Agenda item

Milton Road: Bus, Cycling and Walking Improvements - Final Design

Minutes:

Councillor Jocelynne Scutt, Char of the Milton Road Local Liaison Forum (LLF) was invited to present feedback from the LLF meeting held on 18th February 2019. She explained that the LLF had agreed two resolutions, which were that:

1.    The LLF requested that a biodiversity strategy for Milton Road be presented to the GCP Joint Assembly and Executive Board, along with a detailed design.

2.    The LLF sought assurance that any subsequent substantial changes to the Milton Road scheme be presented to the LLF to review and scrutinise, before they were presented to the GCP Joint Assembly and Executive Board.

 

Councillor Scutt made the following additional points:

·         The LLF was concerned about biodiversity and its incorporation into all of the GCP schemes.

·         The LLF and Milton Road residents were appreciative of being involved throughout the development of the Milton Road scheme and, while they were happy with it, the following concerns remained:

o   Concerns regarding parts of the footpath that were dual use. The LLF had been assured that there had been a safety audit and acknowledged that the dual use section had been shortened.

o   Concern regarding floating bus stops. Assurance had been provided that there would be a slight raising of the cycleway and textured surfaces would be installed on the approach to floating bus stops, so that cyclists were aware they were approaching a floating bus stop.

o   Concern regarding parking at the Mitchams Corner shops, which was still needed.

o   They wanted to retain the potential for trees that was already built into the scheme.

o   Concerns about the Gilbert Road intersection and where cyclists turned left into Milton Road where there was the potential for collisions with pedestrians waiting to cross the road.

o   Concern regarding the bus lanes and their length, though it was acknowledged that the scheme had to conform to the principles on which the funding had been granted.

·         Councillor Scutt highlighted the following positive outcomes:

o   That good discussions were taking place between shop owners and GCP officers.

o   That Woodhead Drive would be an avenue of trees; it was hoped this would help with the current problem with coach parking.

o   That Milton Road would have an avenue of trees.

·         Councillor Scutt highlighted that residents wanted bus stops where there were bus lanes, so that the bus lanes were of benefit to the residents of the area through which they passed. Residents wanted buses to stop more regularly along Milton Road; this should be discussed with the bus operators.

·         Residents were determined that public art was needed along Milton Road and asked that the Joint Assembly emphasise this to the Executive Board and for an indicative budget for this to be set.

·         There needed to be a mitigation for residents parking being removed from Milton Road. This was a concern to Milton Road residents and residents of surrounding areas, which may be impacted by the removal of this parking. Councillor Scutt requested that a meeting or workshop be arranged between the relevant councillors and GCP officers, to discuss how mitigation might be implemented in this area.

 

Public questions were invited from Sarah Langford, Maureen Mace, Barbara Taylor, Erik de Visser and Michael Page. As Sarah Langford was unable to attend to ask her question in person, the Chairman summarised this. The questions and a summary of the responses are provided at Appendix A of the minutes.

 

The Transport Director presented the report which set out the final design for Milton Road, which included modifications to the previously approved design following public consultation feedback.

 

Councillor Bick congratulated residents and other groups for their contribution to the design of the scheme. He also congratulated officers for trying to create a scheme that worked for everyone’s benefit.

 

Councillor Kavanagh drew the Joint Assembly’s attention to the diagram of the Elizabeth Way roundabout and cautioned against the use of any high foliage on roundabouts as it was important that cyclists, on entering a roundabout, could see the other side. He requested that when landscaping was done, the trees were kept low or taken away. He suggested this be discussed with the Highways Safety Team. In response to this the Transport Director highlighted that a balance was needed in the design of roundabouts to facilitate the control of speed; having a clear view across roundabouts could encourage speeding by drivers.

 

The Joint Assembly was informed that there would be engagement on the Milton Road construction plan.

 

Joint Assembly members indicated their support for public art along Milton Road. GCP officers were committed to continuing discussions with local residents regarding this.

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