A presentation from Robert Murphy, Principal Transport & Development Manager.
Minutes:
The Board received a presentation from Robert Murphy, Principal Transport & Development Manager. The presentation slides are attached to the minutes.
Background and context.
One key objective of the Central Area Framework (CAF) was to create People Friendly Streets.
A consultation was held in Late July / early Aug 2020, with 784 residents and business owners participating in sharing their views on the scheme.
Changes were then made to the consulted scheme and a revised proposed plan produced. These were shown in the presentation. The Experimental Traffic Regulations Orders (ETRO) related to:
· Three bus gates on Castle Street, Fisherton Street and Catherine Street (adding to existing restrictions elsewhere in the city centre)
· A 7.5t weight limit (10am to 4pm)
· No left turn (except for exempted vehicles) from Chipper Lane on to Castle Street
· Removal of on-street pay and display spaces from Catherine Street and Milford Street (west of Brown Street)
A council decision was made on 29 September, following consultation with Police and others.
Jo Pattison – Parking Services Manager explained that the basis of the scheme was that people could still access the area if they fit into one of the listed criteria.
Proposed enforcement system:
|
User |
Details |
|
Blue Badge holders |
Pre-register via the MiPermit portal with two vehicle registrations |
|
Residents (within low traffic zone) and their visitors |
Will need to apply for an access permit via the MiPermit portal |
|
Buses / Coaches |
Vehicle registrations obtained from bus / coach companies; others will be identified by Parking Services reviewing camera footage and adding the vehicle registration to an approved list of exempt vehicles. |
|
Taxis |
Vehicle registrations will be added to the approved list from Taxi Licensing data/records |
|
Loading / Unloading |
Communications with local businesses to establish an initial approved list |
|
Collections / drop-offs at shops |
Shops will need to apply for permit on behalf of customer |
|
Funerals and weddings |
Permit required (details tbc) |
|
Builders / demolition vehicles |
Permit required (details tbc) |
|
Utility vehicles |
Vehicle registrations obtained from utility companies; others will be identified by Parking Services reviewing camera footage and adding the vehicle registration to the approved list |
There would be an approved list of number plates such as taxis and buses, and all vehicles passing through the area would be monitored by a camera enforcement system. Users were able to apply on the MiPermit portal to register if they met the criteria.
When a vehicle was captured entering the area, it would go into a viewing suite, to be assessed. If it was a bus or taxi or a vehicle that met the criteria it would then be added to the approved list of users.
Because it was known that some people may drive into the area not realising there was a need for a permit, there would be a period of time where the council would issue warning notices. This would be an interim period only.
Rob noted that there was the ability to make changes, so the scheme would be monitor and the information looked at to understand what was going on in Salisbury. Vivacity Labs had been commissioned to record the data. There would also be additional air quality monitoring.
The council was also developing a contingency plan with Highways England to address trigger points with appropriate actions.
An additional £1.3m in funding had also been secured from SWLEP.
Some of the schemes to be developed would be:
· Refurbishments and improvement in Culver Street.
· An eCycle hire scheme and additional cycle parking
· Parklets - to be installed
· Bus stop replacements and reconfiguration
· Car share scheme expansion
· New wayfinding markers
Questions
· Would the pay and display be removed or remain in chipper lane, as the trade in the evening heavily relied on a delivery service.
Answer: Delivery drivers were able to apply for loading and unloading permits which were valid for a month. If a business was regularly using a vehicle we could extend the permit time if needed. Not onerous and all permits are free.
· I am a member of the safer Salisbury Group, many of the blue badge holders do not use the internet or have a mobile phone, some have no idea about the scheme, they are very worried. As the council had a list of all blue badge holders, could you write to them to advise on how they can pre-register?
Answer: We are in the process of contacting all blue badge holders in the Salisbury area. Those without access to the internet, all you have to do is provide the serial number, and the team would provide the badges for them.
· Could Salisbury consider allowing registering cars that were tax exempt?
Answer: We would have to look at the legality of that.
· What would happen if a visitor with a blue badge came in?
Answer: We always advise and educate on a first occasion for blue badge holders.
· This is a trial which gives us a chance to do lots of things we would not normally be able to do.