Portsmouth City Borough Council Cabinet Member for Traffic & Transportation Meeting

There were no apologies for absence

There were no declarations of interest.

Gareth James, Future Transport Zones (FTZ) Project Manager introduced the report and outlined the next steps after the trial expires in November 2022.

Gareth explained the background to the trial which had taken place under an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO) to allow rental e-scooters to be ridden in bike and bus lanes.  The trial was not envisaged to have lasted so long but was extended in March 2022 to the end of November after the Government invited all e-scooter rental trial areas to do so.  The ETRO was due to expire on 15 September 2022 which would have resulted in a gap between 15 September and the end of November.  The department took advice on the best way forward to bridge the gap.

Deputations

Mr Malcolm Hey made a deputation against the proposal.

Deputations are not minuted but can be viewed online here:

https://livestream.com/accounts/14063785/cabinet-tt-28jul2022

Councillors questions

In response to Councillors questions the officer clarified:

·         There have been 60% fewer car journeys as a result of the E-scooter trial.  In relation to the safety aspect, there are measures in place alongside the quality of the VOI scooters that make them safer compared to illegal private scooters.  Data is being received constantly on safety records, helmet wearing and how many car journeys they are replacing.

·         A further report will be produced in October for the committee for a decision to extend the scheme. The government has now extended the trial to May 2024.

·         The maximum length of time for an ETRO is 18 months.  The formal consultation is within the first 6 months of the scheme.  The team are planning to carry out more surveys. 

·         Following the initial consultation period, a further 30 - 40 stations had been added. 

·         The ETRO was solely to allow rental e-scooters to be ridden in bike and bus lanes.  The actual size of the scheme was not within the scope of the TRO.

·         Although the trial scheme had been extended by the Government, there were not enough significant changes in it to warrant another ETRO.  Legal services therefore advised that converting to a TRO was appropriate.

·         The IIA and EIA were both updated in March 2022 - the date on the documents was incorrect.

·         Although there was a requirement to come back to committee for a decision in November there was no requirement to consult, although surveys can be carried out.

Councillor Comments

·         Members observed that the public do not understand the processes in regard to this scheme and there was a need to be clearer and to provide increased clarity, giving the public more opportunities to have their say.

·         The number of stations had doubled since the end of the 6-month consultation meaning any decision reached was based on inaccurate information.  A further consultation should be carried out before November.

·         The Government plans to legislate for other similar vehicles and set technical standards was noted.

Decision

The Cabinet Member for Traffic & Transportation:

1.    Noted that in accordance with Department for Transport's guidance, Portsmouth implemented an ETRO ("ETRO 25 2021") when it launched its rental e-scooter trial in March 2021 to allow rental e-scooters in cycle tracks, cycle lanes and bus lanes;

2.    Noted the decision on 18 March 2022, at a meeting of the Cabinet Member for Traffic & Transportation, that the trial should continue until 30 November 2022;

3.    Noted that ETROs can only remain in place for up to 18 months, and that Portsmouth's ETRO is therefore scheduled to expire on 15 September 2022

4.    Noted the responses received to the ETRO during the six-month consultation period from March to September 2021;

5.    Approved converting the ETRO to a permanent TRO from 15 September 2022;

6.    Noted that a decision to make the ETRO permanent would in no way constitute a decision to permit an e-scooter operation in any form after November 2022, and that a further Cabinet Member decision would be required to enable this, following a full public consultation, to extend the enabling Vehicle Special Order (VSO) beyond 30 November 2022.

Michelle Love introduced the report and outlined the purpose - to seek approval from the Cabinet Member to engage residents and businesses within the Central Southsea ward via consultation to help develop proposals for the first 'Active Pompey Neighbourhoods'.

There were large volumes of traffic in Portsmouth which result in local streets taking the brunt of drivers trying to circumnavigate major routes, thereby resulting in large amounts of through traffic.  This brings about negative consequences for local residents.   The scheme aims to make these streets less attractive to through traffic.

Following feedback from residents, a formal consultation on the final design will be held.

Deputations

Councillor Suzy Horton made a deputation in favour.

Deputations are not minuted but can be viewed online here:

https://livestream.com/accounts/14063785/cabinet-tt-28jul2022

Councillor questions

In response to Councillor questions the following points were clarified:

·         The area was chosen as residents had written in or sent in enquiries about speeding.  It also links with the 'east-west' travel corridor approved in 2018.  There were close links to providing active travel infrastructure to be able to access the area. It was also an area of high-density housing with four schools and was surrounded by arterial roads more suitable for carrying traffic.

·         About 2 requests a week were received for speeding surveys.  These were added to a central list.  From these, decisions were taken on prioritisation in conjunction with the strategic leaders for the city and go forward as part of the prioritisation process for capital bids the following year.

·         Information on accidents in the area was not to hand but could be provided.  Speed surveys in 2021 on Orchard Road were between 28 - 31mph in a 20mph zone.

·         Should the consultation result in a successful 'Active Pompey Neighbourhood' bid, additional funding would be sought to extend the model out to further areas in the city.

·         Although the theory in some reports show that such schemes may result in aiding pollution on larger scale traffic carrying roads, it was considered that the scheme will improve the air quality within the area covered, making the community more liveable and reducing through traffic.

·         Discussions on a similar scheme had been held with residents in Fratton.

