Agenda item

Report of the Interim Director of Economic Growth

To consider the above petition bearing 80 signatures. The Petition Organiser has been invited to the meeting for consideration of the item.

The Cabinet Member for City Services considered a report of the Interim Director of Economic Growth, that responded to a petition requesting that the Council require Costco to take measures to prevent vehicle queues from their car park extending onto the A45. The Petition Organiser attended the meeting on behalf of the petitioners. A representative from Costco also attended on the companies’ behalf.

The petition contained 80 signatures and in accordance with the City Council’s procedure for dealing with petitions, those related to road safety 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 a meeting of Cabinet Member for City Services. The Petition Organiser subsequently requested that a report be submitted to a meeting.

The determination letter outlined actions already underway, including agreed mitigation measures with Costco and improvements to lane markings approaching the car park to support traffic flow. Whilst the additional measures requested through the petition were noted, including pre?booked entry slots and penalties for non?compliance; these could not be enforced by the Council. However, officers would continue to work with Costco to manage traffic and minimise queues extending onto the A45. Petitioners’ suggestions were to be shared with Costco for consideration.

The Petition Organiser spoke in support of the petition and raised their concerns, including:

• That a significant proportion of the Costco clientele were not residents of Torrington Avenue or the immediate area.
• That Christmas and international events that significantly increased traffic were regular and, in some cases, predictable and should not be used as excuses as they can be prepared for.
• That monitoring needs to continue long term and cannot be halted once the petition debate closes.
• That issues arise not only for those going to Costco as the traffic spreads it causes safety issues and obstructions in surrounding roads.
• Although petitioners appreciate Costco’s effort and engagement, there is clearly more effective methods Costco won’t implement as it would negatively impact their profit.

Officers and the representative from Costco responded to questions, concerns and queries as follows:

• That Costco recognised the disruption, and increased traffic would likely remain for the foreseeable future, and their strategy would be calibrated accordingly with a long-term approach.
• There were limits to Costco and the Councils powers that prevented and slowed certain solutions, however there were more long-term strategies and engagement, particularly with West Midlands Police, that would provide solutions further down the line.
• There are ongoing discussions to secure offsite parking that could provide significant alleviation to the traffic issues.
• Better signage and internal policing were being implemented, and this is expected to improve traffic management and address driver behaviour issues.
• That officers will liaise with the petition organiser and his existing links within the community to communicate updates to the community.
• That Costco staff face abuse and risk injury from careless driving and angry customers, this combined with the lack of legal powers of their staff limits their efficacy.
• A key focus going forward would be keeping the public informed of the council and Costco’s progress.
• That officers would continue to work with West Midlands Police regarding traffic safety around Costco.
• Urban traffic management operated from 7am – 7pm Monday to Friday and cameras would be on during weekends, so that officers could monitor the traffic flows.

RESOLVED that the Cabinet Member for City Services:

1)  Noted the petitioners’ concerns.

2)  Endorsed the actions which were agreed and set out in the determination letter to the petition organiser as detailed in section 2 of the report.