Agenda and minutes

7.1       The Lead Member approved as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 21 May 2018.

Disclosure by all Members present of personal interests in matters on the agenda, the nature of any interest and whether the Members regard the interest as prejudicial under the terms of the Code of Conduct.

8.1       Councillor Belsey declared a personal interest in Item 6, in that he is the Local Member for Ratton School, the subject of a 20mph Speed Limit proposal, but he did not think this was prejudicial. 

8.2       Councillor Daniel declared a personal interest in Item 5, in that he is a resident adjacent to Alexandra Park, Hastings, but he did not think that this was prejudicial. 

9.1       Reports referred to in the minutes below are contained in the minute book.

Report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport

10.1     The Lead Member considered a report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport. 

DECISION

10.2     The Lead Member RESOLVED to recommend that the County Council:  (1) notes the Government’s actions to:

1.    Develop and deliver a strategy and action plan to phase out the use of diesel by 2040, including measures to help the owners of these vehicles switch to clean vehicles and alternatives to driving

2.    Ensure that air pollution standards for new diesel vehicles are adhered to.

3.    Ensure local authorities have the powers and resources necessary to reduce pollution from diesel vehicles, including the power to ban diesel vehicles and new powers to control emissions from buses; and

(2) As there is no known safe limit for some pollutants, the Council will - working with others as necessary, including the Health & Wellbeing Board and the public, particularly those most affected by air pollution - continue to take action to further reduce pollution levels to at least recommended World Health Organisation levels, particularly in locations where there is a concentration of vulnerable people (e.g. around schools).”

Reasons

10.3     The Government is driving a strategy for improving air quality, alongside sustainable growth through a number of different strategies and approaches as set out in section 2 of the report. Whilst the majority of this is underpinned by European legislation, there is a commitment that this will remain following the UK’s departure from the EU.

10.4     The principles of the three elements of the Notice of Motion are supported with the exception of the ban on diesel vehicles by 2025, which would be challenging to deliver due to the cultural, industry and infrastructure issues described in paragraph 2.11 of the report. Therefore the Government’s time horizon for banning the sale of diesel vehicles by 2040 is more realistic. The County Council is actively contributing to these three elements by exploring the opportunities to develop measures which support cleaner, cheaper and easier travel, through the use of smart technology, the delivery of the improved travel choices which encourage public transport, walking and cycling and the development of a framework for the delivery of electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

Report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport

11.1     The Lead Member considered a report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport. 

DECISION

11.2     The Lead Member RESOLVED to: (1) note the recommendations made within the East Sussex Highways Alexandra Park and St. Helens Road, Hastings Cycle Route Review report dated December 2017; and

(2)        agree that the proposal to progress the route through Alexandra Park as presented in Appendix C be taken forward to detailed design and construction as part of the 2018/19 Capital Programme for Local Transport Improvements.

Reasons

11.3     Following the Lead Member’s decision in March 2017, a route review study of an alternative shared pedestrian and cycle route along St. Helens Road has been undertaken.  For the reasons identified in paragraph 2.3 of the report, it is recommended that this route option is not progressed.  As part of the route review study and further consultation with the local County Councillors, a revised alignment through the lower section of Alexandra Park, as described in paragraphs 2.4 and 2.5 of the report and shown in Appendix C of the report, was identified and should be progressed.

Report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport

12.1     The Lead Member considered a report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport, together with the written comments of Councillor Ungar, one of the Local Members, and correspondence from a local resident. 

DECISION

12.2     The Lead Member RESOLVED to: (1) note the outcome of the Hailsham/Polegate/Eastbourne Movement and Access Corridor consultation undertaken in Autumn 2017 as detailed in Appendix 1 of the report; and

(2) approve the recommended package of proposals as set out in paragraph 2.4 of the report to be taken forward to detailed design and construction.

Reasons

12.3     The increase in traffic generated from the proposed additional housing and employment in the South Wealden and Eastbourne area, will result in increased levels of congestion on the road network unless a package of mitigation measures is delivered. The Hailsham/Polegate/Eastbourne Movement and Access Corridor (HPE MAC) study identified the need for improvements to key junctions, along with the provision of bus lanes and other bus infrastructure together with new cycle routes and pedestrian improvements. 

12.4     The first phase of the Movement and Access Corridor proposals, focussed on the A2270 corridor from the Wannock Road/Polegate High Street junction to Victoria Drive through Polegate Willingdon and Ratton, was consulted upon in Autumn 2017.  The responses and comments made by local residents and stakeholders through the consultation process have helped shape the recommended package of Phase 1 improvements, as set out in paragraph 2.4 of the report, to be taken forward to detailed design and construction.