Agenda item

Report of the Director of Transportation, Highways and Sustainability.

To consider an e-petition headed “Request a Pause in Earlsdon Liveable Neighbourhood Programme”, bearing 277 signatures The petition has been submitted by Councillor M Heaven, a Wainbody Ward Councillor and the Petition Sponsor, who has been invited to the meeting for the consideration of this item along with the Petition Organiser.

To consider an e-petition headed “Proposed bus gate on Spencer Road”, bearing 24 signatures. The Petition Organiser has been invited to the meeting for the consideration of this item.

The Cabinet Member for City Services considered a report of the Director of Transportation, Highways and Sustainability on the Earlsdon Liveable Neighbourhood Scheme including two petitions raised regarding the scheme.

A petition headed ‘Request a Pause in Earlsdon Liveable Neighbourhood Programme’ bearing 277 signatures, had been submitted.  Councillor M Heaven, a Wainbody Ward Councillor, sponsored the petition and she, along with the Petition Organiser attended the meeting.

A further petition headed ‘Proposed bus gate on Spencer Road’, bearing 24 signatures, had been submitted.  The Petition Organiser was unable to attend the meeting.

The Council had secured £770,000 grant funding for the Liveable Neighbourhood scheme and associated improvements to National Cycle Route 52 and commenced the engagement process in December 2022.  The initial engagement identified transport and traffic issues within Earlsdon that the local community wished the scheme to address, and this informed the development of a package of measures that was subject to a further round of consultation in September and October 2023.

The second round of consultation had generated 6,000 comments, which had been considered in detail, resulting in an amended scheme that sought to improve the pedestrian and cycling environment, reduce the impact of traffic upon the local community, whilst retaining access for residents and businesses in the area.  Key features of the proposed scheme included an area-wide 20mph zone, new pedestrian and cycle crossings at key locations, traffic management measures to deter through traffic and reduce vehicle speeds, and the creation of enhanced public space outside the library and primary school on Earlsdon Avenue.

Councillor Heaven and the Petition Organiser spoke in support of their petition explaining that it had been raised due to concerns from residents living in Earlsdon and the following issues were highlighted:

·  The petition had been raised to drive engagement.

·  Some residents and traders had been unaware of the proposals.

·  Consultation meetings had been cancelled and organised at short notice, there had been no time for questions and answers and communications had been poor.

·  Responses had not been received to outstanding queries raised at the last consultation event.

·  Critical Success Factors (CSF’s) were aspirational and potentially unquantifiable.

·  Levels of nitrogen dioxide had not been measured in Earlsdon High Street so pollution reduction could not be measured.

·  How would increases in walking and cycling be measured.

·  The withdrawal of the Number 2 bus was concerning.

·  How would traffic calming measures be enforced.

Officers responded, advising:

·  Significant engagement had been undertaken and the scheme adjusted in line with the feedback received.  A further round of consultation was scheduled to take place.

·  Traffic flows would be monitored and if required, officers would respond accordingly.

·  Project success would be evidence led including increases in people walking, cycling, visiting shops and lowered traffic volumes and speeds.

·  Work was underway with partners to improve bus services.  West Midlands on Demand was an alternative for residents.

·  The funding for the scheme was time limited.

·  Nitrogen dioxide measuring stations were situated across the city, with two on the edge of Earlsdon.  Mobile equipment was used to monitor nitrogen dioxide levels.

·  Extensive communications had been undertaken to notify residents of the consultation events and local councillors had shared information on social media.

·  Traffic management implementation would ensure drivers adhere to the speed limits.

·  The proposed bus gate on Spencer Road had been withdrawn from the scheme.

Councillor Tucker and representatives of Earlsdon Community Speedwatch welcomed the scheme, in particular; the further consultation, collection of data and traffic calming measures.

RESOLVED that the Cabinet Member for City Services:

1)  Notes the Phase Two consultation feedback as captured within the consultation report, and the two petitions submitted to the City Council regarding the scheme, and that full consideration has been given to these in developing the recommended scheme.

2)  Approves the implementation of the Liveable Neighbourhood package of measures, as described in in paragraphs 2.7 to 2.11 of the report and presented diagrammatically in Figure 2, and authorise the Director of Transportation, Highways and Sustainability to take the necessary steps to implement the Liveable Neighbourhood scheme.

3)  Approves the conversion of a section of footway on Albany Road between Newcombe Road and the Rugby to Birmingham railway line bridge to cycle track under sections 65 and 66 of the Highways Act 1980 as shown in Figure 3.

4)  Instructs the Director of Transport, Highways and Sustainability to advertise Traffic Regulation Orders and Notices of Intent for those elements of the revised scheme, as outlined in paragraphs 2.7 to 2.11 of this report, requiring such Orders and Notices, and to either make those Orders should no objections be received or to bring a report back for consideration by the Cabinet Member for City Services should objections be received.