Agenda item

           The Officer then explained the process that following the publication of a Notice of

           Intent, members of the public are granted a six month period during which formal

           objections may be submitted to the ETRO process.  He also explained that an

           ETRO can remain in force for up to 18 months. After the end of the initial six month

           period, the Authority may decide to either revoke, amend, or make the

           ETRO permanent. Using ETROs as the process for making features permanent, and

           adjusting them where necessary, thus allows for a longer period over which effects

           can be monitored, and members of the public can contribute their views prior to

           introducing permanent Traffic Regulation Orders.

           The proposed measures to retain/amend were then presented to the Committee

           as follows:

           CARDIGAN

           In addition to the ETRO’s outlined below it is advised that the widened sections of

           footway at the following locations becontinued. These are located on:

·         High St (nr Belottis)

·         Guild Hall

·         Pendre (nr Chip Shop)

·         Priory St (Crwst)

           It is proposed to include the following parking measures in the ETROs:

1.    To introduce a new 12 metre length Loading Bay, Monday to Saturday, 8am to 5pm 20 minutes no return within 20 minutes on High Street opposite the bus stop (which will be reinstated) to the south of the Shire Hall. This will replace the temporary Loading Bay that was introduced at the site of the bus stop. The new Loading Bay will replace part of the limited waiting bay that was on the opposite side of the road prior to the introduction of the safe zone.

2.    To introduce new Disabled Badge Holders Only parking, 8am to 6pm, 3 hours no return within 3 hours adjacent to the new Loading Bay above in 1 to take up the rest of the former limited waiting bay.

3.    To introduce a new Prohibition of Waiting At Any Time on High Street from the northern end of the bus stop to the south of the Shire Hall to the junction with Market Lane (just beyond Belotti’s delicatessen.

4.    To retain the temporarily introduced section of Prohibition of Waiting At Any Time on Priory Street by Crwst, where a new build out has been installed.

5.    To retain the temporarily introduced section of Disabled Badge Holders Only, 8am to 6pm, 3 hours no return within 3 hours parking by the Foot Clinic on the opposite side of Priory Street.

6.    To retain the temporary Prohibition of Waiting At Any Time on Pendre from  Mundos/Food for Thought Café to the junction with Bathhouse Road adjacent to Pendre Café and Fish & Chip Shop.

            It is proposed to include the following Moving Prohibitions in the ETROs:

1.    To retain the One-way traffic flow that was introduced temporarily on College Row (from High Street to Queen's Terrace/Middle Mwldan by Greenfield car park).

2.    To introduce a new Prohibition of Left Turn from Upper Mwldan [the car park] onto College Row.

3.    To introduce a new Prohibition of Right Turn from Middle Mwldan onto College Row.

4.    To introduce a new One Way traffic flow on Pwllhai from Cardigan Antiques Centre to its junction with High Street (east to west).

5.    To introduce a new One-way traffic flow on Chancery Lane from the direction of St Mary Street to High Street (south to north).

            NEW QUAY

            It is proposed to include the following parking measure in the ETROs:

1.    To retain the Disabled Badge Holders Only parking 9am to 5pm, 3 hours no return within 3 hours that was temporarily installed on the seaward side of Glanmor Terrace in the bay opposite the Penwig.

2.    To introduce a new Prohibition of Parking At Any Time on South John Street on its western side both sides of its junction with White Street to join up with the existing Prohibitions of Parking At Any Time.

3.    To introduce a new Prohibition of Parking At Any Time on South John Street from the end of the existing Prohibition of Parking At Any Time by the property known as The Marina to the property boundary on the landward side of Ty Glyn at Glyn Square opposite the junction with Wellington Place.

             It is proposed to include the following Moving Prohibition in the ETROs:

1.    To retain the section of One Way traffic flow on Water Street from its junction  with Albion Terrace travelling north - east to its junction with High Street.

2.    To introduce a new Prohibition of Right Turn from Marine Terrace onto Water Street.

3.    To introduce a new Prohibition of Left Turn from High Street onto Water Street.

             ABERAERON

             In addition to the ETRO’s outlined below it is advised that the widened section of

             footway at the following location be kept. These are located on:

·         Market St (nr Cadwgan Pub, Celtic, Costcutters)

             It will be recommended to the Welsh Government/NMWTRA that the widened

             section of footway by Ambassadors on the A487 be removed and this revert back to

             limited waiting, and that the section of double yellow lines by the junction of the

             A487 and Alban Square by The Royal Oak be retained.

               It is proposed to include the following parking measures in the ETROs:

1.    To retain the southern half (towards the A487 Trunk Road) of the Disabled Badge Holders Only parking, 2 hours no return within 2 hours temporarily introduced to the bay on the opposite side of the road to Costcutter on Market Street. The northern half of the bay (towards the harbour) will revert back to being Limited Waiting, Monday to Saturday, 9am to 6pm, 1 hour no return within 1 hour.

