Councillors and committees

Agenda item

SUSTAINABLE MOVEMENT CORRIDOR WORKS, GILL AVENUE TO GUILDFORD PARK ROAD, GUILDFORD (EXECUTIVE FUNCTION)

An update on works to create a Sustainable Movement Corridor in Guildford between Gill Avenue and Guildford Park Road.

Decision:

Decision taken under delegation by virtue of:

Scheme of Delegation Part 3 – Specific Delegation to Officers EAI16

 

Summary

Guildford Borough Council has secured Enterprise M3 Local Economic Partnership funding towards the creation of a Sustainable Movement Corridor in Guildford between Gill Avenue and Guildford Park Road. As part of the improvements, Traffic Regulation Orders for Phase 2b on Guildford Park Road are required. Online report: Item 11 https://mycouncil.surreycc.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=751&MId=7103&Ver=4

 

Decision made:

 

It was AGREED that in respect to the Phase 2b works (Waiting Restrictions):

1.       Authority is delegated to the Transport Development Planning Team to finalise and confirm a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) the effects of which will be to allow the alteration and creation of waiting restrictions along Guildford Park Road to support the proposed scheme based on the outcomes of the detailed design work which is currently being undertaken, in consultation with the Chairman, Vice Chairman and the Local Division Members.

2.       Authority is delegated to the Transport Development Planning Team to advertise in accordance with the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, the effects of which will be to allow the alteration and creation of waiting restrictions along Guildford Park Road to support the proposed scheme

3.       Any objections to the TRO should be considered and resolved by the Chairman, Vice-Chairman and the Local Divisional Member in consultation with the Transport Development Planning Team Leader (West), and that this issue only be returned to Committee if any objections prove insurmountable.

4.       The Order be made once any objections have been considered and resolved.

 

It was AGREED that in respect of the Phase 2b Works (Taxi rank Removal)

5.       A local authority can adopt areas on streets or private land as taxi ranks for either continual or part-time use under section 63 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976.  The statutory process provides that the local authority must obtain the permission of the Highways Authority, give notice to the Police, publish a public advertisement in a local paper and consider any objections or representations received within 28 days of publication before a rank is appointed.  The Council’s Executive has the authority to appoint a rank after the necessary approvals and consultation. Section 63(5) of the Act states that the power to appoint ranks includes the power to revoke such appointment and requires the same statutory process to be followed.

6.       Highways Authority approval is provided for the removal of the of the current taxi rank on Guildford Park Road, outside Guildford Station.

7.       Any objections and consultations be dealt with through the local authority process outlined in (1) above.

 

Reasons for Decision:

Recommendations (1) to (4) are made to revise the parking restrictions for the proposals. These will include changing the parking restrictions on the corner by the shops, which will mean the loss of some residents parking bays. The bus stop locations are also being more conveniently located for passengers. Recommendations (v) to (vii) are made to remove the current taxi ranks for the proposals. The rank is not well used and there are planned improvements to travel across Guildford as part of the wider Sustainable Movement Corridor which will deliver potential benefit to a greater number of customers. Directional signage within the station directs customers wishing to get a taxi to the front of the station.  Customers are still able to hail or book a taxi in advance from the back of the station. The SMC works will in their entirety provide a balanced package of works that will provide improved sustainable travel choices between Guildford Rail Station, Royal Surrey County Hospital, the Research Park and University of Surrey. Measures comprise improved pedestrian and cycle facilities, enhanced bus priority and bus stops, whilst also creating an improved highway network aimed at reducing congestion and journey time delays.

 

Decision taken by:                  Lucy Monie, Director Infrastructure and Delivery

Decision taken on:                  11 May 2020

To be implemented on:           16 May 2020

 

Alternative options considered

The Committee’s Infrastructure Task Group considered a range of schemes that could have been funded through the committee’s funding. These were assessed against a scoring criteria. The Task Group proposed the schemes to the committee through the officer report.

 

Summary of any financial implications

The schemes proposed are within the financial budget for this committee.

 

Declarations of conflicts of interest

None

 

Consultation/Process Followed

·           The Infrastructure Task Group (of members of the Joint Committee) considered all the schemes to be proposed through the officer report (link above).

·           The Joint Committee considered the recommendations at its informal meeting in January 2020

·           The Joint Committee members were further consulted through a virtual meeting (email circulation) in the preparation for the decision, following the cancellation of the scheduled meeting.

·           Following comments from a Committee member, the report was amended and recirculated for comment

 

Background Documents

 

Highways Update Report

https://mycouncil.surreycc.gov.uk/documents/s66686/Item%2013%20Highways%20update.pdf

 

Highways Update Report – Annex 1

https://mycouncil.surreycc.gov.uk/documents/s66687/Item%2013%20Highways%20update%20Annex%201.pdf

 

Highways Update Report – Annex 2

https://mycouncil.surreycc.gov.uk/documents/s66688/Item%2013%20Highways%20update%20Annex%202.pdf

 

Supporting documents: