The purpose of the report is to update Cabinet on the findings of the informal consultation with vulnerable groups and stakeholders regarding Bridgend Town Centre Access, and to seek approval to undertake statutory consultation on the proposal, and commission detailed design work as a result of that consultation.

The Corporate Director Communities reported on an update on the findings of the informal consultation with vulnerable groups and stakeholders regarding Bridgend Town Centre Access and sought approval to undertake statutory consultation on the proposal, and commission detailed design work as a result of that consultation. 

He reported that an additional consultation had been undertaken on proposals for town centre access in order to consider comments on the revised changes to re-introduce traffic to Queen Street, Dunraven Place and Market Street inclusive of a 20 mph speed limit, two pedestrian crossings, approximately 18 parking/loading bays and a series of street bollards designed to improve safety by delineating the space between pedestrians and vehicles and prevent parking on the footways.  In addition, a verbal presentation, including detailed discussions and Q&As was carried out with the groups representing vulnerable people or people with protected characteristics.  He highlighted the key findings whereby four out of the six groups did not support the scheme in the format presented to them and suggested further changes.  He stated that a formal response was also received from South Wales Police. 

He reported that all bar one of the groups commented that half an hour limited parking bays did not allow enough time for visitors including the blue badge holders to access the town centre in a meaningful way.  It was strongly felt that a minimum of an hour would be considered more appropriate.  He stated that in terms of the use of bollards to segregate the footway there was no consistent view expressed by the groups.  The incorporation of bollards came out of the feasibility stage report for reasons of public safety, more specifically the risk of cars encroaching on to the footway.  The current proposal is to place them at approximately 2 metre intervals subject to site conditions. In addition to these physical barriers it was proposed that a prohibition of waiting at any time be introduced along the highway including the painting of double yellow lines on the highway.  He also informed Cabinet that the informal consultation with the groups representing vulnerable people confirmed the need for the installation of two formal crossing points which would be located in the vicinity of the job centre and the Wyndham Arms.  He stated that it had been raised by three of the groups, that the re-introduction of vehicles could give rise to the possibility of increased air pollution in the town centre.  To mitigate this, a 20mph zone would be introduced and freight delivery companies would be encouraged to use only their cleaner vehicles in the town centre. 

The Corporate Director Communities reported that if the Council is minded to move forward with the proposal, traffic orders associated with the proposal would need to comply with the requirements of the Local Authorities Traffic Orders (Procedures)(England and Wales) Regulations 1996 and there would be a need to undertake a statutory consultation and public notice to implement the changed Traffic Order.  A letter and plan explaining the proposal would need to be issued as part of the consultation. 

He also reported that previously it had been considered that the proposals would proceed by way of an Experimental Traffic Order; however the scheme would now be progressed as a permanent traffic order.

The Cabinet Member Education and Regeneration stated that the proposals were another step forward in the process which had seen positive comments received; however the scheme which needed to be fully costed   was predicated on external funding being secured.  The Cabinet Member Communities stated that the scheme included proposals which the traders were looking for. 

The Leader in commending the scheme stated that discussions needed to take place with South Wales Police taking into consideration designing in counter terrorism measures.  The Corporate Director Communities stated that the full design proposals would be submitted to South Wales Police.

RESOLVED:           That Cabinet:

(1) Considered the key findings of the consultation authorised by the Cabinet report of 29 November 2016;

(2) Authorised officers to make the suggested changes to the proposal detailed in 4.6 and 4.7 of the report being to:

·                  increase the limited waiting bays from 30 minutes to 1 hour

·                  Introduce a no waiting at any time provision along the highway where there are no parking bays along Queen Street, Dunraven Place and Market Street

·                  At detailed design stage, the type of bollard and their spaces will be considered

(1)          Authorised the next steps outlined in section 4.12, 4.13 and 4.14 of the report to progress statutory consultation to finalise detailed design as detailed in 4.12 of the report

(4) Receives a further report upon completion of the initial phase of the statutory consultation to consider and approve a way forward.