Agenda item

At this point in the meeting, members of the public who have registered to speak can do so. The deadline for registering is 5.00pm on Friday 19 June 2020.  Members of the public can speak on agenda items or matters within the Executive Member’s remit.

To register to speak please contact Democratic Services, on the details at the foot of the agenda. You will then be advised on the procedures for dialling into the remote meeting.

Webcasting of Remote Public Meetings

Please note that, subject to available resources, this remote public meeting will be webcast including any registered public speakers who have given their permission. The remote public meeting can be viewed live and on demand at www.york.gov.uk/webcasts.

During the coronavirus pandemic, we've made some changes to the way we run council meetings. See our coronavirus updates (www.york.gov.uk/COVIDDemocracy) for more information on meetings and decisions.

It was reported that there had been 7 registrations to speak at the meeting under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme and a number of written representations had also been received.

All the registered speakers spoke on agenda item 5, The Groves Area Experimental Traffic Regulation Order and they addressed the Executive Member when he considered that agenda item.

Brian Houghton the Chair of Trustees of Door 84 Youth and Community Centre spoke in objection to the proposal. He highlighted the affects the experiment would have on their business and all the services they offered. He addressed various concerns with the proposals, including transport and access difficulties. He confirmed that they had eight different building user organisations on the premises and their own club and the impact would be felt by all.

Hilary Platt from Bell Farm Community Association lodged their disagreement with the current road closures planned and she questioned why surrounding areas that would be impacted adversely by the road closures had not been included in the consultation. She noted that the experiment would increase traffic along Dodsworth Avenue, Huntington Road and Haxby Road and she highlighted some residents concerns, including the impact on emergency vehicles accessing the hospital.

Ann Stacey, Chair of The Groves Association spoke in support of the experiment. She confirmed that these proposals had emerged from a series of consultations with residents. She addressed the current speed and volume of traffic in the area, which caused high pollution levels and she highlighted the health and wellbeing benefits the experiment would bring for residents.

Darryl Martin and his son, local residents, spoke in support of the experiment. They expressed their concerns regarding the volume of traffic around Park Grove Primary School and how some drivers ignored the no entry sign at the junction on Park Grove that connected it to Brownlow Street and Neville Terrace.

Chris Thorpe, a local resident, spoke in support of the proposed traffic experiment. He addressed the volume and speed of traffic passing along the residential streets and he recognised the inconvenience that some drivers would encounter as a result of the proposed changes but felt that the importance of residents’ welfare, mental health and quality of life must be recognised and acknowledged when balanced against slightly longer vehicle journeys.

Carrie Coltart a local resident spoke in support to the proposals and raised her concerns regarding the current traffic levels in the area. She confirmed that during the pandemic traffic levels had reduced in the Groves making it a much more pleasant place to live. She felt the experiment would improve school drop off and collection and would allow an improved play environment for pupils.

Cllr Craghill, Ward Member, confirmed she was speaking on behalf of all three Guildhall Ward Councillors to express their support to improve the street environment in the Groves.  She confirmed the experiment would improve air quality, road safety and support more walking, cycling and community activity. She acknowledged that this proposal had arisen from a long process of community engagement. 

The following written representations were also received and considered regarding agenda item 5, The Groves Area Experimental Traffic Regulation Order.

Mr M Norman, a local resident, wrote in objection to the proposal. He raised concerns regarding the proposed traffic partition of streets, the loss of resident’s parking spaces, the proposed one way and two way streets in the Groves area. He felt the scheme should be delayed until further consideration was given to the practicality on the ground of the proposed/revised scheme and that traffic and pedestrian flow projections were fully established for all the roads affected.

Mr D Norman, son attends Snappy and Door 84 on Penley’s Grove Street, wrote in objection to the proposal. He highlighted his concerns regarding access changes to Door 84 and Snappy and felt the proposed experiment would make it very difficult for users with disabilities to attend.

P Feldman and G Bull, local residents, wrote in support of the proposed experiment and felt that an 18-month experimental period would allow flexibility and time to identify issues that would inevitably arise. They raised issues with the current volume and speed of the traffic through the Groves and the safety issues at the crossing to and from Groves Lane.

Mr and Mrs Euesden, local residents, confirmed they remained strongly in favour of the proposed scheme, which they felt would bring many benefits to the community as a whole. They were satisfied that the concerns of the residents of St John’s Street had been considered and addressed.