Agenda, decisions and minutes

Members of the Council will declare any interests they may have in any item to be considered at this meeting, prior to any discussion taking place on that item.

The other registrable interests of Councillors of Devon County Council, arising from membership of City, Town or Parish Councils and other Local Authorities will automatically be recorded in the minutes: A list of county councillors who are also district, borough, city, parish or town councillors.

The Chair reminded Members they should declare any interests they may have in any item to be considered, prior to any discussion taking place on that item.

Minutes of the meeting held on 23 July 2024 (previously circulated).

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 23 July 2024 be signed as a correct record.

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 23 July 2024 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.

There was no petition presented.

Report of the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport (CET/24/76).

(Councillors L Pole and R Williams attended and spoke to this item in accordance with Standing Order 25.)

The Committee received the Report of the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport (CET/24/76), which provided an update on the Heavitree and Whipton Active Street Trial and detailed progress against the recommendations previously agreed by the Committee in June.

The report stated that the statutory consultation relating to the Trial closed on 8 May 2024 and received a total of 8,952 responses. The consultation report had now been produced and published, and was attached to the report at Appendix 1, which identified that overall there was more opposition to the scheme than support for it. Geographic analysis showed that respondents living within the Active Streets area were more likely to support the scheme than those living outside of the area.  A qualitative analysis had revealed the particular aspects of the scheme which respondents opposed and supported.

Further, monitoring of vehicular traffic, cycle and pedestrian flows was ongoing on roads within the Active Streets area and on boundary roads, with early data indicating an increase in vehicle flows on roads within the Active Streets area.

Also, work was ongoing to establish focus groups to identify future measures for the area. The schools’ focus groups had already commenced, and more focus group meetings had been scheduled for October and November.

Members questions/comments and Officer responses included:

·         The importance for focus groups to consider individuals with protected characteristics and for their feedback to be considered in the decision-making process.

·         Any proposals for focus groups should be sent to the Chair for consideration.

·         That funding options be explored for School Streets.

·         The need for good public transport and proper traffic enforcement to support sustainable travel to improve safety around schools.

·         The importance of building trust with residents and ensuring that consultation processes were transparent and evidence-based.

The Committee expressed their thanks to Officers for their work on the consultation report.

Report of the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport (CET/24/77).

RESOLVED that

     (a) the making and sealing of a permanent traffic regulation order restricting vehicular traffic to one-way westbound with advisory contra-flow cycling between Denmark Road and Fairpark Road be approved;

     (b)  the scheme shown in Appendix 1 to restrict vehicular traffic to one-way westbound with contra-flow cycling on Magdalen Road between Denmark Road and Fairpark Road, at an estimated cost of £127,000 be approved in principle;

     (c)   a bid for external grant funding for the scheme shown in Appendix 1 at an estimated cost of £127,000 be supported; and

     (d) delegated powers be given to the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport in consultation with the local County Councillor and Chair of HATOC (or Vice-Chair in the instance they are the same person), to make minor amendments to the scheme as required.

The Committee considered the Report of the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport (CET/24/77), which proposed to permanently implement a one-way restriction for vehicular traffic, and a contraflow advisory cycle lane on Magdalen Road between Denmark Road and Fairpark Road.

The proposal complemented the existing changes on Magdalen Road and future plans for the Barnfield Road route to the city centre, with pedestrians and cyclists able to benefit from reduced traffic flows in the area, and a more attractive environment, whilst still maintaining vehicular access for local businesses and residents.

Following the consultation, a total of 99 submissions had been received and one petition with 27 signatories opposing the changes.  Out of the 99 responses, 35% supported the scheme and 46% objected, with 18% of those who responded remaining neutral.

Members discussed the proposals, noting that traffic survey data would be reviewed next year.

It was MOVED by Councillor Whitton, SECONDED by Councillor Atkinson and

RESOLVED that

     (a)  the making and sealing of a permanent traffic regulation order restricting vehicular traffic to one-way westbound with advisory contra-flow cycling between Denmark Road and Fairpark Road be approved;

     (b)  the scheme shown in Appendix 1 to restrict vehicular traffic to one-way westbound with contra-flow cycling on Magdalen Road between Denmark Road and Fairpark Road, at an estimated cost of £127,000 be approved in principle;

     (c)   a bid for external grant funding for the scheme shown in Appendix 1 at an estimated cost of £127,000 be supported; and

     (d)  delegated powers be given to the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport in consultation with the local County Councillor and Chair of HATOC (or Vice-Chair in the instance they are the same person), to make minor amendments to the scheme as required.

Report of the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport (CET/24/78).

This item was adjourned to a future meeting.

Report of the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport (CET/24/79).

The Committee noted the Report of the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport (CET/24/79) and the Approach to Inclusive Design.

The report set out that the Council was committed to ensuring that its transport network enabled mobility for all and prevented barriers to opportunities.  Inclusive design was key to delivering this in practice and required that the needs of all disabled people were considered from the outset of any transport and pedestrian infrastructure.

It further stated that following the submission of a supplementary question at Full Council in February 2024, a request had been made for a written statement relating to how the Council considered inclusive design within their transport schemes, particularly relating to people with visual impairments. 

The report outlined how the Council ensured new walking and cycling infrastructure was accessible for individuals with protected characteristics and followed appropriate guidance during the design process. Impact Assessments were carried out; and the Council continued to engage with key stakeholders representing the disabled community ensuring their opinions were taken into account during design and construction of current and future projects.  The resultant decision-making process had to take into consideration a range of factors, including the inclusivity of the design and the Public Sector Equality Duty.

Discussion points included:

·         Concern at the use of ‘bubbled’ pavements, which some users found hazardous in some areas.

·         Floating bus stops were a new addition to Exeter, though they had been implemented in other parts of the country. They were designed following the latest guidance, and involved Officer/Member consultation with the RNIB and Guide Dogs.

The Chair thanked Officers for the informative presentation.

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2), Councillor Asvachin has requested that the Committee consider this matter

(In accordance with Standing Order 23(2) Councillor Asvachin had requested that the Committee consider this item.)

Councillor Asvachin asked for an update on residents’ parking in St Loyes, noting that residents had been waiting for a considerable time.  Officers confirmed that the Woodwater Lane was next on the priority list previously agreed by the committee, and that proposals were being finalised for discussion with the local member shortly.

It was agreed that Officers would arrange a Members’ briefing to discuss priority schemes after the Woodwater Lane scheme had concluded.

Verbal update of the Committee’s BUS Forum representative.  A summary of each Forum is available at Devon BUS Forum - Travel Devon

The Chair, as the Committee’s representative on the BUS Forum, would provide an update to the next meeting on the last Forum.

Report of the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport (CET/24/80).

The Committee noted the Report of the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport (CET/24/80), which detailed actions taken in respect of traffic regulation orders under delegated powers since the last meeting.

12 November 2024 (Special meeting)

4 February, 1 April, 15 July and 9 October 2025

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