Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests.

(a)  To agree the minutes of the previous meeting held on 17 January, 2018

(b)  Matters Arising

The minutes of the meeting held on 17 January, 2018 were approved and signed as a true record.

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place)

The Scrutiny Board considered a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) that was to be considered by Cabinet at their meeting to be held on 6 March, 2018, which indicated that, although the overall accident rates are declining on Coventry’s road network, the number of people killed or seriously injured (KSI) on major routes, carrying high volumes of traffic, is increasing. Analysis of KSI’s caused by inappropriate speeds highlight both London Road and Ansty Road as locations of high concern. To address this trend, it is proposed to introduce Average Speed Enforcement (ASE) into the City.

The use of ASE has been piloted in Birmingham and Solihull. Early results are positive with a reduction in speed of up to 20% being achieved. Elsewhere, ASE has reduced KSI rates by up to 75%. The approval and installation of ASE will require close working with enforcement partner organisations such as the West Midlands Police (WMP) and other associated agencies.

There is no adopted policy for installing and prioritising the use of ASE in Coventry and the report highlighted the mechanisms utilised by other regional authorities and proposed Coventry adopt the WMP set criteria agreed in 2017.

The report proposed that ASE be introduced on lengths of London Road and Ansty Road. The installation of ASE would be funded from the Highways Maintenance and Investment Capital Programme budget through the Local Transport Plan. It is anticipated on the basis of Birmingham and Solihull ASE pilot that ongoing maintenance costs will be covered by a share of the revenue generated from speed awareness course fees.

The Scrutiny Board questioned and received answers from the Cabinet Member for City Services and officers on aspects of the report, including:-

  • How the two sites were selected (based on accident statistics)

  • The primary purpose of the scheme, which is to slow traffic and make

    the roads safer

• How the scheme is being funded and where the money from fines will 

  go

• Police responsibility for the monitoring of infringements

• The initial set up costs of £120,000 which will include the equipment,

  intellectual property rights to the average speed camera technology

  and initial maintenance costs.

• If the pilot scheme is successful, the rollout on other main arteries into

  the City where traditional speed calming methods are not appropriate.

• Communications and signage that will be provided to alert people to

  the scheme before the cameras are switched on

• The fact that the cameras will cover both sides of the carriageway

The Scrutiny Board outlined their support for the implementation of the pilot and requested that a review of the pilot be submitted to the Scrutiny Board 6 to 12 months after it becomes operational.

RESOLVED that the  Cabinet be recommended to:-

(1)  Approve the use of Average Speed Enforcement (ASE) in Coventry and that the associated procurement processes for ASE equipment is undertaken

(2)  That ASE schemes be implemented on London Road and Ansty Road

All outstanding issues are included in the Work Programme

The Scrutiny Board noted that all outstanding issues were dealt with in the Scrutiny Board’s Work Programme.

Report of the Scrutiny Co-ordinator

The Scrutiny Board noted a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) which detailed the Board’s Work Programme for 2017/18.

Any other items of urgent public business which the Chair decides to take as a matter of urgency because of the special circumstances involved.

There were no other items of urgent public business.