Agenda item

Scott Tompkins, Lead Commissioner Highway Authority, Gloucestershire County Council (GCC) will attend to give a presentation followed by a Q&A session.

GCC Cabinet Member Councillor Nigel Moor, CBC Cabinet Member Development and Safety Andrew McKinlay and GCC officer Fraser Reid will be in attendance to answer any relevant questions

The Chair invited Scott Tompkins, Lead Commissioner, Highways Authority, Councillor Nigel Moore, Cabinet Member for Environment and Planning and Fraser Reid, consultant, to present their update on the Cheltenham Transport Plan.  The presentation is appended to these minutes.

Scott Tompkins talked through the presentation and highlighted the following particular points regarding phases 1-3 and the current phase 4 trial::

·         Reminded Members of the full approval process in 2015, resulting in the implementation of the phased approach to the Cheltenham Transport Plan.   Mr Tompkins  would be happy to share the report to the Lead Cabinet Member as part of the approval process.

·         Additional monitoring is taking place in locations which were being impacted

·         Data from November 2015 is being used as the baseline as this is accepted to be ‘neutral data’ as there were no particular events or school holidays.  This is using industry standard criteria for baseline data.

·         Bath Road and Oriel Road were taken out of the planned phase 2 implementation so the impact of the current trial could be analysed

·         Acknowledged that communication and signage at the start of the phase 4 trial needed to improve.

·         Key data will be the September to December term time data.  There  has also been a change to signage and increased communication about the trial.

Members raised a number of questions and comments regarding phase 4 as follows:

·         What weighting is given to peak traffic flows, not just the 24/7 traffic flow data collection.   Mr Tompkins reported that the Traffic Regulation Committee will make the decisions.

·         A Member congratulated Gloucestershire County Council on the successful implementation of phases 1-3 but that the phase 4 Boots Corner trial had not started well due to inadequate and confusing signage which affected the public relations.

·         Monitoring is critical to be able to properly and accurately assess traffic flow and air quality

·         Particular attention was drawn by Members to increased traffic flow in Ambrose Street, St James’ Square and St Georges’ Street.

The Chair invited CBC’s Head of Public Protection to respond to a number of Members’ questions and comments regarding air quality monitoring, as follows:

In response to several Members’ questions regarding the location of the air quality monitoring locations, the map showing the locations was displayed and pointed out the new air quality monitoring locations, represented by the blue triangles. 

In response to a question regarding the validity and accuracy of the air quality monitoring data, particularly given the need to monitor particulates as well as NO2 levels.  The Head of Public Protection confirmed that the air quality monitoring equipment and reporting was in accordance with Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs guidance.

A Member expressed disappointment that improving air quality was not the priority and felt that there is a lack of air quality monitoring in the most appropriate and relevant locations particularly where traffic flow is being impacted since the start of the Boots Corner trial.   The Chair asked whether the locations of the new air quality monitoring locations should now be reviewed.  The Head of Public Protection confirmed that the new air quality monitoring locations complemented existing monitoring locations and had been identified as part of traffic modelling to capture data where traffic flow was most likely to be impacted during the trial.

A member commented that they felt that funding for air quality monitoring is inadequate.

Further comments and questions were made as follows:

·         A suggestion that the air quality monitoring location in St Georges’ Road be moved as it is in a ‘set back’ and that air quality monitoring take place in Montpelier Road

·         Traffic flow and air quality monitoring was requested in the straight part of St Lukes Road as it is critical that data is captured at the narrowest point of the road.  Tim Atkins, Cheltenham Borough Council’s managing director place and growth agreed to look at this to see what can be done.

·         There are issues with accessing and leaving Rodney Road which can result in traffic backing up in the car park.  Mr Tomkins said GCC would take a look at mitigating this.

·         Can public/members continue to feed back after the end of the consultation period?  Mr Tompkins explained that the trial was an 18-month experimental traffic regulation order with a six month consultation period.  At the close of the consultation period, analysis would be done and reported to the Traffic Regulation Committee.

·         What are the fines currently being collected being invested in?  Mr Tompkins explained that there is a commitment to reinvest fines currently being collected as part of the Boots Corner trial in to Cheltenham Borough Council schemes such as cycle paths

·         Possibility of a temporary solution for the public crossing Rodney Road -  Mr Tompkins explained that he is aware of increased traffic in Rodney Road and that this will need to be addressed.

·         Possibility of partial closure of Boots Corner ie. a day/evening -  Mr Tompkins suggested that this would be very difficult to monitor, but could be looked at by the Traffic Regulation Committee.

·         Confirmation sought that affected businesses are being consulted.  Mr Tompkins reported that there is engagement with the Clarence Street/Clarence Parade traders and GCC has six questions from them, including regarding deliveries, which will be responded to.  He also reported that steps are being taken to improve the Post Office Lane ‘escape’ route, for example a Traffic Regulation Order to manage parking restrictions.  Mr Tompkins also reported that the plan is for Clarence Street/Clarence Parade to be two way following the outcome of the trial phase.   The Chair requested that GCC provide timescales for responding to the six questions.

·         The need for an holistic, realistic strategic approach to the mitigation and timescales for change.   Mr Tompkins reported that the timescales for the mitigation scheme are not yet known as it depends on the outcome of the phase 4 trial.

·         Recognition needed that we are not like other towns and cities who have undertaken similar traffic management solutions as our bus station is in town, we do not have sufficient park and ride options and a lack of cycling paths

·         Changes to traffic light timings.  Mr Tompkins reported that this is being done as much as possible.  He was very well aware of the issues on Tewkesbury Road and that traffic signals were not effectively communicating at the moment.

·         Commitment was sought that the crossing at Boots Corner will remain in place.

·         The impact on disabled drivers is a concern, with the potential need for  additional spaces for disabled drivers.

The Chair thanked Gloucestershire County Council colleagues for their presentation.