Agenda item

To consider an interim update on the town centre regeneration project and to note the timetable for the independent lessons learned report and the road safety audit.

The Committee considered a report, set out in agenda pages 29 to 32, which gave an interim update on the Market Place Regeneration Project. The update detailed the timetable for the upcoming lessons learned report and the road safety audit.

Mark Cupit, Assistant Director, Delivery and Infrastructure, stated that there had been a delay in completing the lessons learned report and the road safety audit due to difficulty in procuring a contractor to undertake the work. He added that a suitable contractor had now been found and that the work had been commissioned, which should result in the reports being available for the January Committee. Mark added that the road safety audit could not be completed until the Peach Place parking restrictions were removed.

Rachel Burgess asked whether any additional safety measures had been considered for the pedestrian road crossing in the town centre. Mark Cupit stated that the safety issues were taken very seriously and that the square of Market Place had been designed with all users in mind. He added that there had been a substantial change in the behaviour of traffic in the square who were taking more time and were allowing people to cross even in areas without a designated crossing. Mark stated that there was also a duty on parents and all users of the square to take care and to familiarise themselves with the new layout.

In response to a Member question regarding safety concerns with shared spaces, Mark Cupit clarified that the Market Place square was not a shared space and that there were defined roadways and pavements.

In response to a Member question regarding any plans for a 20 miles per hour speed limit being introduced in the square, Mark Cupit stated that he felt there was no need to do so currently as many cars had been slowing down and driving responsibly during the ‘settling in’ period.

Clive Jones asked whether disability groups were consulted during the design stage of the project and if so what they were shown. Mark Cupit stated that several disability groups were invited into the consultation stage and that Guide Dogs for the Blind were amongst one of the groups that had attended sessions. He added that their views and opinions would have been used to shape the design of the public space. Mark stated that he did not have the information on hand as to exactly what these groups were shown, but that records of the meetings would have been kept. Mark informed Members that a workshop with the same disability groups was scheduled to take place on 16 November 2018 to discuss their impressions of the newly opened Market Place.

Clive Jones asked whether it was appropriate for the Executive Member for Regeneration to meet with the contractors with responsibility for completing the road safety audit and the lessons learned report. Mark Cupit stated that himself and Andrew Moulton (Assistant Director – Governance) had taken the lead on procurement of the contractor, and that they felt it appropriate to involve the Lead Member at a later stage in the procurement process.   

In response to Member questions regarding delays to the completion of the Market Place Regeneration Project, Mark Cupit stated that work was asked to be halted during the festive period of 2017 and that this was not a planned break. He added that the biggest delays were due to unforeseen underground issues such as old tree roots, old foundations and cellars.

Rachel Burgess asked how many complaints had been received recently with regards to the Market Place. Mark Cupit stated that there had been no recent complaints and that the complaints that were received after the Market Place was re-opened were primarily focussed on safety concerns.

Guy Grandison stated that there was a need to focus the upcoming Town Centre Regeneration item at January’s Committee on the Market Place and Peach Place Regeneration Projects, using the lessons learned report and the road safety audit to aid in formulating key lines of inquiry. 

RESOLVED That:

1)    Mark Cupit be thanked for attending the meeting;

2)    the lessons learned report and the road safety audit be circulated to the Committee as soon as they are completed;

3)    the Town Centre Regeneration item at January’s Committee be focussed on the Market Place and Peach Place Regeneration Projects, using the lessons learned report and the road safety audit to aid in formulating key lines of inquiry;

4)    Democratic Services contact various stakeholders and interested parties to engage at the January Committee meeting.