Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Sustainable Stockport.

This report provides an overview of the information provided to the all-Party Working Group on slower speed initiatives, a summary of their discussions and a set of recommendations relating to the issues raised.

The Cabinet is recommended to approve the recommendations of the all-party working group and scrutiny committee as detailed in the report.

Officer contact: Sue Stevenson on 0161-474-4351 or email: sue.stevenson@stockport.gov.uk

The Cabinet Member for Sustainable Stockport (Councillor Sheila Bailey) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an overview of the information provided to the all-Party Working Group on slower speed initiatives, a summary of their discussions and a set of recommendations relating to the issues raised.

The Cabinet Member for Sustainable Stockport stated that it was important that the report was included in the Climate Action Now (CAN) Strategy as part of this strategy involved reductions in the speed of vehicles as a means of encouraging walking and cycling.  It was stated that the report would be referred to the Environment Working Party to ensure that it could be embedded within the CAN Strategy and the Development Framework Working Party to inform the development of the Local Plan.

RESOLVED - That approval be given to the package of recommendations detailed in Section 24 and 25 of the report.

To consider a report of the Director of Place Management.

There has been considerable interest from Councillors in the concept of slower speed initiatives to encourage walking and cycling and improve road safety.  Councillors have been concerned both about speeding and encouraging people to stay within the speed limit across the highway network and also about considering appropriate speeds for different areas and in particular encouraging 20mph and reduced vehicle activity in residential areas.

This report provides an overview of the information provided to the all-Party Working Group on slower speed initiatives, a summary of their discussions and a set of recommendations relating to the issues raised.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to comment on and note the report.

Officer contact: Sue Stevenson on 0161-474-4351 or email: sue.stevenson@stockport.gov.uk

The Director of Place Management submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an overview of the information provided to the all-Party Working Group on slower speed initiatives, a summary of their discussions and a set of recommendations relating to the issues raised.

The Cabinet Member for Inclusive Communities (Councillor Amanda Peers) attended the meeting to respond to questions from the Scrutiny Committee.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         There was a clear demonstration of political support for 20mph zones in residential areas.

·         The report set out the Council’s ambition with regard to slower speeds and embeds this in existing council policies such as

·         There was a commitment that this matter would be the subject of annual reporting to the Scrutiny Committee.

·         Where lower speed limits were implemented, they needed to be done with credibility and believability with a reasonable expectation that people would comply.

·         It was acknowledged that there was a funding challenge with the widespread implementation of 20mph zones.

·         Concern was expressed that there had not been a significant change in the number of accidents or casualties over a 10 year period which suggested there was a strong justification for action to be taken.

·         In response to a question, it was stated that there was no automatic assumption that vertical traffic calming devices were necessary for a 20mph speed zone, however any such scheme needed to be self-enforcing through measures appropriate to that specific location.

·         Reduced speed limits were an effective tool to bring down average speeds on residential roads.

·         Greater Manchester Police were actively looking to restart the community speedwatch initiative.

·         It was important that the Cabinet took swift action to implement the recommendations contained within the report.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the Cabinet be recommended to adopt an ambitious timescale for the implementation of the recommendations contained within the report.