2.    To retain the section of Prohibition of Waiting At Any Time opposite the above Disabled and Limited Waiting bays (i) outside Costcutter to coordinate with the (retained) widened footway.

3.    To retain the section of Prohibition of Waiting At Any Time temporarily installed on Cadwgan Place on the side adjacent to Pwll Cam from its junction with Market Street/Tabernacle Street to its junction with Drury Lane, and to extend this to the junction with Quay Parade by The Hive and to cover the access to the harbour quayside.

4.    To retain the section of Disabled Badge Holders Only parking, 2 hours no return within 2 hours parking temporarily introduced on the south side of Victoria Street by County Hall.

5.    To introduce a new Goods Vehicle Only Loading Bay, Mon – Sat, 9am – 5pm, 30mins no return within 1 hour, 12m in length on the western side of Alban Square on the western side of the road.

6.    To introduce a new Disabled Badge Holders Only bay 6.6m length, on the western side of Alban Square on the western side of the road.

               It is proposed to include the following Moving Prohibitions in the ETROs:

1.    To retain the One Way traffic flow temporarily introduced on Lower Regent Street from north of the pay and display car park, to the seafront, along the seafront and onto Tabernacle Street and then Market Street.

2.    To introduce a new Prohibition of Left Turn from Waterloo Street onto Tabernacle Street.

3.    To introduce a new Prohibition of Right Turn from Glan y mor onto Tabernacle Street.

                 ABERYSTWYTH

                 In addition to the ETRO’s outlined below it is advised that the widened sections

                 of footway at the following locations be kept. These are located on:

·         Pier St (nr Sports Direct and Cactws)

·         Chalybeate St (nr Evola)

·         Terrace Road (nr Stars and Boots)

                  It is proposed to include the following parking measures in the ETROs:

1.    To remove the existing Disabled Badge Holders Only parking, 2 hours no return within 2 hours (2-3 spaces) on Market Street and replace with a Prohibition of waiting At Any Time.

2.    To retain the Prohibition of Waiting At Any Time temporarily introduced on the western side of Pier Street between its junctions with New Street and King Street. (This replaced a single yellow line 9am to 6pm Prohibition of Waiting).

3.    To retain the Goods Vehicles Only Loading Bay, Monday to Saturday, 8am to 6pm, 1 hour no return within 1 hour temporarily introduced on Chalybeate Street on its eastern side outside Evola hairdressers and Rattray Butchers.    

4.    To retain the Prohibition of Waiting At Any Time temporarily introduced to replace a Loading Bay and Limited Waiting on its western side of Chalybeate Street opposite the new Loading Bay in ii) above.

5.    To retain the Disabled Badge Holders Only parking 11am to 6pm, 2 hours no return within 2 hours temporarily introduced in the western side of Chalybeate Street by the Care Society etc, but to adjust the timing to 9am to 5pm, 2 hours no return within 2 hours.

6.    To retain the section of Disabled Badge Holders Only parking, Monday to Saturday, 9am to 5pm, 2 hours no return within 2 hours temporarily introduced on Baker Street, on its western side (the bay on the eastern side of Baker Street will revert back to being a Loading Bay, Monday to Satruday, 8am to 1pm, 1 hour no return within 1 hour: Limited Waiting, Monday to Saturday 1pm to 6pm, 30 minutes no return within 30 minutes).  

7.    To retain the Disabled Badge Holders Only parking, Monday to Saturday, 8am to 5pm, 2 hours no return within two hours on Eastgate on its northern side outside Downies Vaults/Fusion King etc.

8.    To retain the Goods Vehicles Loading Only bay, Monday to Saturday, 8am to 5pm, 1 hour no return within 1 hour that was temporarily introduced on Portland Street on its northern side by its junction with Terrace Road, outside the minor entrance to Boots pharmacy.

9.    To retain the Disabled Badge Holders Only parking, 9am to 5pm, 2 hours no return within 2 hours temporarily introduced to Laura Place on its western side adjacent to St Michael’s church, but to amend the timing to 9am to 5pm, 2 hours no return within 2 hours.

10. To retain the Goods Vehicle Only Loading bay Monday to Saturday, 8am to 5pm, 1 hour no return within 1 hour outside No. 8 to No. 10 for 14.6 metres temporarily introduced on the western side of Pier Street (adjacent to Sports Direct)

11. To retain the Goods Vehicle Only Loading bay Monday to Saturday, 8am to 5pm, 1 hour no return within 1 hour temporarily introduced outside Cactws for 12 metres on the eastern side of Pier Street.

12. To retain the Goods Vehicle Loading Only bay, Monday to Saturday, 8am to 5pm, 1 hour no return within 1 hour temporarily introduced on Terrace Road on its western side by Stars.

It is proposed to include the following Moving Prohibitions in the ETROs:

1.    To retain the One Way traffic flow temporarily introduced on Pier Street (south to north from Great Darkgate Street to New Promenade/Marine Terrace).

