Agenda item

The purpose of this report is to consider the objections made during the first 12 months of the experimental Traffic Regulation Order governing the operating hours of the footstreets in the city centre and if appropriate to  make the experimental Traffic Regulation Order permanent. 

Resolved:  (i)      That the experimental Traffic Regulation Order

                             be made permanent.

                   (ii)      That officers be delegated authority to redefine

the exemption for market traders’ early finish in line with the Authority’s longer term aims for the market operation and its aims for the footstreets area.

                   (iii)     That a further report be prepared considering the

extension of the loading only period to 7 to 10.30am and 5 to 7pm and creating a standardised access only restriction overnight of 7pm to 7am.

                   (iv)    That the installation of removable bollards at the

St Helen’s Square end of Stonegate to physically enforce the loading only period be approved.

Reasons:   (i)      Because the changes introduced during the

experiment have achieved the desired affect with minimal reported problems.

                   (ii)      To recognise the very different trading

environment in the market compared with the more usual business activities that take place in buildings.

                   (iii)     To further reduce general traffic in the central

area and extend the loading only period, given the reduction caused by the extended footstreet hours; reduce confusion over varying hours and restrictions; acknowledge the spread of peak hour traffic and encourage the early evening city centre economy.

                   (iv)    To achieve greater compliance with the Traffic

                             Regulation Order.

The Cabinet Member considered a report which detailed the objections made during the first 12 months of the experimental Traffic Regulation Order governing the operating hours of the footstreets in the city centre and which asked him to determine whether it was appropriate to make the experimental Traffic Regulation Order permanent.

The Cabinet Member responded to issues that had been raised under the Public Participation item and stated that, where appropriate, he would forward the concerns that had been raised to the relevant Cabinet Member or officer.

Consideration was given to the following options:

Option 1 – confirm the making of the experimental Traffic Regulation Order permanent

Option 2 – continue the experimental Traffic Regulation Order for up to the remainder of the 18 month period and decide at a later date whether to confirm or drop the experiment

Option 3 – end the experimental Traffic Regulation Order and revert to the previous restrictions

Option 4 – commit to consulting city centre retailers and businesses on the following and bring a report to a subsequent Decision Session meeting to consider the outcome:

·        Extending the loading only option for motor vehicles in the footstreets 7 to 10:30am and 5 to 7pm

·        Standardising the motor vehicles access only restriction overnight (7pm to 7am) across the whole of the footstreets area

Option 5 – delegate authority to redefine the exemption for market traders’ early finish in line with the Authority’s longer term aims for the market operation.

Option 6 – approve the installation of a pair of bollards at the end of Stonegate to enforce the existing Traffic Regulation Order.

The Cabinet Member stated that it was necessary to make compromises when considering issues in respect of the city centre.  He acknowledged the concerns that had been raised by traders and service delivery businesses but stated that the widening of the footstreets hours would have benefits, including contributing to the strengthening of the evening economy.  The Cabinet Member stated that the recommendations struck the right balance.

Resolved:  (i)      That the experimental Traffic Regulation Order

                             be made permanent.

                   (ii)      That officers be delegated authority to redefine

the exemption for market traders’ early finish in line with the Authority’s longer term aims for the market operation and its aims for the footstreets area.

                   (iii)     That a further report be prepared considering the

extension of the loading only period to 7 to 10.30am and 5 to 7pm and creating a standardised access only restriction overnight of 7pm to 7am.

                   (iv)    That the installation of removable bollards at the

St Helen’s Square end of Stonegate to physically enforce the loading only period be approved.

Reasons:   (i)      Because the changes introduced during the

experiment have achieved the desired affect with minimal reported problems.

                   (ii)      To recognise the very different trading

environment in the market compared with the more usual business activities that take place in buildings.

                   (iii)     To further reduce general traffic in the central

area and extend the loading only period, given the reduction caused by the extended footstreet hours; reduce confusion over varying hours and restrictions; acknowledge the spread of peak hour traffic and encourage the early evening city centre economy.

                   (iv)    To achieve greater compliance with the Traffic

                             Regulation Order.