Agenda and minutes

Councillor M Heaven declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in the matter in Minute 6/24 headed ‘Petition 30/23 - Holmsdale Road - Residents only Parking Permits and One Way Traffic Flow’. She left the meeting for consideration of the item.

(a)  To agree the minutes of the meeting held on 10^th April 2024

(b)  Matters Arising

The minutes of the meeting held on 10^th April 2024 were agreed as a true record. 

There were no matters arising.

Report of the Director of City Services and Commercial

Note:  The objectors have been invited to the meeting for the consideration of this item.

The Cabinet Member for City Services considered a report of the Director of City Services and Commercial concerning objections that had been received to a Traffic Regulation Order advertised on 15^th February 2024, relating to proposed new waiting restrictions on North View. 

The report indicated that 7 objections were received during the statutory consultation period and a representation from Seva School was subsequently received, which highlighted the potential impact of proposed restrictions on school pick up and drop off activities. The 7 objections all referred to the parking of vehicles (on existing double yellow lines) on Eden Road, while people wait to pick up children attending Seva school, located on Eden Road.  The objectors advised that the access to Denso, opposite the school, was also being blocked by drivers waiting for pupils.  Six objectors also advised that they considered a better solution would be to install double red lines (no stopping at any time) including on Eden Road, to reduce the safety risks to children.

A summary of the proposed restrictions, objections and responses were set out in appendices to the report.  The objectors were invited to the meeting. An objector who attended the meeting highlighted the safety risk to children attending Seva school.

The officer responded to the issues raised at the meeting as follows:

• Appendices 1 and 2 set out a phased approach.
• The proposed single yellow lines were on an unrestricted section which would provide a level of control.
• Officers wished to engage with local businesses to meet the needs of all parties.

The cost of introducing the proposed TROs, if approved, would be funded from the Highways Maintenance and Investment Capital Programme budget through the Local Transport Plan.

RESOLVED that, having considered the objections to the proposed waiting restrictions, the Cabinet Member for City Services:

1)  Approves the part implementation of the proposed prohibition of waiting on North View as shown in Appendix C to the report.

2)  Endorses the ongoing work of the Traffic Management Team to engage the local stakeholders to identify options and solutions considering the differing needs of each party.

3)  Approves the proposal to advertise further parking restrictions on North View to address all day and overnight parking as shown in Appendix D to the report.

Report of the Director of City Services and Commercial

Note:  The objectors have been invited to the meeting for the consideration of this item.

The Cabinet Member for City Services considered a report of the Director of City Services and Commercial regarding objections to proposed prohibition of driving restriction on Watery Lane, Corley Moor.

Residents, with the support of Allesley Parish Council, had contacted the Council on several occasions regarding ongoing concerns with antisocial behaviour and misuse of Watery Lane, Corley Moor.  In response to these concerns, a scheme proposing the introduction of restrictions to prevent traffic from using a section of Watery Lane was developed in liaison with the Parish Council.  The scheme as proposed would use bollards to prevent vehicles entering a section of Watery Lane.  The bollards would be removable, with keys provided to those requiring access to land accessed from the restricted section of highway. 

On 7^th March 2024, a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) proposing the introduction of prohibition of driving except for access on Watery Lane was advertised commencing a 21 day statutory consultation period. 

The report indicated that six objections were received during the statutory consultation period, raising several concerns associated with the impact and inconvenience of the restriction on residents and landowners and highlighting the risk facilitating other types of antisocial behaviour on Watery Lane and neighbouring roads. 

A summary of the representations received to Watery Lane TRO were set out in appendices to the report.  The Allesley Parish Council, residents and objectors were invited to the meeting.

On 13^th June a request was received from Allesley Parish Council requesting to defer the item in order to provide additional evidence.

Representatives of Allesley Parish Council spoke in support of the road closure, adding that residents were unanimous in support however, the report had not made reference to safety, which was their primary reason for the proposed closure. 

The cost of introducing the proposed TROs, if approved, would be funded from the Highways Maintenance and Investment Capital Programme budget through the Local Transport Plan.

RESOLVED that, having considered all the objections to the proposed waiting restrictions, the Cabinet Member for City Services agrees that the report be deferred to enable a site visit to be arranged for the Cabinet Member and relevant officers.

Report of the Director of City Services and Commercial

Notes:

(i)  The objectors and supporters have been invited to the meeting for the consideration of this item.

