Issue - items at meetings - Seven Dials Improvement Project - Consultation Results and Way Forward

Report of the Strategic Director, Place (copy attached).

1.         That the Transport Committee notes the results of the public consultation exercise.

2.      That, having taken into account the responses received, committee authorises officers to proceed with implementation of the revised Seven Dials Improvement Scheme as outlined in Appendix 4.

3.         That the committee authorises officers to advertise a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) for changes to loading bay provision in Dyke Road.  This change is not an integral part of the scheme and therefore progression of the overall Seven Dials scheme is not dependent on this element. 

4.         That the committee agrees to monitor the impact on surrounding residential streets six months after scheme implementation, to ensure that traffic levels have not significantly increased as a direct result of the Seven Dials scheme.  If it is discovered that traffic levels in residential streets have increased significantly, then residents in those streets affected would be consulted with a view to agreeing an acceptable solution.  Funding from the 2014/15 Local Transport Plan Capital Budget would be set aside for any measures deemed necessary.

50.1         The Committee considered a report of the Strategic Director, Place that provided the outcome of the recent consultation and requested agreement for the Seven Dials Improvement Project. The report was supplemented with a presentation from the Principal Transport Planner that included current risks and hazards and a traffic model of the proposals.

50.2         The Chair relayed to the Committee that he had met the previous day with two visually impaired people to talk through concerns about the proposals. Whilst the issue was complex, he had found that some visually impaired people currently avoided traffic signal crossings at Seven Dials because they deemed them unsafe and some visually impaired people supported zebra crossings as long as they were clear and implemented properly. The Chair stated that he had made a commitment to work with those that were visually impaired throughout the implementation of the project and subsequently. This included possible financial support for “re-training” of skills.

50.3         Councillor Theobald noted he was concerned that reducing the lanes to one on Dyke Road could lead to chaos. He asked several questions regarding the placement of the loading bay southwards of Dyke Road and the possible restrictions on the large delivery vehicle that often presented an obstacle to traffic going northwards.

50.4         The Principal Transport Planner clarified that, going southward, there would be a 26 metre loading bay recessed on to the pavement. No weight-restrictions on vehicles on the southwards side were proposed as vehicles would have sufficient space to go around large vehicles.

50.5         Councillor Janio asked if problems could arise from vehicles and cyclists turning left on a smaller roundabout.

50.6         The Principal Transport Planner clarified that the roundabout was designed with cycle safety in mind and for cyclists to use the middle of the road.

50.7         Councillor Phillips stated that she was pleased Bath Street had remained one way. She asked if the large electrical box on Chatham Place would be removed as many of her residents had commented that it was an obstruction and if residents would be provided with a schedule of roadwork’s and road closures.

50.8         The Principal Transport Planner replied that as the electrical box powered the traffic signals, it would no longer be needed and removed. Furthermore, he clarified that whilst the full project schedule had not been devised as planners were awaiting approval for the project from the Committee, residents would be provided with regular updates on the works when they were in place. The Principal Transport Planner expected that there would short-term disruption compensated by long-term benefit.

50.9         Councillor Robins stated that he was encouraged and reassured that the Chair had met with blind and visually impaired people as he had been fearful of the impact of these proposals on these groups. He stated that he would appreciate regular updates as to the works and liaison with visually impaired people. Councillor Robins enquired as to the difference between a courtesy crossing and a zebra crossing.

50.10    The Principal Transport Planner replied that a courtesy crossing was often placed as a route across a road that had very little traffic. Courtesy crossings, unlike zebra crossings, did not have enforceable traffic rules and regulations.

50.11    Councillor Mitchell stated that she welcomed the revisions to the scheme. She believed people should be kept informed of works perhaps via large posters around and on the Dials. Councillor Mitchell relayed that she still had concerns regarding the removal of the railings on the roundabout and felt they should perhaps be left in the short-term as a means of adjustment. Councillor Mitchell stated that she welcomed the Chairs efforts to meet those groups affected and concerned.

50.12    Councillor West stated that he was pleased with the proposals as safety at the Dials had been getting worse over the past few years and that the proposals had support from the public and local businesses. Councillor West added that he was pleased with the introduction of zebra crossings which provided pedestrian empowerment and the removal of the barriers for the same reason. Councillor West supplement that he was glad support would be offered to those visually impaired.

50.13    Councillor Follett stated that he wished to congratulate the Principal Transport Planner and Transport officers who had conducted the project very well.

50.14    Councillor Cox stated that he identified with the safety concerns at Seven Dials as he had knocked off a motorbike on the roundabout in the past. Councillor Cox commended the Chair for his efforts in meeting with members of the blind community and listening to and addressing their concerns. He hoped that reassurance had been provided on the project. Councillor Cox asked what the Transport teams determination of traffic levels increasing significantly was.

50.15    The Principal Transport Planner clarified that this would entail a 10% increase of traffic in residential streets directly related to the implementation of the scheme.

50.16    RESOLVED-

1.         That the Transport Committee notes the results of the public consultation exercise.

2.       That, having taken into account the responses received, committee authorises officers to proceed with implementation of the revised Seven Dials Improvement Scheme as outlined in Appendix 4.

3.         That the committee authorises officers to advertise a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) for changes to loading bay provision in Dyke Road.  This change is not an integral part of the scheme and therefore progression of the overall Seven Dials scheme is not dependent on this element. 

4.         That the committee agrees to monitor the impact on surrounding residential streets six months after scheme implementation, to ensure that traffic levels have not significantly increased as a direct result of the Seven Dials scheme.  If it is discovered that traffic levels in residential streets have increased significantly, then residents in those streets affected would be consulted with a view to agreeing an acceptable solution.  Funding from the 2014/15 Local Transport Plan Capital Budget would be set aside for any measures deemed necessary.