Agenda item

The Director for Planning, Development and Transportation delivers a presentation updating the Commission on the Transforming Cities Fund (TCF) schemes.

Members of the Commission are recommended to note the presentation and pass any comments to the Director for Planning, Development and Transportation.

The Director of Planning, Development and Transportation submitted a presentation to update the Commission on the Transforming Cities Fund (TCF) updates. Members of the Commission were recommended to note the presentation and make any comments to the Director of Planning, Development and Transportation of they so wished.

Steve Richards, Senior Project Manager, delivered the presentation, and provided an update on the Braunstone Gate and Parker Drive / Beaumont Leys Lane schemes:

·         For Braunstone Gate, it was a progression of the Covid Scheme introduced in 2020. The idea was to improve the footways to make it a more attractive environment and safer route, particularly for cyclists, by reducing through traffic movement.

·         There had been some challenges with bus companies and officers were working to find a solution that would allow the proposal to be taken further forward.

·         Next steps would include consultation with businesses in January / February 2022. A meeting had previously been held with some businesses earlier and feedback received would be reviewed and considered.

·         It was proposed to start on site in May, with City Highways constructing the scheme.

·         Artist impressions were provided to give Members an idea of the scheme being aimed for. There was also potential for a possible scheme being introduced for the evening which would close the central part of the street to vehicle movements to allow the food and beverage businesses to expand out into the street and create an environment where people felt safe and wanted to spend time in.

·         Access to Braunstone Gate from the leisure centre would be restricted to bus only to encourage walking and cycling links from the West End to the city centre. The plan showed the scheme in more detail.

·         For the Parker Drive / Beaumont Leys Lane scheme, the intention was to improved pedestrian cycling along Blackbird Road.

·         There were various constraints on different parts of the project, as there were lots of mature trees on the two corridors which were being kept, and a shared facility was being provided.

·         The section on Parker Driver had a very wide footway which would provide a segregated facility, and the junction with Somerset Avenue would be improved to reduce the crossing distances for pedestrians and cyclists.

·         Construction would take place between April to December 2022 by City Highways. The budget estimate was just under £1million and would provide a link to a number of TCF schemes, namely the A50, Anstey Lane South, Buckminster Road, the A6 and Beaumont Walk.

·         The report contained a number of photos and images of plans to highlight the proposed improvements. Ward Councillors had also been provided with information for their review and comment on the scheme.

·         Consultation with external stakeholders and Ward Councillors would start towards the end of January and February 2022, with the intention of being on site Spring 2022.

Members were then given the opportunity to ask questions and information was provided as follows:

·         It was queried how residents would access Bede Street, what vehicles would be allowed on Braunstone Gate during the day if it was buses only in one direction, bollards were shown with vehicles up to them, and what would happen to the two taxi stands on Braunstone Gate. It was acknowledged there would be challenges to possible pedestrianisation of part of Braunstone Gate on Friday and Saturday evenings, and it was recognised that access to Bede Street would need to be maintained at all times. Clarity around Bede Street would be provided in the future before any work was done.

·         The report had shown traditional signing, and officers would explore the opportunity to use electronic signs to change the message when the road was closed to through traffic.

·         When previously engaging with businesses in the area, one taxi company was in favour of the scheme as they saw it as an opportunity to generate more patronage for their business by have greater numbers of people in the area.

·         It was further explained that buses and cyclists only would be allowed onto Braunstone Gate from Duns Lane, but in the other direction from Narborough Road there would be no restriction of travel. It was further noted the left turn from Western Boulevard would be closed to create a lower trafficked street and encourage better walking and cycling without introducing a formal cycle lane. Vehicles exiting Bede Street would be able to turn left or right onto Braunstone Gate. The only section that would be for buses only would be the entry point at the leisure centre end to Braunstone Gate.

·         Councillors queried how residents on Bede Street would access their property if the bollards were in use on Braunstone Gate. It was explained the message on the signage would be looked at, for example, access for residents only on Friday and Saturday evenings. It was noted that phase one of the scheme would not include those bollards which could be introduced retrospectively.

·         Members asked for clarity on the Parker Drive scheme up to Heacham Drive from Halifax Drive. It was responded there was a temporary cycle lane on Beaumont Leys Lane, and the intention was to convert the footway from the filling station up to Beaumont Walk, to be a shared facility for the short term, which could be reviewed as and when demand for cycling increased, and further work would continue funding permitted.

Councillor Clarke, Deputy City Mayor for Environment and Transportation, said the Braunstone Gate scheme was an interesting challenge that had been discussed by members of the community. He added that the issues were not unsurmountable as bollard entry had been introduced for businesses in the city and the Council had experience of thinking through those types of problems. He added that it was a fantastic part of the city, and with being so close to the university and city centre, with vibrant businesses that deserved the sort of environment being proposed, and there was a keenness in the community to regenerate the area. Members welcomed the scheme and added that a cultural change was welcomed by the community. Members also noted it would generate the night-time economy for the economic benefit of the city.

Members made the raised the following observations and concerns and responses were made:

·         It was asked what, if any, comments had been received from the police made in terms of how they thought that crime and anti-social behaviour would be reduced as a result of the proposed scheme.

·         Members were further keen to stress that proper consultation should take place with groups representing people with mobility or disability issues who had in the past felt excluded as a result of some of the schemes introduced. It was confirmed that the Council regularly consulted with representatives of mobility, disability and visually impaired groups.

·         Clarification was sought on the legal process for implementing a traffic ban on a road if at certain times access would be required for deliveries. It was noted there would not be a ban on vehicles. The closure would be proposed, but if there were objections it would go to a public enquiry in front of an inspector, where all parties would be invited to present their case. The decision of the inspector would be binding on both parties.

·         It was confirmed that traffic entering from Narborough Road would be able to travel the full length of Braunstone Gate.

·         The Chair asked if there would be any adverse impact on the area with increased footfall. It was noted that the aim of the scheme was to increase footfall, to encourage people to access the facilities for entertainment, eating and drinking, as well as providing a safer environment to encourage cycling.

The Chair asked that the Commission note the report and officers note the comments made by Members.

AGREED:

That:

1.    The report be noted.

2.    Officers to provide clarity around access to Bede Street prior to any work commencing on the scheme.

3.    The Director of Planning, Development and Transportation note the comments of Members.