Agenda item - City Transport Access Measures

The Corporate Director, Economy and Place, to present a report which sets out an approach to developing proposals to ensure safety in the city, through a review of transport access into the city centre and areas adjacent to the Minster and York Racecourse.

Resolved: (i) That Officers be requested to work with representatives from North Yorkshire Police, York BID, Make it York, York Minster and York Racecourse to upgrade existing highway infrastructure, and to identify additional locations where vehicle restrictions will take precedence over access requirements due to the potential conflict between pedestrians and vehicles.

(ii) That these proposals be developed and determined at a future Decision Session of the Executive Member for Transport & Planning.

Reason: To ensure that the risks identified by the police are acted upon as soon as possible in the interests of public safety, but in a managed and qualitative way, in consultation with key partners.

(iii) That authority be delegated to the Director of Economy & Place, in consultation with the Executive Member for Transport & Planning and the Interim Deputy Leader, to make decisions in relation to a one year trial, proposals for which will be developed with York Racecourse to minimise the impact on transport infrastructure at the racecourse, principally taxis and buses, to expedite the delivery of a scheme before the first race of the 2018 season.

Reason: To ensure that there are adequate crowd safety measures and protocols in place before the first race meeting of 2018.

(iv) That Officers be instructed to engage and work with key disabled access stakeholders, e.g. Disabled Parking Associationand Shopmobility, to review disabled parking within the city centre at the same time as this overall work programme.

Reason: In order to mitigate the potential loss of disabled parking in the city, ensuring a safe city centre which is as accessible as possible to all.

(v) That Officers be instructed to engage and work with York BID and traders’ representatives to minimise the impact on the operation of local businesses within the city centre.

Reason: In order to mitigate the potential issues relating to deliveries and servicing local businesses within the city centre.

(vii) That subject to Council approving the funding recommended in Minute 129, approval be given to start the procurement of external contractor support to bring in the expertise and resources to deliver this scheme, with detailed proposals to be brought to the Executive Member for Transport & Planning.

Reason: In view of the limited resources, and lack of relevant expertise in this field, within the council.

(viii) That the use of any temporary measures to limit vehicle access be continued where appropriate.

Reason: To continue to provide a flexible and responsive approach to public safety within the city.

Recommended: That the Built Environment Fund allocation (£1.187m) set aside in the Capital Programme to develop a business case for Public Realm improvements be used to fund the delivery of initial proposed access restrictions.

Reason: To provide the necessary financial resource to enable the scheme to be progressed.

[See also under Part B Minutes]

The Assistant Director of Transport, Highways and Environment, presented a report which set out an approach to developing proposals to ensure safety in York, through a review of transport access into the city centre and areas adjacent to the Minster and York Racecourse.

Keeping residents and visitors safe was a key role and priority for the council, and crucial to protecting the city’s economy. Against the background of the national CONTEST strategy aimed at reducing the risk of terrorism, the police had advised a review of Traffic Regulation Orders, and of physical measures in place, to prevent vehicles from accessing areas of significant footfall. The council would engage with key partners to identify areas requiring more detailed work and to mitigate any adverse effects.

The aim was to develop the proposals in a sensitive way, respecting the historic value of York’s built environment, and mitigating the impact of the changes on disabled access and traders in particular. Delegated authority was sought to move the proposals forward, in view of the need for speedy delivery of this work. It was proposed that funding be from the Built Environment Fund, supported by partner and other council funds as required.

Members broadly welcomed the proposals, highlighting the need to keep all affected groups informed as the work moved forward.