Agenda item

Purpose: the report addresses the Council Strategy commitment to conduct a trial extension to the pedestrianisation timings in Newbury Town Centre.  This will remove traffic from this core area during the evenings to create more space for pedestrians, areas for seating and planting, ‘spill-out’ space for cafés and restaurants and flexibility for larger events.  Removal of traffic in the evenings will also improve pedestrian safety.

Resolved that: Executive approves

·       the making of an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order to extend the hours of pedestrianisation in Newbury Town Centre, subject to any required Secretary of State approval.

·       in principle the making of a Traffic Regulation Order to extend the hours of pedestrianisation in Newbury Town Centre subject to formal consultation, should the SoS not give consent to the use of an ETRO.

This decision is eligible to be ‘called-in’.  However, if the decision has not been ‘called-in’ by 5.00pm on 22 December 2023, then it will be implemented.

Councillor Denise Gaines introduced and proposed a report (Agenda Item 9), which recommended a trial extension to the pedestrianisation timings of Newbury Town Centre. Councillor Gaines explained that there were two options under consideration; an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO), which would last for a minimum of six months with consultation of stakeholders and the community being undertaken during the trial period, or a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) which would require formal consultation prior to implementation, but if implemented would be permanent.

Councillor Jeff Brooks commented that in 1998 when Northbrook Street had initially been pedestrianised there had been significant opposition, yet the scheme was now perceived to be a success.

Councillor Martin Colston commented that the preference would be for an ETRO so that feedback was based on real experience rather than pre-conceptions.

Councillor Tomy Vickers noted that response to the Newbury Town Masterplan consultation had been overwhelmingly in favour of pedestrianisation. Councillor Gaines agreed and noted that there had been over three thousand responses to the Masterplan consultation and the top requirements had been for more local shops, cafes and restaurants, and more street furniture and planting.

Councillor Ross Mackinnon commented that whilst he was not against pedestrianisation he felt that residents and businesses should be consulted before implementing changes.  Councillor Mackinnon commented that he had concerns relating to the impact on disabled residents, the effect on businesses and their ability to take deliveries and requested that Councillor Colston query feedback from the BID in relation to the town centre’s appetite to proceed. Councillor Colston responded that the BID were broadly supportive and were planning to consult with their members prior to any ETRO or TRO.

Councillor Mackinnon queried whether there had been any negative comments from individual businesses to which Councillor Colston replied that there had been one or two.

Councillor Gaines clarified that the American Bridge would not be opened to accommodate town centre traffic and that there was unlikely to be significant change to the traffic as residents would adapt to the revision.

In response to a query from Councillor Mackinnon, Councillor Gaines confirmed that a traffic modelling survey would not be undertaken to date until it was decided whether to pursue an ETRO or a TRO. 

Councillor Colston clarified that the date noted in Table 2 on page 93 of the Agenda Pack for ’Prepare PR and consultation material’ should have read as January 2024 rather than January 2023.

date preparing PR and consultation on page 93 of the Agenda Pack should have read as January 2024 rather than January 2023.

Councillor Mackinnon queried what would happen when town centre businesses were unable to re-arrange their deliveries to before 10.00 am. Councillor Gaines responded that businesses would be consulted throughout the imposition of the ETRO, and that it was not possible to address such a problem before it arose. Councillor Lee Dillon further added that businesses would adapt.

Councillor David Marsh voiced his support of the scheme and urged the Executive to promote more extensively on social media. Councillor Dillon agreed that the scheme would be promoted through the Council’s social media channels.

In response to a suggestion from Councillor Adrian Abbs to narrowing the road rather than fully closing, Councillor Gaines responded that half measures were not appealing and would lead to general confusion. 

Councillor Richard Somner reminded Members that consultations undertaken in the past relating to the proposal had been approximately 50% in favour and 50% opposed and requested that Members be mindful of that. Councillor Somner suggested that the Executive clarify to residents that any opinions previously expressed in relation to the scheme, either on social media or local sites, would not be recognised as part of the future consultation and evidence base. Councillor Somner further added that rules for cyclists and scooter users be included within the scheme, and that taxi companies be specifically targeted by the consultation. Councillor Somner further noted the impact that the scheme would have on the traffic using the Robin Hood roundabout and hoped it had been taken into account, particularly given the planned re-development of the roundabout.  Councillor Gaines acknowledged that the works to the roundabout had been delayed until the permanent future of Newbury Town centre was known. Councillor Gaines confirmed that every stakeholder would be consulted.

Councillor Howard Woollaston acknowledged that pedestrianisation of Market Square made sense however was unconvinced that any resident visiting Northbrook Street or Bartholomew Street desired al fresco dining. Councillor Woollaston suggested that Councillor Gaines had categorically promised previously in the year to undertake a formal consultation prior to any change to the pedestrianisation of the town centre. Councillor Gaines clarified she had promised that the Council would talk to residents, not to consult. 

Councillor Colston seconded the recommendations within the report.

RESOLVED that: Executive approves

·       the making of an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order to extend the hours of pedestrianisation in Newbury Town Centre, subject to any required Secretary of State approval.

·       in principle the making of a Traffic Regulation Order to extend the hours of pedestrianisation in Newbury Town Centre subject to formal consultation, should the SoS not give consent to the use of an ETRO.