Agenda item

To consider the decisions made by Cabinet at their meeting held on 3 April 2012 in relation to the above item, which has been called in post decision by Councillors D’Agorne, Taylor and Hyman in accordance with the Council’s Constitution. A cover report is attached setting out the reasons for the call-in and the remit and powers of the Scrutiny Management Committee (Calling-In) in relation to the call-in procedure, together with the original report to and decisions of the Cabinet.

Members received a report which asked them to consider the decisions made by Cabinet at their meeting held on 3 April 2012, in relation to the reinstatement of two traffic lanes on the Water End approach to the Clifton Green junction. Further information on the options and results of consultation undertaken in respect of the two options put forward for consideration were detailed in the report.

Details of the Cabinet’s decisions were attached as Annex A to the report, with the original report to Cabinet attached as Annex B. The decisions had been called in by Cllrs D’Agorne, Taylor and Hyman on the following grounds:

a)        Failure to give due consideration to the representations of all three emergency services and the outcome of the public consultation

b)        Failure to take full account of the safety implications and potential increase in cycle accidents given the doubling of users since the left turn layout was last in place prior to the changes

c)        Decision is contrary to the council's transport hierarchy and priorities for increasing the use of non motorised means of transport, risking damage to the overall strategy by devaluing the orbital cycle route as a high quality strategic cycle route

d)        Decision is likely to undermine confidence of external funders in financing sustainable travel initiatives in the city

e)        Decision will not achieve the reason given "To address the issue around traffic congestion caused by the external layout at the Water end junction" as Cllr Merrett stated to the cabinet meeting that the junction will continue to be overloaded at peak times after the proposed change is made.

f)          Decision could lay the council open to potential injury /corporate manslaughter claims by making changes that safety audit has indicated would create greater risks for vulnerable road users. (ref Death at Kings Cross, London Oct 2011 and potential case against TfL)

g)         Decision will not achieve the objective of reducing delays in the long term and does not address the concern about 'rat running' through Westminster Rd/ The Avenue which will continue unless a trial closure is introduced at thesame time as any increase in capacity at the junction.

Members were asked to decide whether to confirm the decisions (Option a) or to refer them back to the Cabinet for re-consideration (Option b).

Councillor D’Agorne addressed the meeting on behalf of the Calling-In members he reiterated the grounds for the call-in. Particularly the emergency services lack of support for the reinstatement options and the increase in cycling take up since the addition of the cycle lane. Reference was made to the affect the decision would have on confidence of external funders with the scheme’s assistance in providing a modal shift to sustainable transport. The call-in members felt that changes at the junction were not justified as they would only have minimum impact on peak time delays at the junction. The minority view of residents of Westminster Road/The Avenue should also not be ignored with consideration given to point closure of the road on a trial basis followed by an assessment of its impact.

The Cabinet Member for City Strategy responded to the points raised, confirming that a number had already been covered by Cllr Scott. The representations received had all been carefully considered as had the lack of injury accidents recorded at the junction. He stated that it had been a Labour manifesto commitment to reinstate the left hand lane with investigations being undertaken to ascertain the safest manner in which to carry out this work, which included taking legal advice. He confirmed that any reinstatement would retain the route for cyclists approaching the junction from Clifton Bridge. In respect of the issues at Westminster Road/The Avenue he acknowledged the increased use of the estate roads however the reintroduction of the left hand lane would assist in alleviating this problem. He also confirmed that Officers would investigate point closure options however the implications needed to be understood prior to any measures being implemented.

After a full debate, it was

RESOLVED:             That Option (a) be approved and that the decisions of the Cabinet be confirmed.

REASON:                  In accordance with the requirements of the Council’s Constitution.