Issue - meetings

Report of the Cabinet Member Development and Safety

The Cabinet Member Councillor Andrew McKinlay introduced the report which has been circulated with the agenda. The report explained that in November 2013, Cheltenham Borough Council (CBC) committed to further consider the Cheltenham Transport Plan (CTP) once the recommendations of Gloucestershire County Council’s (GCC’s) Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) Committee had been received. The TRO Committee met on 15 January 2015.

The Cabinet Member reminded members that they were here to debate the Council’s response to the TRO committee decision of the 15 January and not to re-examine every aspect of the proposals again. He wanted to put on record his thanks to the TRO committee for their time and diligence in considering the Cheltenham Transport Plan. Council’s role today was to advise GCC of their view on how the Cheltenham Transport Plan should proceed in light of the TRO committee decision. He referred members to the minutes of the TRO committee which had been circulated to all Members. These confirmed that the TRO had approved all aspects of the Traffic Regulation Orders it considered as permanent schemes with the exception of the closure of Boots Corner to traffic which the committee made temporary for 18 months, with a review after 10 months.

He reminded members that the debate about the Cheltenham Transport Structure had been going on for over 70 years.  The current one-way system solution was adopted in the 1960s and had never been satisfactory.  In reality a 1960s traffic solution had been grafted onto a Regency Road Network and as a result, consultation had found little support for continuing with the status quo. There had been a long public debate and consultation on how best to address the issues and the current process had started in 2000. GCC believes that the Cheltenham Transport Plan can assist in delivering a long-term sustainable future for the town. He acknowledged that some people were sceptical about the impact of the plan on neighbourhoods and had questioned the accuracy of some of the evidence used. In a scheme of this complexity it was inevitable that some adjustments would be required and these would be addressed by the county council as they were identified. In the case of the Boots Corner TRO there would be a specific review after 10 months.

The Cabinet Member went on to address a number of specific concerns which had been raised:

Equality Impact Assessment - this document had been prepared by GCC in partnership with this council and relevant groups had been consulted.

Risk Assessment – to date the risks considered by CBC have been high-level since no decision have been taken to implement the scheme.  Detailed risks would emerge from finalised designs and would be subject to safety audits by the GCC Highways Team.

Bath Road - a safety trial is currently underway following two fatal accidents with the aim of reducing speeds and increasing safety.

Reversal costs - these were covered in the letter from Scott Tompkins, Lead Commissioner  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8