Agenda item

Report of the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport (CET/22/34), attached.

It was MOVED by Councillor Dewhirst and SECONDED by Councillor Hook 

and

RESOLVED:

(a) that the proposals shown in Appendix 1 and Appendix 2 of Report (CET/22/34) be noted and supported by this Committee, prior to approval for construction at Cabinet in due course;

*(b) that following consultation, the Traffic Regulation Orders shown in Appendix 2 of Report (CET/22/34) be advertised; and

(c) that the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport be given delegated powers, in consultation with the Chair of HATOC and the local County Councillor to make amendments to the scheme details for a preferred scheme for approval at a future meeting of Cabinet.

(With the consent of the Committee, Ms Skinner, Teignbridge District Council Green Infrastructure Officer spoke to this item)

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport (CET/22/34) on a package of proposals for pedestrian and public realm enhancements alongside traffic management changes on Queen Street, Newton Abbot. This followed extensive public consultation (May/June 2022) and sought support for the scheme proposals so that the associated Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) could be advertised. Due to the cost of the scheme, any final approval of decisions for its construction were required to be taken at Cabinet, subject to the TROs being advertised and approved.

The proposals were designed to make Queen Street a more attractive, safe and healthy place for visitors and businesses, with a positive public health and wellbeing impact. The improvements to the pedestrian environment, with reduced dominance of vehicles, aimed to be safe and welcoming, with more spaces for pedestrians to enjoy and access shops and services, with improved accessibility for all, cleaner air and less pollution.

Since the Committee’s last meeting March 2022, the project had been amended with enhanced greening, as well as the extent of the scheme had been reduced to focus on the western end of Queen Street due to updated scheme costs. 

The report also summarised the public consultation outcomes demonstrating support for public realm enhancement of the area, notwithstanding a mixed response to vehicle access changes and opposition to parking changes (caveated by respondents’ use of parking).  Whilst there was not enough highway width to retain all on-street parking and existing vehicle access, the transport assessment suggested the parking reduction could be accommodated.

Teignbridge District Council’s Green Infrastructure Officer reported on Teignbridge’s support and close partnership working with the County Council on this project, since securing government Future High Street Fund (FHSF) allocations in May 2021.

The local County Councillor referred to the extensive consultation and individual discussions with Queen Street businesses. Whilst for example wider pavements and enhanced greening/seating would result in some loss of on street parking, enhancement and investment in the town centre was to be encouraged to make Newton Abbot a more welcoming place, adapting to change and future needs.        

Members supported the scheme overall to benefit Newton Abbot, whilst acknowledging the vehicle access/changes section of the consultation responses. The DALC Member suggested that the detailed consultation responses could indicate more of a neutral/mixed response than indicated in the Report, however Officers assured Members of the consultation objectivity and transparency. 

It was MOVED by Councillor Dewhirst and SECONDED by Councillor Hook 

and

RESOLVED:

(a) that the proposals shown in Appendix 1 and Appendix 2 of Report (CET/22/34) be noted and supported by this Committee, prior to approval for construction at Cabinet in due course;

*(b) that following consultation, the Traffic Regulation Orders shown in Appendix 2 of Report (CET/22/34) be advertised; and

(c) that the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport be given delegated powers, in consultation with the Chair of HATOC and the local County Councillor to make amendments to the scheme details for a preferred scheme for approval at a future meeting of Cabinet.