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City of York Council |
Committee Minutes |
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Meeting |
Decision Session - Executive Member for Transport |
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Date |
19 July 2022 |
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Present |
Councillors D'Agorne |
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12. Declarations of Interest (10:00)
The Executive Member was asked to declare, at this point in the meeting, any personal interests, not included on the Register of Interests, or any prejudicial or disclosable pecuniary interests that he might have had in respect of business on the agenda. He confirmed he had none.
13. Minutes (10:01)
Resolved: That the minutes of the Decision Session of the Executive Member for Transport held on 21 June 2022 be approved and signed by the Executive Member as a correct record.
14. Public Participation (10:02)
It was reported that there had been seven registrations to speak at the meeting under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme.
Councillor Vassie raised his concern that the Heslington to Wheldrake and Elvington cycle path would not be completed. He highlighted public and government support for the scheme and requested that instead of reallocating funding that the Executive Member agree to use the funding available to purchase land to make the routes creation possible once funding could be secured or to postpone the use of the funding until more could be secured.
Councillor Melly noted that she felt the size of the agenda at over 500 pages was not accessible to residents. She also enquired why there were no updates on the Acomb Road Active Travel scheme and why feasibility reports were not included for the Bootham Active Travel scheme or Heslington to Wheldrake. She also asked how many active travel schemes had been delivered.
James Goodman lives in Wheldrake and stated that residents in the village didn’t want the cycle path to be dropped. He noted that there was no active travel routes into York from the village and if York is to be the home of Active Travel England then the Council should be seeking to deliver these schemes even if they cost more than initially expected.
Rob Ainsley representing the York Cycle Campaign highlighted the need for a reduction in carbon emissions. He stated that the Council had a terrible record of delivery of Active Travel schemes. He asked why the Council could delivery the duelling of the outer ring road but could not afford a cycle route between Heslington to Wheldrake and stated that there should be workable options for delivery but no feasibility report was included in the report.
Roger Pierce representing Walk York noted that he felt the Council collected too much data and used too little evidence. He raised concern that there were too few pedestrian schemes the Active Travel programme. He asked why higher Kurbs were being installed in the city centre and enquired about whether a city centre consultancy group could be established to assist in decision making.
Tom Franklin noted as a Clifton Parish Councillor that residents had explained to them that they would not be sending children to Manor School without the A1237 crossing being completed. He noted that he felt the Council was not following its own priority list and was only taking motorists into account and hid behind being unable to meet LTPN120. He thanked the Executive Member for pushing for the delivery of schemes.
Councillor Smalley asked that A1237 crossing scheme be delivered. He noted that 322 residents had signed a quickly organised petition showing local support for a safer crossing. He highlighted that while the current crossing is dangerous it hasn’t yet had many accidents and therefore was concerned seeking safety funding to deliver the scheme would not be successful.
15. Active Travel Programme (10:26)
Officers introduced the report into the Active Travel Programme and highlighted the progress with a number of schemes such as Navigation Road. It was confirmed that some schemes officers considered were unable to be delivered with the current budget for the program, confirming that some schemes costs had been underestimated and therefore bid funding was insufficient to deliver these schemes. Consequently it was noted that it was recommended that some funding be reallocated to deliverable schemes.
The Executive Member discussed the City Centre Cycle Parking improvements scheme with Officers and approved the scheme but wished to note the decision was also taking into account other work within the city centre. The trial of a last mile freight hub was discussed as well as the need for more cycle parking close to the footstreets. More secure cycle parking was also discussed as a way of encouraging residents to feel safer about parking bikes in the city.
The Executive Member approved the undertaking of feasibility work for the two People Streets schemes at Clifton Green Primary School and Badger Hill Primary School. He also acknowledged the feasibility work undertaken in relation to Ostman Road and noted the significant cost associated with each of the options in the report. The Executive Member stated that he would like consultation with stakeholders and ward councillors to be undertaken on the different options outlined in the report. He noted that as he was of a mind not reallocate funds from other schemes he didn’t wish for funding to be spent on design work until a preferred option was agreed. He did support including Ostman Road in a future funding bid for Active Travel funding to deliver the scheme.
Officers confirmed that the changes to Navigation Road to improve cycling provisions had had a positive response from cyclists and pedestrians and therefore would recommend the changes be made permanent. Some objections from motorists had been received and were considered, it was confirmed that the provisional changes had not had a significantly negative impact on the road network and therefore the Executive Member agreed to make the changes permanent.
A small scheme on City Centre Bridges to add signage to encourage safer passing of cyclists was approved. The Executive Member noted that he was pleased that the police had an interest in addressing close passing. A no overtaking sign was noted as having been considered and rejected and it was noted that changes to the speed limit was also discussed but Officers deemed that changes to the speed limit should be kept as part of wider schemes.
Officers confirmed that crossing on the A1237 was not a pleasant or safe crossing for cyclists however, there was insufficient funds to deliver an improved crossing. Consultants for the Council it was confirmed had been unable to identify a step forward. It was discussed whether funding could be secured for improvements to be undertaken as part of a safety scheme, however, the low accident record at the crossing could affect funding. A new bridge crossing was discussed and officers confirmed that legal services had raised concerns that this would affect the duelling of the outer ring road project. The Executive Member requested that instead of reassigning the funds assigned to the scheme that they be used to explore the feasibility of a new bridge.
