PAPER B
For Decision
Committee: ENVIRONMENT AND
TRANSPORT SELECT COMMITTEE
Date: 29 MAY 2002
Title: RESULTS OF CONSULTATION ON NEWPORT
PEDESTRIANISATION
REPORT OF THE STRATEGIC DIRECTOR OF CORPORATE AND ENVIRONMENT SERVICES
SUMMARY / PURPOSE
To consider objections and representations to the Newport pedestrianisation consultation exercise and to make appropriate recommendations to the Executive.
BACKGROUND
Members will recall that at the
meeting of 17th November 2000 the Select Committee considered a
report by the Council’s transportation consultants, Mott MacDonald, on the
possible pedestrianisation of Newport High Street.
The report identified 6 possible
options :
Option 1 -
Pedestrianise High Street between Carisbrooke Road and St James Street with no
change to the network.
Option 2 -
Pedestrianise High Street between Carisbrooke Road and Holyrood Street with no
changes to the network.
Option 3 - As
option 1 with changes to the direction of one way streets and junctions.
Option 4 - As
option 2 with changes to the direction of one way streets and junctions.
Option 5 - As
option 3 with traffic management to ensure better bus access.
Option 6 - As
option 4 with traffic management to ensure better bus access.
After due consideration, the Committee
decided that options 1 and 2 should not be included in any further consultation
process and recommended that options 3, 4, 5 and 6 be the subject of a public
consultation exercise with the results to be reported back to the Select
Committee for consideration. (These are
now options A, B, C and D respectively).
CONSULTATION
The Council employed Newport based company, Marriott Design, to co-ordinate the entire consultation process, including the design, printing and distribution of leaflets; production and co-ordination of permanent and travelling exhibitions and the design of interactive web pages.
Leaflets
The leaflets, “Putting People First in Newport’s Shopping Centre”, were printed in full colour and folded out from A4 to A2 size. The leaflet outlined the principles of pedestrianisation, illustrated 4 possible options and included a freepost questionnaire and prize draw (prizes donated by Newport businesses).
The Council initially commissioned a run of 15,000 leaflets, 10,000 of which were to be distributed to all households and businesses in the central Newport area. This distribution was contracted by Marriott’s to Island firm Isle of Wight Property Weekly. Unfortunately several weeks into the consultation process the Council became aware that a number of properties in key areas had not received a leaflet. The distributor was contacted who agreed to re-deliver to these areas and to conduct a series of “spot checks” and deliver as necessary. To cover this additional delivery the Council ordered a further 5,000 leaflets (3,000 of which were given to the distributor) and extended the consultation period by 2 weeks.
An additional 1,500 leaflets were made available for distribution by the Member for Carisbrooke West, who wished to ensure that all of the outlying areas in her ward received a copy of the leaflet.
Leaflets and letters inviting comments were also sent to all Council Members, Parish and Town Councils, Schools, members of the Quality Transport Partnership, Council Officers, the media and a wide range of business, community and transport groups. Leaflets were made available at all Island libraries, all Tourist Information Offices and at every pedestrianisation exhibition – fixed and touring.
Exhibitions
Six sets of colour exhibition boards were produced – 4 of which were permanently located at County Hall, Jubilee Stores, Seaclose Offices and in the Southern Vectis travel centre (Newport bus station). The other sets were displayed on a weekly basis at the following Newport town centre locations: Marks and Spencer, Safeways, Sainsbury’s, British Home Stores, Woolworth’s, Boots, B&Q and Lord Louis Library.
Media
The pedestrianisation issue was extensively covered by the media, including 2 full colour County Press advertisements (placed by the Isle of Wight Council); County Press editorial and letters; Southern Evening Echo editorial with reproduction of maps, an interview with Isle of Wight Radio and numerous discussion items.
Public Meetings
Council Officers were invited, and attended, 3 public meetings to discuss the issue. One arranged by the Newport Forum (approx 40 attendees); Nodehill Middle School parents and local residents (approx 60 attendees) and Isle of Wight Council/Newport Forum/Isle of Wight Chamber of Commerce (over 100 attendees).
Caesars Road residents also held well attended a local meeting to which local Elected Members and others were invited.
Website
The leaflet information was re-produced in a series of interactive web pages which were attached to the Council’s website – www.iwight.com. Reference to the website was made on all printed literature and respondents were given the opportunity to comment on-line by means of a questionnaire and/or by email.
