Agenda item

A trial road closure (modal filter) was introduced via an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO) on Whitecliff Road at Keyhole Bridge near Poole Park on 19^th August 2020. Following a period of consultation a decision was made to remove the modal filter in March 2021 and the modal filter was removed at that time.  This decision was formally challenged, and the subsequent High Court judgement directed the Council to re-open the consultation to inform a Cabinet review of the decision.  This report provides information to inform the review.  It sets out the potential options and provides the consultation material relating to the original and further consultation periods.

RESOLVED that: -

Having considered all responses, evidence and information Option A, as outlined in the report, to Keep Whitecliff Road open as it is at present be approved.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Sustainability and Transport

Reason

Cabinet considered all of the existing information obtained historically and in the recent additional consultation period and undertook the necessary review to consider all options following the decision of the High Court dated 18 November 2021. (Accessible via a link in the Background Papers).

The Cabinet were less persuaded by some of the assumptions and conclusions within the second analysis and considered that on balance the data analysis of Dorset Council made more sense.

Option B, a further trial was not a sensible way forward as Cabinet considered that they had all the information on this that would be available.

Option C does little to improve air quality and there were balanced arguments on road. However, it was considered that, on balance, closing the bridge would lead to displaced traffic and therefore impact on road safety and the economic impact.

The Portfolio Holder for Sustainability and Transport presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'C' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet was asked to consider all of the existing information obtained historically and in the recent additional consultation period and undertake the necessary review to consider all options following the decision of the High Court dated 18 November 2021.  (accessible via a link in the Background Papers)

In relation to this Cabinet was advised that a trial road closure (modal filter) was introduced via an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO) on Whitecliff Road at Keyhole Bridge near Poole Park on 19^th August 2020, and that following a period of consultation a decision was made to remove the modal filter in March 2021 and the modal filter was removed at that time. 

Further to this Cabinet was advised that this decision was formally challenged, and the subsequent High Court judgement directed the Council to re-open the consultation to inform a Cabinet review of the decision, and that this report provides information to inform the review and sets out the potential options and provides the consultation material relating to the original and further consultation periods.

The Portfolio Holder thanked the members of the public for submitting the statements to the meeting. The Portfolio Holder refered to the two analyses which contained very different results and explained that these were then analysed as to why this was the case and which provided the most accurate prediction. The differences between the analyses were outlined to Cabinet, including the vastly different numbers of expected generated trips. The Portfolio Holder considered that most factors had already been well considered and that the key issue to now consider was the economic impacts of the decision. There was a strong body of opinion on either side of the argument with significant numbers of representations on both sides.

A non-Cabinet Councillor commented that it was apparent by the statements received that overwhelming public opinion was in favour of closing the bridge to traffic and hoped that Cabinet would listen to this.

A Cabinet member commented that there were around 9.5k visits to the park itself. It was noted for clarity in response to a comment from a non-Cabinet Councillor that the closure of routes in other parks were the result of the implications of the Five Parks act rather than a Council decision.

A Lead Member commented that closure of the bridge would impact on traffic in other local roads and that the weight of public opinion was actually for the bridge to remain open. It was noted that it would be difficult to get a decision which will be acceptable to everyone and that some protections could be put into place around the bridge with an aim to find a way forward which would satisfy everybody.

Clarity was sought on the potential for traffic evaporation outlined in an analysis. Officers advised that there were many other factors to be taken into consideration within the local context and that without trialling this it would be difficult to make a judgement on this.

Clarity was also sought on what the potential consequences and road safety issues were with vehicles diverted on Parkstone Road if the bridge was closed. The report was clear that if putting more traffic along a route there was the potential for an increase in incidents but without actually doing this it was difficult to make a judgement. It was noted that there were 2 collisions on Parkstone Road during the closure.

The Portfolio Holder summarised the position and proposed that Cabinet agree option A, to keep the Bridge open as it was considered that, on balance, the data from the Dorset Council report appeared most likely.

RESOLVED that: -

Having considered all responses, evidence and information, that Option A (as outlined in the report), to keep Whitecliff Road open as it is at present be approved.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Sustainability and Transport