Issue - meetings

There will be a presentation on ‘Churchill Subway’, presentation slides are attached.

Dr Jacqui Hughes of SOS (Sort our Subway) Group made a statement.

A copy of the statement is attached to the minutes and is available on the Council’s minute book for this Panel.

Gary Peacock Deputy Group Manager, gave a presentation to the Panel which covered the following:

·  Claverton Street Subway – map and pictures

·  Costed options (Options 1, 2 and 3)

·  Atkins Recommendations

·  Figure A1: Churchill Bridge Crossing Options Tested

·  Summary

·  Recommendation

Panel members made the following points and asked the following questions:

The Chairman, Councillor Bull, explained that some members had a site visit to the subway earlier in the day. He further explained that the Panel could not make a decision on the options today but could make a recommendation to the Cabinet Member for Transport, Councillor Clarke.

Councillor Hale asked what the costings would be to align the lights on a possible new crossing with the lights further along. The officer explained that the traffic signals at Rossiter Road run for long cycles whereas a pedestrian crossing is demand led. The officer added that he did not believe that linking the lights would bring the desired results.

Councillor Butters asked if Equal Opportunities and wheelchair users had been taken into account and if the potential arches refurbishment would need a crossing. He also asked if the possibility of a footbridge had been exhausted. The officer responded that there is wheelchair access and that he believed the introduction of CCTV would increase security. He explained that a footbridge would cause a lot of visual impact and the arches issue cannot drive the outcome.

Councillor Becker referred to the middle surface crossing and the 30/60/90 second simulation – he asked if this test had been done for option 3. The officer explained that no, this had not been done for option 3 as it takes pedestrians passed the desire line and would be a retrograde step for pedestrians.

Councillor Bull asked if the officer has looked at other examples of refurbished subways to see if people felt safer as a result of the refurbishment. The officer said he would look into it.

Councillor Simmons stated that any scheme other than an underpass would increase traffic and pollution.

The Panel RESOLVED to make the following recommendation to the Cabinet Member for Transport:

The Panel recommend that officers investigate an alternative crossing, to the east of the gyratory, linked to the other crossing at Halfpenny Bridge. The Panel ask that the investigation should include the issue of air pollution and a study of outcomes in other cities.

Councillor Clarke, Cabinet Member for Transport thanked the Panel.