Agenda item

Report by Executive Director Place Services and Director of Highways, Transport and Planning

The Committee will be asked to approve the Traffic Regulation Order.

At its meeting on 2 March, the Worthing County Local Committee, having considered the results of the consultation, agreed to authorise the Director of Law and Assurance to make the Order as advertised and detailed in Appendix B of the report.

The call in deadline for this decision is 10 March 2020

31.1   The Committee considered a report by the Executive Director for Place Services and Director of Highways, Transport and Planning Services.

31.2   Mike Thomas, Area Highways Manager, introduced the report highlighting that following the statutory public consultation, 23 objections were received and 7 expressions of support.  These were detailed with the officer comments in Appendix A of the report.

31.3   The local Member, Mr Macdonald, spoke in support of the recommendation.  He acknowledged the objections but explained it had been a problem for a long time and he had been contacted by many residents about the problems.  He stated that outside working hours few cars parked in this area and he felt there were enough carparks within short walking distance to accommodate the cars that do currently park on the road.  He urged the Committee to approve the decision.

31.4   Mr Oakley stated that he could not support the recommendation and asked if it could wait until a full road space audit was undertaken for Worthing.  He felt that other roads had the same problem and they should also be looked at.  He also questioned how restrictions would be enforced.  However, he stated he would not object.

31.5   Mr Turner stated that he felt support was limited with only 7 responding in support.  He stated that it should not be assumed those who had not responded support the scheme.  Mr Macdonald responded stating that he was aware that the local resident associations supported the schemes.  Mr Turner also stated that as far as he was aware there had only been one accident or injury and therefore questioned why this was a priority.  He suggested the scheme should be deferred to the reviewed again and a smaller scheme proposed.

31.6   Mr Waight asked why single yellow lines had not been considered.  Mr Thomas responded stating that single yellow lines would require additional signage therefore taking it over the budget for a standard TRO.

31.7   Mr Cloake raised frustration that such restrictions were not put in place when developments were agreed.

31.8   The Chairman then opened to questions from the public.  The following comments were received:

·         A local resident was in support but had not responded formally as was not aware he could.

·         A local business owner had objected but was disappointed about the lack of communication around the proposals.

·         A resident of Fulbeck Avenue was concerned about displacement if the proposals were agreed.

31.9   Mr Turner proposed the decision be deferred and a smaller scheme to resolve the issue around the exit of the David Lloyd Gym be considered.  Members voted on that proposal.  2 in favour and 7 against. 

31.10 Members then voted on the main recommendation as listed in the report.  The result of that vote was 7 in favour, 1 against, 1 abstained.

31.11RESOLVED that the Worthing County Local Committee, having considered the results of the consultation, agreed to authorise the Director of Law and Assurance to make the Order as advertised and detailed in Appendix B of the report.