Agenda item

Report from the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment.

Recommendations:

That Cabinet:

1. Notes the findings of the consultation and approves the Policy for the Introduction of 20mph Speed Limits and Zones (Appendix 1.)

2. Approves the proposals in respect of handling complaints or requests in respect of parking on footways, set out in paragraphs 2.10 through 2.15.

Consideration was given to the report which outlined feedback received from the recent consultation on the Council’s proposed policy in respect of 20mph speed limits. It provided details of the results of the consultation and recommended a version of the Policy for adoption to ensure a consistent approach to the implementation of 20mph speed limits in the Borough. The report also provided an update on the Council’s proposed position in respect of handling complaints or requests in respect of parking on footways.

The consultation ran on-line between 24 November and 22 December 2023. Although the stated closing date was 22 December, the consultation was kept open until 2 January 2024 to allow for any late responses to be considered. The public consultation was publicised by press releases which resulted in the publication of articles in the Rotherham Advertiser and the Sheffield Star and resulted in 114 responses being received.

In summary:

·       44.7% of respondents indicated support for the draft Policy;

·       53.5% of respondents indicated disapproval of the draft Policy.

·       1.8% of respondents did not know whether they support or disapproved.

Amongst the 51 respondents supporting the draft Policy –

·       21 made generally supportive comments

·       11 raised concerns regarding compliance

·       3 comments supporting 20mph speed limits in villages

·       2 wanted 20mph speed limits implementing on busier roads

Amongst the 59 respondents disapproving of the draft Policy –

·       21 made general adverse comments, including those outside of the scope of the consultation.

·       14 raised concern about compliance.

·       13 raised concern about journey times and/or congestion.

·       11 raised concern regarding vehicle emissions.

·       7 indicated 20mph limits should be reserved for specific locations, in particular schools.

It was worth noting that, of the 14 objectors raising concerns of compliance, about two-thirds were of a nature where it might be inferred that there would be more support if respondents felt the limit would be effectively enforced. Conversely, two respondents advocating for much wider or blanket application of 20mph speed limits indicated support for the Policy notwithstanding its express precluding of blanket application of 20mph. These discrepancies highlighted the need for caution in interpreting the consultation response.

The recommended option was therefore to adopt the 20mph Policy at

Appendix 1, which was based on the consultation draft and included the clarifying amendments which responded to the comments received.

Unless and until the Department for Transport update their position on parking on footways, it was proposed that the Council would continue to consider requests where prioritised through the Local Neighbourhood and Road Safety and Minor Schemes programmes, and where relevant as part of other projects. To inform these programmes, Officers would continue to log requests from the public and from Members, along with hotspot locations identified by the Council’s Highways and Parking Services teams.

Through these programmes, localised interventions would be considered on a case-by-case basis. Broadly speaking, potential interventions fell into three categories:

Education and information, including an update of the website to reflect RMBC position on footway parking, and production of printed flyers to be placed on offending vehicles; Physical obstruction (e.g. bollards); and,

Introduction and enforcement of local Traffic Regulation Orders.

If approved the Council’s website would be updated to set out this position, with the text included at Appendix 3.

During the meeting, a correction to recommendation 2 was requested. It should reference paragraph 2.14 through 2.19, not 2.10 through 2.15.

Resolved:

That Cabinet:

1.    Notes the findings of the consultation and approves the Policy for the Introduction of 20mph Speed Limits and Zones (Appendix 1.)

2.    Approves the proposals in respect of handling complaints or requests in respect of parking on footways, set out in paragraphs 2.14 through 2.19.