OTHER CONSULTATION AND RESPONSES
Local Conservative Member – IOW Conservative Association
Local Conservative Members circulated a separate questionnaire to an
unspecified number of households within central Newport.
The questionnaire contained five questions. One relating to car use and four scenario based questions
relating to perceived outcome of pedestrianisation. 483 responses were received.
·
The scenario based questions
gave rise to objections based upon suggested outcomes, not objections to the
pedestrianisation concept.
·
The suggested outcomes were:
permanent increase in traffic in respondents road; permanent traffic increase
in other Newport residents’ roads; 21st century redirected high
street traffic burdening 19th century streets and reduction in town
centre on-street parking;
·
The questionnaire did not
include a question directly asking respondents if they supported the principle
of pedestrianisation. It was clear from
the responses that a number of
respondents felt it to be biased and wished to support the idea, but felt that
the questionnaire was worded in such a way as to deny them opportunity to do
so. (A copy of one of these forms has
been attached for information – Appendix D)
The assumption is therefore, that if the Council is able to resolve the
concerns raised, then these objections would be overcome.
Newport Labour
Newport Labour randomly sampled 125 households in areas of Newport that
they considered directly affected by the proposals.
·
87% of respondents stated
that they were not in favour of any of the pedestrianisation schemes presented
by the Council.
·
Newport Labour have stated
that they are not against the idea of pedestrianisation, but are opposed to the
current proposed schemes as they take no account of the traffic implications
for residential streets.
Newport Labour also distributed 511 letters to households in central
Newport urging residents to take part in the Council’s formal consultation
process.
Homewight House and Crocker Street Residents
The Council received a 180 signature petition
from residents and relatives of Homewight House and Crocker Street. The petition objected to:
·
Non
delivery of leaflets (which was
subsequently addressed).
·
Increase
in traffic in Crocker Street
·
New
link road.
·
Roads
in the Crocker Street area were not designed to carry the proposed increase in
traffic.
·
Lack
of pedestrian crossings in Crocker Street
·
Where
would traffic exiting Crocker Street proceed?
·
Town
centre night crime.
Proforma Letters
63 proforma letters were received from Newport
residents objecting to the construction of the Mill Street/Foxes link road.
Trafalgar Road Petition
A 105 signature petition was received objecting
to the increase in traffic in Trafalgar Road, irrespective of any
pedestrianisation.
Note – multiple objections
Comparisons with the Council’s database suggests that a substantial
number of the above respondents have also participated in the Council’s formal
consultation process. A number of
respondents signed more than one petition/questionnaire/proforma letter. One respondent filled in four separate responses.
ANALYSIS OF RESPONSES
The following are the key results of the Isle of Wight Council’s consultation exercise. Full survey results are attached in Appendix B for Members information.
·
The Council received a total of 1233 responses from
1164 properties, including 171 individual letters and 193 digital responses
(internet/email).
Of those who expressed a preference in the
Council consultation:
·
63% supported the principle
of pedestrianisation.
·
53% of
Newport residents supported the principle of pedestrianisation.
·
62% of responses were from Newport residents.
·
82% shopped in Newport at
least once a week.
·
71% visited Newport for
leisure purposes.
·
Option B was the preferred
scheme.
CONSIDERATION OF OPTIONS
The analysis of the responses received has highlighted a number of areas
of interest, comments of support and concern.
Level of Support
·
The majority of people who
responded to the Council’s questionnaire were in favour of introducing
pedestrianisation in Newport.
General areas of concern
·
People were concerned about
the number, size and speed of vehicles currently travelling through the town
and immediate surrounding area.
·
More should be done to direct
through-traffic around the town, by using advanced signing, width and weight
restrictions.
·
Concern was raised over
pedestrian safety both within the town and nearby streets.
·
Potential loss of resident
and in town parking.
·
Access and parking for the
disabled and people with mobility problems.
·
Problems of delivery and
essential access.
·
The desire to maintain public
transport access.
A number of particular areas of concern were raised. These included:
·
Residents of Mill Street /
Caesars Road area were concerned about the possible increase in traffic brought
about by the constructing a link road from Mill Street to Foxes Way, near
Sainsbury’s. Issues included effect on
properties – structure and value.
·
Concern over the volume and
speed of traffic using Crocker Street.
·
Residents expressed concern
over the volume and speed of traffic using Trafalgar Road, width of pavements
and safety of pedestrians and children using the area and local schools.
REVISED SCHEME – FOR CONSIDERATION
The opportunity has been taken to examine the responses received and
bearing in mind that 63% of the people who responded to the Councils
questionnaire were in support of the idea, look at ways in which a scheme could
be produced which would overcome or lessen the concerns raised.
