Agenda item

Report of the Director for Environment and Resident Services. To be introduced by Cabinet Member for Climate Action, Environment & Transport.

Consider all feedback, objections and monitoring data of the trial LTN and decide whether to make permanent the associated traffic orders.

Cllr Chandwani returned to the meeting room.

The Cabinet Member for Climate Action, Environment, and Transport introduced the report for Bounds Green LTN scheme and sought approval to make permanent the LTN Tria in Bounds Green.

The Cabinet Member further outlined that   the scheme had delivered on its objectives.

·         There had been a 66% decrease in traffic on internal roads.

·         An increase of 2% of traffic on boundary roads.

·         The trial has seen a 50% reduction in traffic collisions on internal roads and a 17% decrease in traffic collisions on boundary roads.

·         There was work in progress to improve bus reliability on Durnsford Road and a commitment from the team to address the long-standing issues on the boundary roads to include all those who rely on the roads.

·         The team had reinstated the Transport Inclusion Group to ensure that those with a disability, their carers, and those with a long-term health condition could be heard, and their suggestions then incorporated into the scheme. 

·         He stated that his team would continue to refine and improve the scheme in order to create a happier, healthier and more vibrant Bounds Green.

The following questions were raised and responded to, from Cllr Cawley – Harrison.

-       Responding on the disparity in support for the scheme, between those living within, and those living on the boundaries of the LTN and addressing their wellbeing, it was noted that ultimately traffic belonged on main roads and not on internal roads. He added that in other similar schemes, over time, the boundary roads had seen an overall decrease in traffic. In addition to this, the Council team were putting into place measures to make bus journeys along Durnsford Road the most efficient and cost-effective way to travel for residents.

-       Another question was raised around the evidence of a healthier lifestyle gathered from residents and the disparity in the overall support that residents felt. The Cabinet Member agreed that although evidence suggested that there were more people walking and cycling than before, support for the scheme in the resident consultation was not reflective of that. He pointed out that car owners had been disproportionately represented in the consultation (up to 80% had access to a car) and that this was beyond the census figures. Although, there was a disparity between the data and perceptions, the aim was to include everyone in the objectives. For this he felt that co-production was key going forward.

RESOLVED

1. To consider the measured impact of the trial LTN as set out in the Monitoring Reports, Appendix A1 and A2.

2. To consider the responses received to the non-statutory public consultations and the statutory consultation, including objections to the experimental traffic orders, as set out in the Consultation Reports, Appendix B1 to B4.

3. To approve the recommended responses to main themes of objection, as set out in Appendix C.

4. To consider and discharge the Council’s statutory duties under section 16 of the Traffic Management Act 2004 and section 122 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984.

5. To consider and discharge the Council’s statutory duties under the Equality Act 2010 including the discharge of the Public Sector Equality Duty and any impact on Human Rights and approve the updated Equality Impact Assessment, Appendix D.

6. To agree that the Council shall exercise its discretion to not cause a public inquiry to be called.

7. To approve making the trial LTN permanent.

8. To delegate authority to the Head of Highways and Parking for the making of traffic orders which give permanent effect to the experimental traffic scheme known as Bounds Green Experimental LTN.

Reasons for decision

The reason for recommendation 3.1 is to provide Cabinet with empirical evidence of the impact of the LTN.

The reason for recommendations 3.2 and 3.3 is to ensure compliance with (a) the Regulations1 whereby the order making authority must consider all unwithdrawn objections before making an order and (b) consider all consultation responses, in line with the ‘Gunning’ or ‘Sedley’ requirements. In short, this means: consultation must be at a time when proposals are still at a formative stage; Sufficient reasons must be put forward for any proposal to permit “intelligent consideration” and response; Adequate time is given for consideration and response; and the product of consultation is conscientiously taken into account by the decision maker.

Recommendation 3.4 is made to ensure that the Council discharges its duties as contained within the Traffic Management Act 2004 and the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, as discussed in the report.

Recommendation 3.5 is made to ensure that the Council discharges its statutory duties in relation to equalities and human rights, as discussed in paragraphs 10.5 to 10.16.

The reasons for recommendation 3.6 are set out in section 9.

Having taken into account all responses to all consultations, objections, the monitoring data, the Council’s existing strategic plans, statutory duties, studies on LTNs, the urgent need to respond to the Climate Emergency and to improve public health through increased active travel, the reason for recommendations 3.7 and 3.8 is to enable the Council to make the trial LTN permanent.

Alternative options considered.

At this stage of an experimental traffic order (ETO), the Council must take a decision whether to make the traffic orders permanent. No changes to the LTN scheme are permitted in moving the orders to permanent orders. Notwithstanding the above, the existing LTN design meets the principles of such a scheme by preventing through-traffic (except exempt vehicles) and whilst alternative options do exist (for example to provide all resident motorists with more routes to their street or property) this could not be achieved without undermining the objectives of the LTN; therefore, this option is not recommended.

If the Council does not make the LTN permanent, the alternative is to revoke the traffic orders (or let them lapse) and, as a consequence, the Council must remove the traffic signs that give effect to those orders and, therefore, remove the LTN. This alternative is not recommended for the reasons given in paragraph 4.6