Agenda item

The Corporate Director of Place to present a report which sets out the results of consultations on an 18 month Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO) in The Groves, along with an assessment of the impacts of the ETRO, and asks Executive to make a permanent decision about the Low Traffic Neighbourhood and the adoption of the Groves Community Plan.

Note: the background papers to the above report have been published online with this agenda.

Having noted the comments made under Public Participation on this item, it was

Resolved:  (i)      That the Chief Operating Officer (COO) approve making the ETRO permanent, with the following changes to the scheme as set out in the report:

·        changing the closure points to use bollards and signage improvements in and around The Groves;

·        making permanent the changes that were made to a small number of parking spaces, which were removed or relocated to make room for turning points at the closures, and merging the existing resident parking zones permanently.

Reason:     To provide quality alternative sustainable modes of transport in order to encourage behavioural change and maximise the use of walking, cycling and public transport and continue improving road safety; minimise the emission of harmful pollutants and traffic danger within the Groves; enhance public streets and spaces to improve the quality of life; minimise the impact of motorised traffic and encourage economic, social and cultural activity.

                   (ii)      That the COO be recommended to ask officers to continue to monitor and review the impacts of the scheme and (as part of LTP4), consider further mitigations to be identified where required.

Reason:     In line with Transport objectives, both existing LTP3 objectives and emerging LTP4 objectives and as is normal practice for newly established Low Traffic Neighbourhood schemes.

                   (iii)     That the COO be recommended to delegate authority to the Director of Environment, Planning & Transport, in consultation with the Executive Member for Transport, to sign off the detailed design for the permanent closure points (bollard type and exact locations), and approve any further small changes to parking, signing and lining required to make the arrangements permanent.

Reason:     To enable the closure points to be designed for the permanent scheme, with adequate signage for highway users within and around the Groves.

                   (iv)    That the Groves Community Plan be noted as the outcome of the community consultation and that the COO be recommended to ask officers to explore options and opportunities for external funding to bring forward objectives identified in the Plan.

Reason:     To improve the Groves area and deliver the benefits identified by the Groves Community Plan.

The Director of Housing, Economy & Regeneration presented a report which set out the results of consultations on an 18 month Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO) in The Groves, along with an assessment of the impacts of the ETRO, and asked Executive make a permanent decision about the Low Traffic Neighbourhood and the adoption of The Groves Community Plan.

The Groves was an area that had long experienced problems with through traffic.  Community engagement had led to the development of the Community Plan at Annex 2 to the report, which aimed to improve residents’ health and wellbeing, including improvements to streets.  York’s Local Transport Plan also aimed to reduce the impact of traffic on public spaces.  The Executive Member for Transport had approved the ETRO in June 2020 and the trial had commenced that September.  Matters raised during consultation on the trial were discussed in the report.  Objections received, both before and after scheme adjustments in November 2020, were contained in Annexes B, C and D.  Details of support for the trial were provided in Annex F.

Four options were available, as detailed in paragraphs 55-61 of the report and summarised below:

Option 1 – conclude the experiment and return the road network to how it used to be.  Not recommended, as it would not meet the objectives in the Local Transport Plan and Community Plan.

Option 2 – return the road network to how it used to be temporarily while an alternative scheme is developed.  Not recommended due to the time and costs involved.

Option 3 – approve making the ETRO permanent with changes to the scheme and parking within The Groves, as set out in the report. This was the recommended option.

Option 4 – as Option 3, but without closing St John Street and St John’s Crescent.  Not recommended, as it would risk creating another cut through route, with implications for safety.

Members welcomed the proposals and the benefits they would bring in promoting active travel.  In response to comments made under Public Participation and the written comments received, officers confirmed that the ambulance service no longer objected to the scheme.

Resolved:  (i)      That the Chief Operating Officer (COO) approve Option 3, making the ETRO permanent with the following changes to the scheme as set out in the report:

·        changing the closure points to use bollards and signage improvements in and around The Groves;

·        making permanent the changes that were made to a small number of parking spaces, which were removed or relocated to make room for turning points at the closures, and merging the existing resident parking zones permanently.

Reason:     To provide quality alternative sustainable modes of transport in order to encourage behavioural change and maximise the use of walking, cycling and public transport and continue improving road safety; minimise the emission of harmful pollutants and traffic danger within the Groves; enhance public streets and spaces to improve the quality of life; minimise the impact of motorised traffic and encourage economic, social and cultural activity.

                   (ii)      That the COO be recommended to ask officers to continue to monitor and review the impacts of the scheme and (as part of LTP4), consider further mitigations to be identified where required.

Reason:     In line with Transport objectives, both existing LTP3 objectives and emerging LTP4 objectives and as is normal practice for newly established Low Traffic Neighbourhood schemes.

                   (iii)     That the COO be recommended to delegate authority to the Director of Environment, Planning & Transport, in consultation with the Executive Member for Transport, to sign off the detailed design for the permanent closure points (bollard type and exact locations), and approve any further small changes to parking, signing and lining required to make the arrangements permanent.

Reason:     To enable the closure points to be designed for the permanent scheme, with adequate signage for highway users within and around the Groves.

                   (iv)    That the Groves Community Plan be noted as the outcome of the community consultation and that the COO be recommended to ask officers to explore options and opportunities for external funding to bring forward objectives identified in the Plan.

Reason:     To improve the Groves area and deliver the benefits identified by the Groves Community Plan.