A scheme has therefore been produced which will:
Overall improvements
- Include
advanced route signing for car and heavy vehicles.
- Reduce
traffic speed – through necessary and appropriate traffic calming
measures.
- Increased
pedestrian safety measures – including widening pavements in key
locations.
- Make
best use of existing car parking through improved car park signing.
- Investigate
the provision of replacement in town car parking spaces.
Specific improvements
Caesars Road/ Mill Street
- Do
away with the need to create a link between Foxes Road and Mill Street.
- Revert
to the existing flows in Caesars Road, Drill Hall Road and northern
section of Mill Street.
- Incorporate
partial reversal of traffic flow in Mill Street which will reduce
eastbound “rat running” through Crocker Street.
Trafalgar Road
- Introduce
one way (westbound traffic) within the eastern half of Trafalgar Road, to
allow pavement widening and introduction of appropriate safety and speed
reduction features.
Mobility issues
- Allow
for parking provision for disabled and those with mobility problems as
close as possible to town centre.
(To be discussed with mobility interest groups)
- Parking
issues
Discussions are underway with regard to the release of
land for the provision of additional in-town parking spaces. It is anticipated that if agreed, this
provision will more than make up for the loss of High Street spaces.
- Increase
public transport access
Incorporate measures to improve access for buses
through the town – in line with proposals included in option D (second most
popular scheme)
- Delivery
access
It is anticipated that the pedestrianised area will be
open to traffic outside core shopping hours i.e. before 10.00am and after
6.00pm. Delivery access will be
operated in a similar way to that already in force in Cowes and Ryde and will
be introduced following discussion with representatives from the freight
industry.
Details of the scheme
Details of the revised scheme including length of pedestrianised area,
revised traffic flows, and proposed bus access routes are included on the map
attached. An analysis of how the revisions help address the concerns raised, is
included in Appendix A.
Human Rights Act
In placing this paper before the committee
consideration has been given to the rights set out in Article 8 (right to
respect for private and family life) and Article 1 of the First Protocol (right
to peaceful enjoyment of possessions) of the European Convention on Human
Rights.
The impact
that these schemes might have on the owners/occupiers of other property in the
area and other third parties has been carefully considered. Whilst
It is not
anticipated that there will be any interference with the rights of these people
there nevertheless needs to be a balance between the Council's aim to improve
the economic well being of Newport town centre and public safety within the
town. Insofar as there is an interference with the rights of others it is
considered necessary for the protection of the rights and freedoms of the
community as a whole. It is also considered that such an action is proportional
to the legitimate aim and in the public interest.
Crime and
Disorder Act
The Council has consulted David Gledhill, Isle of Wight Crime and
Disorder Facilitator and Architectural Liaison Officer, with regard to the
reduction of crime through design. He
would be interested to see the details of any scheme, in particular the layout
of street furniture, carriageway/pavement treatment and times of closure during
shopping hours. It is intended that any
scheme will increase pedestrian safety and deter crime and disorder. The details of any scheme will be developed
in conjunction with the crime and disorder team.
OPTIONS
- To
examine the results of the consultation exercise, consider the revised
scheme outlined above and illustrated on the map attached and recommend
that the proposals for pedestrianisation go to the Executive for approval.
- Consider
further amendments prior to consideration by the Executive.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
The Council has set aside Ł1.1million for the
improvement of traffic and pedestrian facilities/ infrastructure within the
town and surrounding area. It is
recognised that improvements will be required to the existing infrastructure
irrespective of whether a pedestrianisation scheme is progressed or not.
RECOMMENDATIONS
That option 1 above is agreed
BACKGROUND PAPERS
Minutes & Agenda of Environment &
Transport Select Committee November 2000
Unitary Development Plan - Policy TR14 identifies the
opportunities for pedestrianisation and town centre management schemes.
The Local Transport Plan 2001-2006 - Paragraphs E1.1.1 and
E1.3 highlight the current highway issues experienced in Newport and the
possibilities to reduce the level of traffic passing through the town centre
and improvements to the shopping environment.
Local Transport Plan - Annual Progress Report July 2001, F3
page 30 and G13 page 87, give an update on development of proposals to
pedestrianise sections of Newport High Street.
Contact Point: Chris Wells, Highways and
Transportation ☎ 823777
M J A FISHER
Strategic Director of
Corporate and Environment Services
APPENDIX A
