Issue - meetings

Report of the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment (PTE/19/21), seeking approval and authority to go to tender on the Western Road, Ivybridge Parking Relocation scheme, attached.

An Impact Assessment is also attached for the attention of Members at this meeting.

The Cabinet considered the Report of the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment (PTE/19/21) seeking approval and authority to go to tender on the Western Road, Ivybridge Parking Relocation scheme, circulated prior to the meeting in accordance with regulation 7(4) of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012.

Cabinet noted that Western Road in Ivybridge was the main arterial entry and egress from the town which currently suffered from congestion and was an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA).  A public consultation was held from 14 January 2019 to 3 March 2019 to consider a scheme which relocated the existing on-street car parking on Western Road, Ivybridge to alleviate these problems. 

The scheme proposal was to introduce double yellow lines where parking was removed on Western Road.  The 22 on-street car parking spaces would be relocated to the verge between Wayside and Western Road.  A footway would be provided as well as a new footway to connect to the Western Road footway.  The new spaces would be retained in the existing Ivybridge zone ‘C’ permit area. The Report further outlined the proposals for the northern footway along Western Road and Marjorie Kelly Way roundabout, zebra crossings etc which would improve the environment for pedestrians. In addition, proposals for the reduction of the new Western Road carriageway to provide the space for footway widening. A preliminary scheme plan was provided in Appendix I to the Report.

The consultation process was outlined in full and 102 questionnaires had been received showing overall support for the need to improve traffic flow along Western Road (77% agreeing with this).  A Public Consultation Report had been prepared and was available on the website. This outlined responses in terms of parking layout, the permitting and management options of parking spaces, the potential relocation of the Rose Cottage westbound bus stop and design amendments.

The overall construction cost of the proposal was estimated at approximately £450,000, however, the scheme would not commence until the package of funding had been confirmed and agreed with the County Treasurer.

The Cabinet noted that the key objective was to improve the air quality of the Western Road AQMA through improved traffic flow and increasing the attractiveness of walking and facilities for a range of other users, allowing better access to the town centre, discouraging short distance vehicle trips, reducing carbon emissions and improving air quality in the area.

The Head of Service’s Report incorporated an Impact Assessment which had been circulated for the attention of Members at this meeting https://www.devon.gov.uk/impact/western-road-ivybridge/. There were many positive impacts that the proposal would achieve such as those highlighted above, however the Impact Assessment referred to those negative impacts that may be realised such as potential increased speeds, short term traffic management issues during construction, cars parked further away from homes and the relocation of one disabled bay further away from the registered property. No unimaginable consequences had been identified.

The Report further outlined the risk management considerations  ...  view the full minutes text for item 349