2.    To introduce a Prohibition of Left Turn from Eastgate onto Pier Street, to support the one way on Pier Street.

3.    To introduce a new Prohibition of Right Turn from King Street onto Pier Street.

4.    To retain the One Way traffic flow temporarily introduced on Terrace Road from the seafront at Marine Terrace to its junctions with Portland Street.

5.    To introduce a new Prohibition of Right Turn from the eastern arm of Portland Street onto Terrace Road.

6.    To introduce a new Prohibition of Left Turn from the western arm of Portland Street onto Terrace Road.

7.    To introduce a new Prohibition of Right Turn from Portland Road onto Terrace Road.

8.    To retain the One Way traffic flow temporarily introduced on Baker Street, from the direction of its junction with Portland Street towards its junction with North Parade/Great Darkgate Street.

9.    To introduce a new Prohibition of Right Turn from Bath Street into Terrace Road.

10. Retain the One Way traffic flow temporarily introduced on Bath Street.

11. To introduce prohibitions of turn (left and right) from Queens Road into Bath Street

The Chairman thanked Steve Hallows for presenting the information and invited questions from Committee Members. Members asked many questions relating to their area of interest, which were answered in turn by Officers.

Members asked that consideration be provided to those who are elderly and infirm and do not have a blue badge to whom parking within close proximity of town is of great importance. In response, it was confirmed that the study undertaken looked at each town individually.

In response to a question, Officers confirmed that they would need to investigate the blue badge allocation hours that a Member referred to as having decreased from 3 hours to 2 hours as the Member considered that the original 3 hours should now be reinstated in all affected locations.

In response to another question, Officers confirmed that pooling of water had been an issue at some locations and that where it is an issue it is easily rectifiable.

It was confirmed following a query that licensing fees would be applied from 2022, and that the reason for not applying charges until then was to support Ceredigion’s Traders during an extremely difficult challenging period.

A Councillor expressed his disappointment that a Member of the public had made a request to speak regarding disabled parking at this morning’s meeting which was declined.

It was confirmed following a question that parking for members of the public is available for 30 minutes at Baker Street, Aberystwyth from 1pm until 6pm daily.   It was also reiterated that as the consultation will be over a 6-month period, all comments, suggestions, views would be considered in relation to these, and any other, arrangements

Regarding Cardigan Town Council, following a question, it was confirmed that the loading bay near the Castle has been located as close as it could be in order for traffic to pass comfortably. It was also requested that Officers investigate a request for signage to warn lorries that a particular road is unsuitable for large loads.  A request was made for increased traffic warden presence on Pendre.

Committee Members agreed that the notice of intent, which will be submitted to press in February 2022 with information regarding the 6-month consultation period, needs to be highlighted and communicated to the public.

Committee Members agreed that easy access for everyone is key and that the older and infirm (those without blue badges) need to be accommodated too.  A recommendation was made that when the car park charging fees are set that they are affordable for all so that residents can continue to shop in their local towns. 

In response to a question regarding the proposed timetable for implementation, These are Officer proposals that will require Cabinet ratification.

A Committee Member raised concerns that he has received many complaints from his constituents who reside out of Aberystwyth Town that they are no longer comfortable with shopping in town due to the road closures and the one-way systems.  An Officer confirmed that the safe zones was a separate issue and moving forward under these experimental orders, the public have an opportunity to express their views for future consideration.  Committee Members welcomed this consultation opportunity.

The Chairman then gave non-Committee Members an opportunity to speak and concerns were raised as follows:

·         Parking for residents has been extremely difficult and the impact on those individuals should be considered;

·         Traffic Flow efficiency should be considered;

·         A full report on economic impact would be beneficial;

·         It was suggested that a drop-off point should be considered outside the Factory Shop in Cardigan;

·         Extended pavements have seen increased flooding in Pendre, Cardigan.

Following a lengthy discussion, Committee Members were asked to consider the following recommendation:

RECOMMENDATION:

It is recommended that these proposals, and any amendments to them deemed necessary, be approved for submission to Cabinet to seek authorisation for the making of the necessary Experimental Traffic Regulation Orders and the publishing of a Notice to that effect in the local press and revoke all other measures associated with the Safe Zone Temporary Traffic Orders.

Committee Members agreed to recommend the following  amended recommendation (changes highlighted in bold) to Cabinet:

It is recommended that these proposals, and any  amendments to them deemed necessary following discussion at the Thriving Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on the 8^th November, and after consultation with Local Members be approved for submission to Cabinet to seek authorisation for the making of the necessary Experimental Traffic Regulation Orders and the publishing of a Notice to that effect in the local press and revoke all other measures associated with the Safe Zone Temporary Traffic Orders.

The Chairman thanked the Officers, Cabinet Member, and other Members present for their contribution at the meeting. He wished everyone a Happy Christmas and looks forward to seeing everyone in the New Year.