Agenda and minutes

Consideration was given to the minutes of a meeting of the Tourism Forum held on 10^th December, 2010.

Resolved:-  That the contents of the minutes be noted.

Tom Finnegan-Smith, Acting Transportation Unit Manager, to report.

-           to inform the Cabinet Member of a proposal to implement a number of bus and general traffic improvement measures at the A629 Upper Wortley Road/London Way junction.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Acting Transportation Unit Manager, setting out a proposal to implement a series of bus and general traffic improvement measures at the A629 Upper Wortley Road / London Way junction.

It was explained that the South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive had identified that buses were finding it difficult to turn right from London Way onto the A629 Upper Wortley Road and the delays adversely affected journey times and reliability of services in this area.

Details of the six elements of the scheme were set out in the submitted report and the proposed measures were illustrated on Drawing No.  126/17/TT49 accompanying the report.

It was confirmed that funding was available from the Local Transport Plan Integrated Transport Capital programme for 2009/2010 and 2010/2011, noting that the high friction surfacing would be financed from the Local Safety Scheme programme 2010/2011.

Resolved:-  (1)  That a joint Passenger Transport Executive (PTE) / Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council (RMBC) consultation exercise be undertaken regarding the proposed scheme.

(2)        That, subject to no objections being received, the proposal be designed in detail and constructed.

Tom Finnegan-Smith to report.

-           to outline aims and objectives of the Rotherham to Thrybergh ‘Smart  Route’, and seek approval to proposals re:  localised widening of approach to St. Ann’s roundabout.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Acting Transportation Unit Manager, informing the Cabinet Member of the aims and objectives of the Rotherham to Thrybergh Smart Route and seeking approval to undertake the detailed design and implementation of a proposal to widen the approach to St. Ann’s roundabout when travelling south westerly on the A630 Fitzwilliam Road.

It was explained that this Smart Route built upon previous work along the route when it was jointly promoted as a Quality Bus Corridor.  Also the A630 was one of Rotherham’s Key Congestion Routes within the South Yorkshire Congestion Delivery Plan.  The development of this corridor aimed to improve travel for all road users including bus, car, bicycle and on foot.  The proposals centred around four key locations:- College Road roundabout; Fitzwilliam Road;  Mushroom roundabout and Whinney Hill.

Reference was made to the public consultation carried out during summer 2009 by the Council and SYPTE, the results of which were broadly supportive.

It was further explained that it was proposed to widen the approach to St Ann’s roundabout such that two vehicles could wait side by side at the stop line and for a distance of 50m back from the stop line.  It was pointed out that the nearside lane would not be designated as a bus lane.

A summary of other related works was given and reference was made to the details of the proposals which were illustrated on Drawing No. 126/17/TT87 accompanying the submitted report.

It was noted that a significant proportion of the costs of the proposed scheme was due to diverting statutory undertakers’ equipment.  Funding for the scheme was available from the Local Transport Plan Integrated Transport Strategic Capital Programme for 2009/2010 and 2010/2011.

It was also reported that a feasibility study was currently being undertaken regarding the signalisation of the Mushroom roundabout and this would be reported to a future meeting of the Cabinet Member.

The issue was raised of parking on the grass verges.

Resolved:-  (1)  That proposal, as shown on Drawing No.126/17/TT87, be an approved scheme.

(2) That the proposal be designed in detail and constructed.

(3)  That a further report be submitted to a future meeting of the Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Planning and Transportation outlining the other congestion, road safety and accessibility improvements proposed on the A630 Smart Route.

(4)  That the issue of parking on the grass verges be discussed with the Parking Services Manager.

The following item is likely to be considered in the absence of the press and public as being exempt under Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended March 2006) (information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular individual (including the Council)):-

Resolved:-  That, under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended March 2006) (financial/business affairs).

Bernadette Rushton, Assistant Town Centre Manager, to report.

-           to consider a grant application.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Town Centre and Markets Manager, detailing an application for a Town Centre Business Vitality Grant to support a proposal to open a coffee shop in Rotherham town centre.

Details of the project were set out in the report and it was confirmed that the application satisfied the Scheme’s criteria and was supported by the Town Centre Business Development Steering Group.

The proposal would enable a currently empty property on Frederick Street to be brought back into use.

Resolved:-  (1)  That Rental Contribution be awarded to this project to provide a contribution of 50% of annual rent in year one and 25% of annual rental in year two.

(2)  That a Capital Improvement Grant be awarded to this project to cover 75% of total cost of eligible works (excluding vat), up to a maximum grant payment of £7,500 to include (1) fitting out, (2) shop front signwriting, and (3) purchase of street café furniture, subject to the submission and approval of satisfactory specifications and quotations.