Issue - meetings

On a motion from Councillor Matt Cochrane, seconded by Councillor Jasper Becker, it was

RESOLVED that

Council notes:

·  That between January and May of 2014 the Council operated an ‘experimental’ Bus Gate on the eastbound carriage of Dorchester Street.

·  That the experiment was ended early after confusion among motorists resulted in more than £220,000 worth of fines having to be refunded to drivers caught passing through the Bus Gate.

·  That at the time the trial concluded, the Council stated that it would analyse the data gathered during the experiment and assess the impact of the Bus Gate before taking a final decision over its permanent future, but that this decision may not be taken until after the completion of the Rossiter Road/Widcombe Parade diversion project.

·  That during the 15 week period of the Bus Gate’s operation, 7,225 motorists were issued with Penalty Charge Notices – meaning an average of 69 vehicles were caught breaching the Bus Gate each day. However, no specific data was gathered on the number of vehicles displaced onto alternative routes such as Rossiter Road, Pulteney Road and North Parade.

Council believes:

·  That with the two-way system on Rossiter Road now in operation, now is the right time to take a decision on the future of the Dorchester Street Bus Gate.

·  That, whilst the Council is supportive of measures to encourage bus usage, including bus priority measures where appropriate, the problems caused by the Bus Gate in terms confusion amongst motorists and reputational damage to the Council and city mean its reintroduction would not be sensible or justified.

·  That further work is nonetheless required to assess whether any steps can be taken to improve the flow of traffic on Dorchester Street to reduce congestion for the benefit of all traffic, including buses, and ensure a safe environment for all road users and pedestrians.

Council resolves:

1.  To express its view that the Dorchester Street Bus Gate should not be reinstated and put this as a recommendation to the Cabinet Member.

2.  To request that the Cabinet Member for Transport ask officers to undertake a study of Dorchester Street to determine whether any measures could be introduced to improve the flow of traffic whilst ensuring a safe environment for all road users and pedestrians.

[Notes:

1.  An unsuccessful amendment was moved by Councillor Neil Butters, seconded by Councillor Nigel Roberts, to introduce measures to recognise air pollution and climate change aspects. This was not carried, with 23 Councillors voting in favour, and 35 against.

2.  During debate, a motion to extend the meeting to 10:20 was not carried, although a subsequent motion to extend to 10:10 was successful, with a majority of Councillors voting in favour.

3.  The substantive motion was carried, with 35 Councillors voting in favour, and 23 against.

4.  During the debate, various procedural points were raised and addressed.]