·         Discussions had been held in 2021 with some residents of St Judes' ward but there was no allocated funding at the time. The delays had also been compounded by service vacancies and the way supply chains had changed. The ward remains on the list.

Councillor Comments

·         Members considered that more data in the report would have helped to provide an informed view on how the decision was taken to select Central Southsea for the consultation.

·         Members considered the approach of engaging residents through consultation ensured residents are on board with any decisions.

Decision

The Cabinet Member for Traffic & Transportation:

1.    Noted the requirements for consultation to inform the future direction of 'Active Pompey Neighbourhoods'

2.    Approved both the initial formal consultation and further formal consultation, drawing on feedback received, following this.

Hayley Chivers introduced the report, detailing the recommendations and noting that the remaining Electric Vehicle charge points for taxis and private hire vehicles are yet to be installed.

Councillor questions

In response to Councillor questions the following points were clarified:

·         A bid for the third phase of residential charge points would be submitted shortly.  If successful, it would have to go through the procurement process meaning that from bid submission it could be 9 months to 1 year before any further residential points were installed.

·         There had been engagement with the Joint Air Quality Unit, who funded the taxi and private hire vehicle charge points.  Permission had been given to open them up to the general public if it could be demonstrated there was little usage.

·         If demand increased from the taxi trade the department would further consider who may use the charge points.

Councillor Comments

·         Members considered it sensible to go ahead with the proposal.

·         More information was needed on the PCC website in relation to the EV charging points, specifically in relation to the current bid submission and potential dates for the next phase of installation.  Hayley confirmed this would happen.

·         The decision would need to be reviewed on a regular basis should further taxis come online with electric vehicles.

Decision

The Cabinet Member for Traffic & Transportation:

1.    Noted the usage of the rapid EV charger in Stubbington Avenue car park;

2.    Approved the opening of the charger for public usage;

3.    Approved delegated authority to the Director of Regeneration to review the usage of each of the taxi and private hire vehicles (PHV) restricted rapid chargers after a period of at least 16 weeks from installation and open usage to the general public if there is not proven demand from the taxi and private hire trade.

Caroline Hopper introduced the information only report.

Councillor Comments

·         Members supported the decision to make the changes permanent but would not agree to the closure of the road on the other side of the Guildhall Square.

Decision

The Cabinet Member for Traffic & Transportation noted the update on the work to make permanent changes to Guildhall Walk.

Simon Bell, Principal Public Transport Officer, introduced the report and outlined the current position on supported bus services.

He noted that Government funding comes to an end in September and as a consequence, four services have been identified which require additional funding until the services can be re-tendered.

Councillor's Questions

In response to Councillor questions the following points were clarified:

·         BSIP funding can only be used to enhance existing services.

·         The passenger numbers for the 13/14 only apply to the supported element - the Sunday service. 

Action - Simon to supply Councillor Heaney with the weekday numbers for the 13/14 and the non-supported usage for all the services identified in the report.

·         No figures are available on how many passengers would be needed on each service in order to ensure a subsidy was not needed.  However, it was estimated the numbers would need to roughly double.

·         Finance confirmed the extra money needed to subsidise these services would very likely come from the parking reserve which was an appropriate use of the reserve.  The other options would be to cut other Traffic and Transportation services or apply for external funding.

·         All the buses using the Clean Air Zone have now been retrofitted.  PCC do not pay the charge for them.  The only bus service that was receiving the subsidy was the number 25 and this ceased at the beginning of the year.

·         The bus re-tender would take place at the beginning of the next calendar year with the award taking place in June 2023, immediately after the elections.

·         A network review had taken place.

·         The split of the subsidy for the X4 is PCC 25 - 30%, Southampton 10% with Hampshire paying the rest.

Councillor Stagg expressed her regret at having to fund the subsidy but felt it was necessary to ensure residents could continue using the services.  She noted the need to work on increasing passenger numbers to ensure a decent bus service throughout the city.

Decision

The Cabinet Member for Traffic & Transportation:

1.    Noted the findings of the survey work and engagement undertaken in reviewing the supported bus services;

2.    Agreed to extend the current supported bus service contracts to 31 July 2023 with delegated authority to the Director of Regeneration in consultation with Cabinet Member for Traffic and Transportation and Section 151 Officer to negotiate any necessary changes to these services.

3.    Noted that waiver approval will need to be sought form Procurement and Legal Services in respect of the proposed extensions to the contracts set out above, in accordance with the Council's Contracts Procedure Rules.

4.    Approved the development and implementation by the Traffic and Transportation Service supported by Procurement and Legal Services, of a procurement strategy to re-tender the contracts. Such procurement strategy to be informed by demand, developing local and national policy, peer review and soft market testing with operators.

5.    Approved additional funding to be made available to support those services identified through the network review as follows:

·         Weekday journeys on service 13/14 which are currently provided without subsidy, and will attract a subsidy from 1 October 2022 and will therefore be subject to an urgent arrangement to maintain the route until 31 July 2023, which may then lead to that route forming part of the wider subsidised bus service re-procurement.

·         Additional funding agreed for supported services 22 and 25;

·         For a six-month period part fund the cross boundary X4 service jointly with Hampshire County Council and Southampton City Council.

6.    Noted that a paper will be brought back to the June 2023 Traffic and Transportation Cabinet meeting following the completion of the procurement process to re-tender the contracts

The meeting concluded at 17:37