Agenda item
Report of the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport (CET/23/36), attached.
(Electoral Division: Newton Abbot North)
Decision:
It was MOVED by Councillor Bullivant and SECONDED by Councillor Connett and
RESOLVED:
(a) that the making and sealing of the Traffic Regulation Orders introducing a 20mph zone, restricting vehicular traffic and amending waiting, parking and loading in the Queen Street Area, Newton Abbot, as shown in Appendix 1 of Report (CET/23/36) be approved; and
(b) that the relaxation of the aforementioned Traffic Regulation Orders to provide an additional loading bay at the western end of Queen Street, Newton Abbot, as shown indicatively in Appendix 2 of Report (CET/23/36) be approved.
Minutes:
(District and/or Town Councillors A Hall, M Ryan, M Joyce and J Taylor attended in accordance with SO25(2) and spoke against this matter, expressing concerns around public consultation and the scheme details).
The Committee considered the report of the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport (CET/23/36), seeking approval to make and seal the associated Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) to enable the scheme to be recommended for construction at the Cabinet’s meeting in July 2023.
The Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transportexplained the nature of the TROs following this Committee’s previous consideration and support for the enhancement scheme. Officers advised of their particular attention to an open, transparent and extensive consultation during the last three years of engagement, resulting in the proportionally low number of representations made at the TRO advertisement consultation for this type of scheme. This included the minor relaxation of proposed loading restrictions, through the provision of an additional loading bay, as a result of working directly with objectors and still ensuring proposals remained transformational. A number of other scheme amendments had been made as a result of consultation. Devon County Council had worked in close partnership with Teignbridge District Council, as well as engagement with other stakeholders.
The scheme aimed to make Queen Street a more attractive, safe and healthy environment for visitors and businesses, by reducing the dominance of vehicles and rebalancing use by all user groups, with more space for pedestrians to enjoy and access shops and services with improved accessibility for all (including for those with mobility issues).
The strategic opportunities and benefits afforded by the scheme were considered to significantly outweigh the impacts of removing a proportion of on-street parking and vehicle access. The proposed scheme was highly regarded by Government, having been selected nationally for significant Government funding.
The local County Councillor supported the Report’s proposals and advised that from his engagement with the town over the last couple of years, the clear message received was that the town centre looked “tired” in some areas. For the town to survive and thrive in the future and to meet the aspirations of it being the premier market town in Teignbridge, investment was needed. He recognised the amendments made following consultation concerns around the number and proximity of parking spaces and concerns of shopkeepers and other users. It was important to progress the enhancement, notwithstanding some trade off for the overall benefits of the scheme.
Other Committee Members in supporting the scheme referred to the comprehensive 60 page consultation report to help understand and consider community views, the common theme being that the town centre needed a lift to future proof it in the changing retail world and broader use of town centres. To do nothing was not in the best interests of its sustainability.
The other remaining Newton Abbot County Councillor did not support the current scheme due to her concerns around public consultation and the views of stakeholders and others she had received. Whilst believing there should be a scheme for Newton Abbot she could not support this one. Businesses were struggling and she did not believe this would help them.
The Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport confirmed that Member comments and suggestions raised in the discussion today could be further considered by Officers as minor amendments to the scheme or future scheme phases and were not part of today’s decision in relation to the TROs. These included (not an exhaustive list):- a night time safety review; vehicular signage around the town; the junction with the Avenue; emphasis on close parking for blue badge holders and others with mobility/access issues.
They also reassured Members there would be a review of the scheme’s operation around 12-18 months after implementation in case any amendments were required.
It was MOVED by Councillor Bullivant and SECONDED by Councillor Connett and
RESOLVED:
(a) that the making and sealing of the Traffic Regulation Orders introducing a 20mph zone, restricting vehicular traffic and amending waiting, parking and loading in the Queen Street Area, Newton Abbot, as shown in Appendix 1 of Report (CET/23/36) be approved; and
(b) that the relaxation of the aforementioned Traffic Regulation Orders to provide an additional loading bay at the western end of Queen Street, Newton Abbot, as shown indicatively in Appendix 2 of Report (CET/23/36) be approved.
Supporting documents:
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