Issue - meetings

[Report of the Director of Housing, Regeneration and Planning.  To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Environment, Transport, and the Climate Emergency and Deputy Leader of the Council]

The Cabinet Member for Environment, Transport and the Climate Emergency and Deputy Leader of the Council introduced the report which sought approval of the principle to implement the Bruce Grove West Green Low Traffic Neighbourhood (Bruce Grove West Green LTN) experimental scheme and a range of complementary measures including new pedestrian crossings, cycle hangars and four trial School Streets. The LTN aimed to reduce or remove non-local motor traffic from residential areas of Bruce Grove and West Green, as well as reduce the number of short trips made by vehicles which could be walked or cycled.  If approved, the proposed Bruce Grove West Green LTN would be implemented on a trial basis for a maximum of 18 months under an experimental traffic management order.

The Cabinet Member referred to the information provided in the late business addendum:

“As part of the work to prepare for the implementation of the Bruce Grove and West Green Low Traffic Neighbourhood, the Council will carry out further engagement with residents on Broadwater Farm and the surrounding streets, the Emergency Services, including the local police team and the Council’s Community Safety, Highways and Transport officers. This engagement will explore concerns including those which relate to the impact of the proposals on resident safety and crime and consideration will be given to making amendments in response.”

The Cabinet Member responded to questions from the Cabinet:

-           The implementation of a scheme like this was an unprecedented move in many ways.  A detailed and expansive engagement process had been carried out, which included a survey for disabled users, resulting in the inclusion of an exemption scheme.  This showed a good example of where officers had worked hard to make sure is the scheme was as inclusive as possible.

-           All issues raised by residents and organisations would be taken seriously.  Officers had carried out 11 months of engagement, and would look to improve engagement where possible based on lessons learned.

Cabinet Members spoke in support of the scheme and highlighted the importance ensuring the schemes were inclusive for all.

The Cabinet Member responded to questions from Councillor Cawley-Harrison:

-       One key aim of the scheme was to reduce overall volume of traffic, which would improve journey times.  There would be an exemption for special dispensations and the team would work with Childrens and Adults services to identify where exemption / dispensations were required.

RESOLVED that Cabinet

1.         Notes the responses received to the proposed Bruce Grove West Green Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN) as part of Engagement Stage 1 (Early Engagement), Engagement Stage 2 (Community Design Workshops) and Engagement Stage 3 (Public Consultation) as set out in Appendices E and K;

2.         Approves the making of an experimental traffic management order to implement the Bruce Grove West Green LTN experimental scheme, as set out on the plan in Appendix L, subject to funding, and provided that any changes to the plan in Appendix L are reported back to the Leader, Cabinet or an individual Cabinet member  ...  view the full minutes text for item 675