Sue Cheriton

Cllr Amil (Cllr Hytche in attendance as representative)

Cllr Hill opened the meeting and asked for any declaration of interest in the agenda item – Cllr Excell confirmed an interest as he owns two properties in Union Street.

·         BP outlined to the Working Party that the report being considered is in response to Growth Deal Funding being agreed, in principle, by the Head of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) to change the traffic flow into Torquay Town Centre.   BP outlined the 4 options being presented in the report and confirmed the Officers recommended option is Option 1.

·         BP expressed the critical timeline of the scheme with a deadline for submission of the Business Case to the Local Transport Board in March 2015.

·         An overview of the Options was presented by BP and PC as detailed in the report.

Speakers at the meeting:-

·         Mrs Rainbird

·         Swithin Long

·         Claire Hayward

·         Mrs Bradford & Mr Lang Torre Traders

Mrs Rainbird (on behalf of the Pensioners)

·         Mrs Rainbird expressed concern regarding increased CO₂ omissions if Option 1, 2 or 3 was approved. 

·         Mrs Rainbird expressed that Options 2 and 3 would delay the traffic flow with further pedestrian crossings being introduced.  The reversal would create pavement pollution and a rat run and kill off local trader business. 

·         Mrs Rainbird expressed concern regarding 5x increased pollutants from vehicles and that the residents of Palm House would be subjected to increased traffic fumes.  Mrs Rainbird was concerned with negative health effects and a black carbon problem. 

·         Mrs Rainbird was in favour of retaining the existing route along Lymington Road stating this is a wider tree-lined road, and that better signage could be implemented. 

·         Mrs Rainbird was of the opinion there is a Duty of Care for the community in Torre with reference to air pollution.

Swithin Long – Support Worker at Home Palms (Speaking on behalf of the residents from Home Palms House on Brunswick Square in Torre)

·         The residents at Home Palms have perceived there has been a lack of consultation with local residents and feel the traders have been consulted with more than residents.

·         Mr Long advised the surveying carried out in Brunswick car park was for 1 day and that further surveying needs to be carried out.

·         Mr Long raised concern regarding refuse lorry that regularly parks on the roadside outside Home Palms due to a low canopy entrance.  This currently causes traffic congestion which will be increased if the reversal goes ahead.  This would also cause a problem for emergency vehicles that are often required to visit the property.

·         Residents face difficulties gaining access to the House at present and fear the problems will only get worse.

·         The residents are concerned regarding an increase in air pollution, where they already have to shut windows in the summer months and additional traffic will increase the problem that already exists.

·         The residents suggest the local traders are against the reversal of traffic flow.

·         Is the road side car park designed to cope with increased traffic?

Claire Hayward (Residents of Morgan Avenue)

·         Ms Hayward confirmed a Petition has been passed to Bill Prendergast prior to the meeting.  Ms Hayward raised concern that the proposed options will cause more problems than resolve  ...  view the full minutes text for item 195.

None

The next meeting of the Transport Working Party will be held on 25^th June 2015.

18th June 2015, 4.00pm, Meadfoot Room, Town Hall.