Portsmouth City Borough Council Cabinet Member for Traffic & Transportation Meeting

Introductions were made.  There were no apologies.

There were no declarations of interest.

The Chair considered Agenda item 5 (Rights of Way Improvement Plan) before Agenda item 4 (Southsea Transport Hub) but for ease of reference the minutes will remain in the order as per the published agenda.

Kevin McKee, Parking Operations Manager presented the report.

Denise Bastow, Parking Office Manager, read out a deputation from a local resident, objecting to the proposals.

I have received notice that a decision relating to the creation of a new disabled bay on the eastern side of Apsley Road outside Charles Clark House will be taken on 19th January.

I have been in contact with Amanda Clayton, who raised several points in defence of the proposal to create a further disabled bay in this small area.

As you know, Apsley Road has parking restrictions on match days, rendering the western side of the road unusable.  There are at present 4 disabled parking bays on the eastern side of the road, and your proposal would increase this number to 5.  This would make parking in even our licensed areas more problematic on these days than is already the case.

I  have no expectation of being able to park in front of my property, often walking a fairly long way with heavy shopping etc. to get from my car to my house; but as I say, being able to park at all within the parking zone on match days remains an issue.

While I have the utmost sympathy for those with mobility problems, it is apparent that this restriction is now even more limiting for other residents of this road.

Even if my objection has no effect, I would like the Council to consider that there is still a special problem on these roads (Apsley, Carisbrooke and Frogmore). Therefore, if I am still entitled to do so, I maintain my objection to this proposal.

Member's questions

In response to member's questions, officers clarified:

·         To qualify for a disabled parking bay, the applicant must live in Portsmouth, have no access to off street parking and there must be a car registered to that household.

·         There was no off-street parking available to the block of flats in which the resident resided.

·         The resident was already parking in Apsley Road with their blue badge - the application was not introducing another vehicle into the area.

Members agreed with the recommendations.

Decision

The Cabinet Member for Traffic & Transportation:

1.    Approved the implementation of the Disabled Persons' Parking Bay in Apsley Road (alongside Charles Clark House);

2.    Noted that the remainder of TRO 166/2022 came into operation under TRO 166A/2022 on 8 November 2022, due to no objections being received to those proposals. Therefore, any proposal approved following this report, will be brought into operation under TRO 166B/2022.

Abi Kelly, Senior Project Manager, presented the report.

She updated that the proposal sits on the boundary of St Jude's Ward and St Thomas ward and not Central Southsea as stated in the report.  A map of the area had also been produced and circulated.

Member's questions

In response to Member's questions, officers clarified:

·         The feasibility plan will consider the development of the plans and concepts and will consider funding opportunities as the scheme progressed.  This funding may be internal or external.

·         Portsmouth City Council own the land with the Crown Estates owning the seafront and the beach.  PCC will work with Hover Travel in terms of any land arrangements in the future.

·         The department will work parallel to the Coastal Partnership Scheme who are aiming to complete that part of the scheme in 2026 - 2027.    This provides a good opportunity to join forces with them for design and construction.

·         EV charging points and the nearby car park will be considered as part of the feasibility scheme.

Members' comments

Members considered this a very important project but noted the need for SMART measurable targets to be included which will provide clarity for officers, members and residents.

Members were happy for the feasibility to go ahead.

Decision

The Cabinet Member for Traffic & Transportation noted the report

Andy DiMarco, Principal Active Travel Officer, presented the report.

He noted this was the second iteration of the Plan for the city and that PCC has a statutory duty to produce a ten-year plan.

Members' Questions

In response to members' questions, officers clarified:

·         There are 103 Rights of Way in Portsmouth and the numbers on page 15 of the report within table 1, relate to these.  They are listed on the definitive map and statement on the Portsmouth City Council website.

·         A Right of Way provides a legal right to use a path either by foot or other means (this is based on the status of the Right of Way).  A Promoted Route is one which is recognised as a route and is typically created by a local authority, government agency or volunteer organisation, although they do not imply any extra status as a right of way.  Rights of Way are maintainable by the local authority whereas Promoted Routes may be maintained by another organisation or the local authority.

·         The costs within the latter part of the report (page 30 onwards) are approximate costs giving a broad range for each item. These give an indication of total cost implications for the local authority.  Extra staff requirements would be an additional charge on the Rights of Way budget each year.

There was a discussion about a proposed Transport publication due to be published in February to provide an outline to residents on the 17-year transport programme for all aspects of transport within the city such as walking routes, cycling routes and bus routes and how they connect as a whole.   

Members' comments

Members' thanked officers for a very thorough report and all were supportive of the recommendations.  Of particular note was the way the report helps influence other policies and plans with the Council.

Decision

The Cabinet Member for Traffic and Transportation:

1.    Noted the results of the  consultation held between November 2021 and February 2022;

2.    Agreed the adoption of the Portsmouth Rights of Way Improvement Plan that had been developed following the responses to the consultation as the Portsmouth Rights of Way Improvement Plan and recognised that the document forms the basis for Rights of Way Improvements for the period 2023 - 2033.