Agenda item

The Executive Member to consider a report to approve the proposed junction alterations.

Resolved:

(i) That Option 1 – the proposed junction layout shown in drawing Annex A be approved.

(ii) That further consideration and consultation be undertaken with ward councillors particularly in relation to the central refuge point and the impact of a right turn ban and further to this, that decisions on adjustments be delegated to the Assistant Director Transport, Highways and Environment in consultation with the Executive Member.

Reasons:

· This option achieves the core aim of replacing the life-expired traffic signal asset such that it can continue be operated and repaired economically.

· This option has no negative impact on junction capacity. Any option which reduces junction capacity would have a cumulative effect on congestion in this area if the proposed experimental Traffic Regulation Order in The Groves is implemented.

The Executive Member received the report which provided options for consideration the proposed junction alterations at Monkgate Bar. The traffic signalling equipment at this junction had life expired and had become difficult and costly to maintain, and would need to be replaced. The Traffic Signal Asset Renewal (TSAR) programme is the means by which life expired traffic signal assets across the city are refurbished. Although the programme was primarily about asset renewal, there was scope to take advantage of the opportunity to make improvements whilst refurbishing the equipment.

The options available were:

Option 1 – Approve the proposed junction layout shown in drawing

Annex A.

Option 2 – Approve the proposed junction layout as shown in

drawing Annex B.

Option 3 – Do not approve the presented options.

Representations were heard from the following registered speakers on the issues mentioned below:

Ms Janice Gray, local resident spoke on this item to highlight her concerns regarding traffic congestion as a result of these proposals and further traffic congestion at Lord Mayors Walk as traffic will no longer be able to drive through the Groves.

Mr Roger Pearce, local resident and former Councillor, spoke on behalf of Professor Tony May, Chairman of the Civic Trust Transport Group, expressing concern regarding the use of a pelican crossing and the proposed widening of the refuge points at Lord Mayor’s walk not being large enough and suggested that this scheme should be deferred for further consideration.

Councillor Craghill, spoke in favour of recommended Option 1. She considered that the current crossings on Lord Mayor’s Walk seem to work reasonably well and the proposed widening of the refuge and crossing points on Lord Mayor’s Walk and addition of the uncontrolled crossing south of the Bar would be welcome improvements.

The Transport Systems Project Manager and the Assistant Director for Transport, Highways and Environment provided the following information in response to questions from the Executive Member and in response to some of the concerns that had been raised by the registered speakers:

· Other schemes had not been considered as the need arose to address this area specifically due to the need to replace the traffic signals.

· On the pedestrian island, informal crossing a higher green man signal would also be added.

· Regarding the right turn from Lord Mayor’s Walk into Monkgate, and the possibility of removing a lane. The officer confirmed that the design had shown that this would not be viable.

· Highlighted the need to take into account any potential knock on effects whilst the changes in the Groves are in an experimental phase.

· Officers had intended that the work would be undertaken early next year, a deferral of this item would delay this project.