(ii)  To consider a petition headed ‘Formal Objection to Parking Restrictions on Ethelred Close’, bearing 9 signatures, which is being supported by Councillor J Blundell, a Wainbody Ward Councillor, who has been invited to the meeting for the consideration of this item, along with the petition organiser.

The Cabinet Member for City Services considered a report of the Director of City Services and Commercial, which responded to a petition requesting no parking restrictions to be implemented on Ethelred Close, Coventry.

A report advised that Jennaway Gardens and Ethelred Close, were new residential roads accessed from Little Cryfield.  Little Cryfield had existing waiting restrictions of ‘No Waiting, Monday – Friday, 8am – 6pm’ installed to address the problem of commuter parking associated with the nearby University of Warwick campus.

Due to the potential that Jennaway Gardens and Ethelred Close could encounter the same issues with commuter parking, it was proposed as part of the Planning considerations that the waiting restrictions would be extended into the new roads.

The extension of the existing restriction, together with a prohibition of waiting (double yellow lines) at the road junctions was therefore proposed.

On 21^st March 2024, the proposed Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) for the restrictions was advertised, commencing a 21-day objection period.  Two objections, a petition in opposition, containing 9 signatures and 5 responses in support of the proposals were received. The petition was supported by Councillor J Blundell, a Wainbody Ward Councillor who, together with the Petition Organiser, attended the meeting and spoke on behalf of the petitioners.

In accordance with the City Council's procedure for dealing with objections to TROs, including Experimental TROs, they are reported to the Cabinet Member for City Services for a decision as to how to proceed.

The cost of introducing the proposed TRO, if approved, would be funded from the Section 38 agreements made with the developer.

All of the respondents were invited to the meeting and several attended.

Objectors advised cars were parked on the pavements and were therefore unable to be used to walk on, causing safety concerns, in particular, those residents with mobility issues.

The officer responded in detail to the issues raised at the meeting advising that once the restrictions were in place, officers would monitor their effect and if considered necessary, an extension of double yellow lines on the eastern side of Jennaway Gardens (up to the tactile paving) proposed.

RESOLVED that, having considered all the objections to the proposed waiting restrictions, the Cabinet Member for City Services:

1)  Approves the implementation of part of the proposed TRO; the double yellow lines (prohibition of waiting) at road junctions and the ‘prohibition of waiting, Monday to Friday, 8am – 6pm’ on Jennaway Gardens, as shown on the plan in Appendix B to the report.

2)  Approves the removal from the TRO of the proposed ‘prohibition of waiting, Monday to Friday, 8am – 6pm’ restriction on Ethelred Close.

3)  Subject to recommendation 2) above being implemented, the effect of the restrictions be monitored and if considered necessary, an extension of double yellow lines on the eastern side of Jennaway Gardens (up to the tactile paving) be proposed.

Report of the Director of City Services and Commercial.

To consider the above petition bearing 116 signatures.  The petition is being sponsored by Councillor S Nazir, a Foleshill Ward Councillor, who has been invited to the meeting for the consideration of this item along with the Petition Organiser.

The Cabinet Member for City Services considered a report of the Director of City Services and Commercial, which responded to a petition requesting a one-way system and residents parking permit scheme on Holmsdale Road.  The petition was supported by Councillor S Nazir, a Foleshill Ward Councillor, who attended the meeting and spoke on behalf of the Petition Organiser and petitioners.

The petition submitted contained 116 signatures and in accordance with the City Council’s procedure for dealing with petitions, those related to road safety and parking issues were heard by the Cabinet Member for City Services.  The Cabinet Member had considered the petition in advance of the meeting and requested that the petition be dealt with by Determination Letter rather than a formal report being submitted to the meeting.

On receipt of the Determination Letter, the Petition Organiser advised he wanted the issue to be considered at a Cabinet Member for City Services meeting.

A report indicated the determination letter had advised that the Council had received funding from the government to help improve cycling, walking and wheeling (pushchairs and wheelchairs) and reduce traffic in Foleshill.  Part of this programme was consulted upon during November and December 2023.  Following the consultations, Council officers were reviewing the proposed measures and would analyse traffic flow and parking issues in the Foleshill area.  The roads immediately feeding Foleshill Road, including Holmsdale Road, would form part of the review.  After completion of the review, the Council would undertake further consultation with residents.

