I am confident that the feeling of the community has been understood. I’d like to thank Cllrs Jones and Thompson, as well as Cllr Boyes, for the hard work they have done in engaging with and representing residents. I know that they will be meaningfully involved with any work soon to be undertaken as it progresses through the next stages, and for my part I’d like to extend the offer to also be involved in that process.”

 

An opportunity was provided for Members to comment. In discussion the diversity of views was noted, along with the importance of engagement with key stakeholders. In conclusion the Leader of the Council noted that no firm decision had yet been taken, and that further consultation would be undertaken; and thanked all participants for their contribution to the discussion.

 

RESOLVED – That the content of the petition, the presentation by its organiser, and the response by the Executive Member, be noted.