Decision details

(1) Tat approval is given to implement emergency traffic management measures on high streets and in town centres needed to reallocate road space to pedestrians and cyclists using Experimental Traffic Regulation Orders.

(2) That representations from stakeholders and consultation responses for changes to Experimental Traffic Regulation Orders are reported with recommendations for decisions to the Cabinet Member for Sustainable Transport.

(3) That before making any Experimental Traffic Regulation Orders into Permanent Traffic Regulation Orders all representations are reported to a public Decision Making Session of the Cabinet Member for Sustainable Transport for a decision on the permanent arrangements.

(4) That the Director - Regeneration and Growth be authorised to complete the necessary statutory procedures and the Director - Law and Governance and Monitoring Officer be authorised to seal the relevant Order to bring the proposlas above into effect.

The Government has introduced emergency legislation under the Traffic Orders Procedure (Coronavirus) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2020 and provided emergency transport funding to facilitate the return to work and gradual lifting of the COVID 19 restrictions. This is to implement measures to re-allocate road space supported by new statutory guidance under he Traffic Management Act 2004, including temporary amendments for Traffic Regulation Orders.

The funding being made available by Government through the Emergency Active Travel Fund will enable some of the measures already identified in the LCWIP/SCWIP to be implemented in temporary form immediately and may also accelerate their permanent delivery in some cases.

Due to the emergency nature of this funding, and the very short timeframes stipulated for the delivery of the projects (expiring at the end of July 2020), it is necessary to seek approval to delegate decisions regarding their introduction in order that they can be implemented as soon as possible.

To take no action would rely on public observation of social distancing at pinch points on narrow High Street footways at locations where this is an unrealistic expectation. No action would also miss the opportunity to enhance cycling and walking provision for short journeys particularly to work. In addition no action would miss an opportunity to test a new traffic and network management approach that could secure climate change and environmental benefits from reduced car use.