Agenda item

To consider a report of the Director of City Development on progress in relation to a review of City Centre Transport.

Referring to Minute 64 of the meeting held on 10^th November 2009, the Director of City Development submitted a report on progress in relation to a review of City Centre Transport.

The purpose of the report was to provide an overview of work in progress to review and prepare a future transport strategy for Leeds city centre, including the examination of future options for the road network and use of road space.

Appended to the report were copies of the following documents for the information/comment of the meeting:-

a)  Leeds City Centre Strategic Road Network identifying the key traffic routes

b)  Leeds City Centre Strategic Road Network identifying future stress points

The following officers were in attendance and responded to Members’ queries and comments:-

Jean Dent, Director of City Development

Dave Gibson, Head of Transport Policy, City Development

Andrew Hall, Transport Strategy Manager, City Development

Prior to discussing the report, the Chair welcomed Jean Dent, Director of City Development to the Board meeting.

The Director of City Development reported that after forty years service with the Council, she would be retiring from the post in July 2010 and had given official notification to terminate her contract.

The Chair, on behalf of Board Members, conveyed his congratulations and wished her well on her forthcoming retirement.

In summary, specific reference was made to the following issues:-

·  Pedestrianisation of the Business district

(The Head of Transport Policy responded and commented on the current difficulties in relation to progressing these issues not least private parking rights)

·  the fact that 25% of the traffic in the city centre was through traffic with no destination in the centre

·  the dangers of making the city centre loop too large

·  the need to try and avoid redirecting traffic through Holbeck Urban Village with any proposals that were put forward by Highways

·  the need for any city centre scheme to address car parking provision at Leeds City station for business and public use

·  implications in changing the current Public Transport Box

• clarification of the progress made in relation to Greenspace around the Sovereign Street area and on the current situation concerning cyclists accessing the cycling point at the station

(The Director of City Development responded and confirmed that work was ongoing for a City Centre park in Sovereign Street. The Transport Strategy Manager commented on the cycle point proposed for the city station and the need for direct access to it. The Board noted that officers were currently reviewing this matter)

• clarification of the composition of the cross party Transport Strategy Group
• the need for the Inner Ring Road Stage 7 to be included on the Tele- Atlas digital mapping and navigation satellite system

(The Head of Transport Policy responded and acknowledged this issue. He agreed to report back on progress)

• the need for further signage on Globe Road/Bridgewater Place directing traffic to the Royal Armouries

In concluding, the Transport Strategy Manager circulated a copy of a document entitled ‘Number of vehicles – Central cordon 24 hour’ showing inbound/outbound figures for the period January 07 to October 09 for the information/comment of the meeting.

Whilst the document showed a general reduction in the number of vehicles, a query arose on the figures and the Transport Strategy Manager agreed to seek an explanation or submit a revised copy to Members via the Board’s Principal Scrutiny Adviser.

RESOLVED –

a)  That the content of the report and appendices be noted.

b)  That, the Principal Scrutiny Adviser seek clarification from the Transport Strategy Officer regarding the data provided and advise Members accordingly.