A follow-up response was sent to the Petition Organiser on 18 April 2024, to further explain the introduction of car park charges in Holmsdale Road car park were on hold and traffic management arrangements would be reviewed as part of the wider Foleshill Transport Package, including consideration of resident parking permits and a one-way system on Holmsdale Road.

Councillor S Nazir spoke in support of the petition, confirming that both herself and the Petition Organiser were in agreement with the recommendations.

RESOLVED that having considered the petition,the Cabinet Member for City Services:

1)  Notes the petitioners’ concerns.

2)  Endorses the actions which had been agreed to be issues by determination letter to the petition organiser as detailed in paragraph 1.5 of the report.

Report of the Director of City Services and Commercial

The Cabinet Member considered a report of the Director of City Services and Commercial regarding a School Streets restriction introduced on Knights Templar Way, Lomsey Close and Monks Field Close in February 2023 in response to concerns raised by residents over school related parking and congestion.  This was the first restriction of its type introduced in the City.

A School Streets restriction creates a Pedestrian and Cycle Zone for specified times at the start and end of the school day.  During times of the restriction, cars cannot drive into the zone unless they have a permit or valid exemption.  The initiative sought to improve the road environment by reducing congestion and obstructive parking.  It was easier and safer for children to walk, cycle or scoot to school, whilst reducing air pollution.

School Streets were a new, innovative way to address historic traffic problems that many schools and communities experienced at the start and end of the school day.  School traffic and parking problems had been raised by residents of the three roads for several years, and despite steps being taken to address these, residents still reported experiencing daily challenges associated with school traffic.

The Knights Templar Way Area School Street restriction was introduced using an experimental traffic regulation order (ETRO).  This enabled the Council to trail the initiative for 18 months before deciding whether to make the scheme permanent or revoke it.

Monitoring of the School Street restriction had been undertaken and feedback sought from the local community regarding its effectiveness over its first year of operation.  Concerns over lack of compliance had been raised, with the restriction currently enforceable by colleagues at West Midlands Police, there had been only limited enforcement visits.

In February 2022, Cabinet approved an application to the Secretary of State for the powers to enforce moving traffic offences to help improve road safety and reduce congestion.  The DfT approved the Council’s application and in July 2023, made a Designation Order allowing the Council to adopt the powers and undertake camera-based Moving Traffic enforcement of certain restrictions such as School Streets.

Based on observations and feedback from residents, it was now recommended that camera-based monitoring commenced from September 2024.  This would then transition into camera-based enforcement, subject to a final 6-week monitoring and consultation period, should the evidence continue to support this course of action at that stage.

Councillor M Lapsa, congratulated officers for all their hard work in bringing the long awaited restriction into operation.

Officers explained that the current focus was to successfully implement the restrictions to the Knights Templar School however, funding had been secured to bring forward a further phase of the School Streets programme, to be introduced in September 2024, to Stanton Bridge Primary School, Southfields Primary School, Ravensdale Primary School and Cardinal Wiseman Catholic School, before any other schools could be considered in future funding rounds.

RESOLVED that the Cabinet Member for City Services:

1)  Approves making the City of Coventry (Knights Templar Way Area) (Prohibition of Driving) (Experimental) Order  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

Report of the Director of City Services and Commercial

The Cabinet Member for City Services considered a report of the Director of City Services in respect of petitions received relating to the portfolio of the Cabinet Member.

In June 2015, amendments to the Petitions Scheme, which forms part of the Constitution, were approved in order to provide flexibility and streamline current practice.  This change had reduced costs and bureaucracy and improved the service to the public.

These amendments allow for a petition to be dealt with or responded to by letter without being formally presented in a report to a Cabinet Member meeting.

In light of this, at the meeting of the Cabinet Member for Public Services on 15 March 2016, it was approved that a summary of those petitions received which were determined by letter, or where decisions are deferred pending further investigations, be reported to subsequent meetings of the Cabinet Member for Public Services (now amended to Cabinet Member for City Services), where appropriate, for monitoring and transparency purposes.

Appendix A to the report set out petitions received and how officers proposed to respond to them.

RESOLVED that the Cabinet Member for City Services endorses the actions being taken by officers as set out in Section 2 and Appendix A of the report in response to the petitions received.

There are no outstanding issues

There were no outstanding issues.

Any other items of public business which the Cabinet Member decides to take as matters of urgency because of the special circumstances involved

There were no other items of public business.