Agenda and minutes

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Items
No. Item

9.

Members' Code of Conduct - Declarations of Interest

Members of the Committee are asked to declare any disclosable pecuniary and non pecuniary interests, in connection with any items on the agenda and state the nature of the interest.

 

Minutes:

Members of the Committee were asked to declare any disclosable pecuniary or non pecuniary interests, in connection with any items on the agenda and to state the nature of the interest.

 

No such declarations were made.

 

10.

DEVONSHIRE PLACE, CLAUGHTON - PROPOSED TRAFFIC CALMING SCHEME pdf icon PDF 168 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

A report by the Head of Environment considered objections submitted against the proposal to introduce traffic calming features along with a 20mph Traffic Regulation Order in Devonshire Place Area, Claughton.

 

Members heard from the Highways Team Leader that on 1 December 2010, Planning Committee considered an application for the re-development of Birkenhead High School (minute no.122 refers). Members were informed that the application was approved subject to a number of conditions including the ‘provision of speed reduction measures in Devonshire Place and Manor Hill, between Egerton Road and Palm Grove’.

 

In addition, it was reported that on 28 May 2015, Birkenhead Constituency Committee allocated £10,000 from the 2014/15 Integrated Transport Block Capital Programme to implement traffic calming measures around Birkenhead High School Academy, impacting also on St Anselm’s College and Red Court School.

 

Members were then advised that the consultation period for the proposed scheme was held from 11 May 2016 to 3 June 2016 and letters providing details of the proposals were delivered to 365 affected properties. Party Spokespersons and Ward Councillors for Claughton and Oxton Wards were also informed. In addition, a public meeting was also held and attended by approximately 50 residents, two Claughton Ward Councillors and two Council Officers.

 

It was reported that following the formal consultation exercise, 43 responses were received of which 23 objected to the construction of road humps and 14 objected to the 20mph Traffic Regulation Order. 20 responses were received supporting the proposals to construct road humps whilst 29 supported the proposed 20mph Traffic Regulation Order. A summary of objections were included within Appendix 2 of the report.

 

Officers responded to questions from Members

 

It was agreed by the Chair that residents present in objection to the scheme would address the Committee first, followed by those residents in support.

 

Councillor D Mitchell, at this point disclosed a personal interest by virtue of him being acquainted with one of the Objectors.

 

An Objector addressed the Panel to express concerns regarding the implementation of speed humps, and the potential for accidents to occur due to increased stop/start traffic. Members heard how it was the contention of the objector that speed of traffic did not pose an issue within this area and therefore residents would not benefit from traffic calming measures. The Objector also raised questions regarding the validity of data collected by Officers.

 

The Highways Team Leader informed the Panel that Officers aim to collect a representative sample of data during every traffic survey.

A second Objector then addressed the Panel to address ongoing issues with volumes of traffic within the area due to there being three schools within the immediate area. Concerns were raised regarding the traffic survey having been conducted during the middle of the day when traffic from schools was minimal.

 

A third Objector addressed the Panel and spoke of concerns regarding the implementation of speed humps and how it was her belief that speed humps in the area would exacerbate the congestion in the area, particularly during the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.