The Wheldrake to Heslington active travel scheme was discussed, Officers confirmed that following a feasibility study for Elvington to Heslington it was confirmed that the cost deliver the scheme was outside the current budget. Therefore they recommended that the budget be reallocated. The Executive Member noted that he was not currently willing to reallocate funds and would like to explore using the current funding available for things such as purchasing land required for a route. He asked that officers work with the Department for Transport, Sustrans, and Active Travel England on whether a smaller less expensive scheme could be delivered.
Resolved:
i. Approved the Project Outline for the ‘City Centre Cycle Parking Improvements’ scheme attached in Annex 1.
Proceed to undertake Feasibility work to understand costs, timescales, outline designs and consultation feedback to inform a further decision prior to implementation.
Reason: To provide clarity on the objectives and scope of the
proposed scheme.
ii. Approved the Project Outline for the ‘People Streets at Clifton Green Primary School’ scheme attached in Annex 2.
Proceed to undertake Feasibility work to understand costs, timescales, outline designs and consultation feedback to inform a further decision prior to implementation.
Reason: To provide clarity on the objectives and scope of the
proposed scheme.
iii. Approved the Project Outline for the ‘People Streets at Badger Hill Primary School’ scheme attached in Annex 3.
Proceed to undertake Feasibility work to understand costs, timescales, outline designs and consultation feedback to inform a further decision prior to implementation.
Reason: To provide clarity on the objectives and scope of the
proposed scheme.
iv. Agreed to make the Experimental Traffic Regulation Order relating to Navigation Road cycle scheme permanent.
Reason: To successfully conclude the Navigation Road trial scheme.
v. Confirmed that the proposals presented for the City Centre Bridges scheme align with the approved Project Outline, and decide to proceed with consultation, detailed design and implementation.
Reason: To support progress towards implementation of a solution.
vi. That officers work with the Department for Transport and Sustrans to use the existing funding to explore the feasibility of a new bridge for pedestrians and cyclists on the A1237.
For officers to consider whether in the longer term if active travel provision could be considered as part of the Outer Ring Road works.
For officers to explore shorter term options to improve safety are to be explored through the separate Safety Scheme Review process within the Transport Capital Programme.
Reason: To consider options to create a safe crossing on the A1237.
vii. That officers explore with the Department for Transport, Sustrans, and Active Travel England the possibility of undertaking feasibility work for a smaller active travel scheme between Wheldrake and Heslington.
Reason: To consider options for an affordable scheme to be undertaken.
viii. Noted the outcome of the feasibility work for the ‘People Streets at Ostman Road’ scheme laid out in section 125 and decide to seek further funding before proceeding to implementation. Seek Active Travel grant funding support at the next round of bidding.
However, do not progress with detailed design work on Design Option 1 presented within Annex 8, instead seek the views of Ward Councillors and stakeholders.
Reason: Feasibility work indicates that whilst a practically achievable scheme has been identified, there is currently insufficient budget to deliver the scheme.
16. Micromobility trial update (11:54)
The Department for Transport has now extended the e-scooter and e-bike trail until 31 May 2024 and therefore the Council can choose to extend its current trail. The Executive Member thanked the Councils partner Tier in delivering e-scooters and e-bikes in the city and for working with the Council and residents to deliver a successful trail and agreed to continue the trail.
Resolved:
i. Agreed to continue with the e-scooter and e-bike trial in line with the Department for Transport (“DfT”) guidance in York until 31st May 2024 and continue contribution of officer time in kind and to delegate authority to the Director of Environment, Transport and Planning in consultation with the Director of Governance and the Chief Finance Officer to explore and extend the current arrangements for the existing operator, if viable. If market engagement and re-procurement is required, a further paper will be brought to a future Executive Member Decision Session to approve arrangements;
Reason: To further explore environmental and carbon reduction benefits of shared asset schemes and zero emission micromobility (e-bikes and e-scooters);
17. Directorate of Place 2022/23 Transport Capital Programme – Consolidated Report (12:01)
The Executive Member considered the report and Officers confirmed that the Active Travel Programme was not included due to breakdown provided in item four of the agenda pack and would therefore be included as usual in future reports. The Executive Member agreed to note the amendments to the 2022/23 Directorate of Place Transport Capital Programme budget, subject to approval by the Executive.
Resolved:
i. Approved the carryover schemes and adjustments set out in the report and annexes;
ii. Noted the amendments to the 2022/23 Directorate of Place Transport Capital Programme budget, subject to approval by the Executive.
Reason: To implement the council’s transport strategy identified
in York’s third Local Transport Plan and the Council Priorities, and deliver schemes identified in the council’s Transport Programme, including the Active Travel Programme.
Cllr A D’Agorne, Executive Member for Transport
[The meeting started at 10.00 am and finished at 12.05 pm].