Agenda, decisions and minutes

Minutes of the meeting held on 24 July 2023 (previously circulated).

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 24 July 2023 be signed as a correct record.

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 24 July 2023 be signed as a correct record.

Items which in the opinion of the Chairman should be considered at the meeting as matters of urgency.

There was no matter raised as a matter of urgency.

[An item to be taken under s18 of the Traffic Management Act 2004 relating to any reviews of parking policy sought in line with the Council’s Petition Scheme.]

The Chair was presented with a petition by Mrs L Clarke against the implementation of low traffic networks and road closures in Exeter.  The Chair indicated that the relevant Head of Service would be asked to respond directly to the petitioner on the issues raised within 15 days.

Report of the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport (CET/23/80).

The Chair exercised his discretion to allow oral representations from nominated members of the public as follows:

·         Ian Frankum (representing those against the Trial);

·         Professor Richard Betts (representing those in support of the Trial);

·         Marilyn Lant (representing the views of the blind against the Trial); and

·         Nanna Teeg (representing the views of the disabled community against the Trial).

Councillors P Holland, A Sheridan and A Jobson from Exeter City Council also attended in accordance with Standing Order 25 to speak against the Trial Scheme.

The Committee noted the Report of the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport (CET/23/80), which provided an update on the Active Streets Heavitree and Whipton Trial Scheme.

The trial scheme had been approved by the Committee on 20 June 2023 and had been implemented through Experimental Traffic Regulation Orders (ETRO)s, which came into force on 3 August 2023.

Since the commencement of the trial, the Council had been receiving feedback on the changes through several channels, including:

-       Responses to the Statutory Consultation relating to the ETROs

-       Other emails, letters and telephone calls

-       Public exhibitions

-       Engagement with stakeholders, such as emergency services and taxi operators.

A key emerging theme among feedback received had been concern around impacts of the trial scheme on taxi and private hire vehicle operations (PHV).  Feedback had indicated that the trial scheme had made some taxi/PHV journeys longer, increasing passenger costs, many of whom were reliant on taxis, used bus services or drove for health reasons, shopping and education needs.

In light of public and stakeholder concerns, a delegated decision had been made (in accordance with *Minute103 of the 20 June 2023 committee meeting) to modify the ETROs for the trial scheme to exempt taxis and PHVs from the bus gate restrictions, to enable more direct access for taxis and PHVs to locations within the scheme area. It was hoped to implement these changes from 9 November 2023. 

For consistency, a separate ETRO would be implemented to exempt taxis and PHVs from the bus gate restrictions on Wonford Road, for which a statutory consultation would also be undertaken to last for six months from the date of implementation (unless subsequently modified). The implementation date for this change might be slightly later than the Active Streets modifications.

Further, the Council were working with Exeter City Council on the installation of air quality sensors around the Trial boundary roads and looked forward to seeing the results when in situ.

Questions and discussion points with Members and Officers included:

·       Exempting blue badge holders to use the bus gates was not currently supported because blue badges were not vehicle specific and would be difficult to enforce. Currently, moving traffic offences were only enforceable by the Police, but a change in the law could give local authorities the ability to enforce these offences in the future.

·       Bus gate compliance – officers confirmed that monitoring would continue throughout the statutory consultation and further information on this would be included in an update to the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 123.

Committee representative to provide an update.

The Committee’s representative on the BUS Forum provided a verbal update of the meeting held on 12 October 2023.  (The summary notes of that Forum are attached to these minutes.)

Of particular highlight was the following:

·       The £2 bus fare scheme would be extended to December 2024.

·        £129m of funding for Zero Emission Buses had been announced, including £25m ringfenced for rural schemes and the Council hoped to submit a bid for an allocation of this funding.

·       There was to be a new commuter service between Budleigh and Exeter starting January 2024.

The Chair reported that, as requested at the last meeting, he had again written to Stagecoach requesting their attendance at Committee, but had not received a response.

Members were reminded to email Councillor Whitton with any questions they wished raised at the next BUS Forum.

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2) Councillor Atkinson has asked that the Committee consider this matter.

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2), Councillor Atkinson had asked that the Committee consider this item.

Councillor Atkinson reported on the difficulty of being able to see faded white lines at zebra crossings, particularly in Dawlish Road and Church Road, Alphington and Western Way, but also in other areas of the city.

Officers confirmed that pedestrian crossing road markers did form part of the highway safety policy and were inspected on a regular basis, depending on the category of road. In addition, inspections were also carried out in response to reports from the public.

Officers confirmed that the areas mentioned would be inspected and Councillor Atkinson updated.

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2) Councillor Atkinson has asked that the Committee consider this matter.

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2), Councillor Atkinson had asked that the Committee consider this item.

Councillor Atkinson voiced concern at the disruption caused by works carried out by utility companies and how Alphington was badly impacted.

Officers stated that a co-ordinated approach did take place between utility companies and Highways on planned work, but that utility companies did have the right to carry out emergency work without prior notice.  Members could identify all planned works in their areas online through https://one.network/tm. Officers confirmed Members would continue to be sent copies of any Temporary Traffic Regulation Orders used for street works in their areas.

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2) Councillor Pearce has asked that the Committee consider this matter.

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2), Councillor Pearce had asked that the Committee consider this item.

Councillor Pearce requested an update from Officers on this scheme. 

Officers reported that works were planned to commence in February and undertook to circulate details on the construction programme and traffic management to all Members in due course. 

Report of the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport (CET/23/81).

The Committee noted the Report of the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport (CET/23/81) on actions taken in respect of traffic regulation orders under delegated powers since the last meeting.