Agenda and draft minutes

Items
No. Item

1.

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 panel were asked whether they had any personal or prejudicial interests in connection with any item on the agenda and, if so, to declare them and state the nature of the interest.

 

No such declarations were made.

2.

PROPOSED ACCESSIBILITY IMPROVEMENTS - LOWWOOD ROAD BIRKENHEAD pdf icon PDF 89 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

A report by the Interim Director of Highways and Streetscene considered objections submitted against the proposal to introduce a scheme of proposed accessibility improvements on Lowood Road and Circular Road, Birkenhead.

 

The report recommended that the Highways and Traffic Representation Panel note the levels of objection and support received and the Officers’ responses; and

 

Recommend to the Business Overview and Scrutiny Committee that the proposals as shown on attached drawing no. DC/0334/100 are withdrawn due to significant levels of concern raised by Merseyside Police and supported by Wirral Council’s Road Safety Manager.

 

Members were made aware of the consultation period which took place in November 2018. Members were told the results of this consultation period garnered a negative opinion towards the scheme from Merseyside Police. Merseyside Police believe the scheme will encourage a conflict between road users and pedestrians, as the pavement is too narrow to accommodate pedestrians safely. Members were informed that there would be little to no benefit from the scheme compared to the negative impact it would have. Members noted the concerns of local residents and heard a summary of their letters of objection and support. Members were told of the total cost for the proposed scheme which was £26,000. An Equality Impact Assessment was carried out which found the scheme will not generate any additional traffic.

 

A Ward Councillor addressed the panel.

 

Councillor Pat Cleary voiced the views of the residents of Circular Road. Councillor Cleary requested that it be raised at Business Overview and Scrutiny Committee; that members should have more training before putting forward proposals such as this, which may cause a divide between residents, specifically requesting they seek further involvement and opinions from outside bodies such as Merseyside Police before going forward with proposals.

 

Resolved - That:

 

(1)  the Highway and Traffic Representation Panel note the report and objections received and;

 

(2)  the proposed scheme of accessibility improvements on Lowood Road and Circular Road Birkenhead as set out in the report should not be implemented.