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Written 25/01/03
Bognor Regis Home Zone and Low Speed Zone Project
Community Participation Group
Notes of Community Participation Group Meeting No. 5, held on
08/01/03
The following notes reflect the main points discussed and agreed at the
above meeting.
Those Present:
| Name | Organisation/Role |
|---|
| Guy Parfect | West Sussex County Council |
| Kirsty Routledge | West Sussex County Council |
| Kim Lampitt | Social Research Associates |
| Maxine Beuret | Social Research Associates |
| Andrew Clark | Temporary Chairman |
| Martin LeGrand | Temporary Secretary |
| Vince McCabe | Resident |
| David Benham | Resident |
| Peter Dye | Resident |
| Isabella Cobby | Resident |
| Fiona Mosley | Resident |
| John Robertson | Resident |
| Yvonne Robertson (arrived during meeting) | Resident |
| Jez Rogers | Resident |
| Alan Walker | Resident |
| Pauline Williams | Resident |
1. Matters Arising
- The notes of the previous meeting were agreed.
2. Committee Voting Process
- It was reported that a newsletter is to be distributed to all homes within the proposed Home Zone/20 mph zone on 9th January. Enclosed in this letter will be a voting card enabling people to vote for CPG committee members for the next six months.
- The names on the voting card are those who nominated themselves at an earlier meeting, although there is space for respondents to add their own names, as it is proposed that two additional members be nominated.
- Andrew reported that Jackie West has had to stand down from the position of temporary vice chairperson, but that Helen Lofthouse is happy to remain on the committee if she is voted in.
- The results of this process will be published in the next newsletter. A suggestion was made that photos of those voted onto the committee could be published in this newsletter.
3. Survey Results and Newsletter
- The newsletter will summarise what has happened to date, and inform residents of the proposals that have been made on the location of the Home Zone and 20 mph zone.
- Kim reported on the survey results, explaining that there is strong support for traffic reduction measures in the area, and that the speed of traffic on Hawthorn Road and Collyer Road have come out as important issues.
- Every street in the proposed zone had surveys carried out in some of the houses.
- Not much support was shown for more shops or businesses.
- No houses outside of the zone were surveyed.
- A question was raised on whether the Fire Service is being consulted as part of the process, and it was explained that members of all emergency services are on the steering group, and are being fully involved.
4. Proposed Home Zone and Low Speed Zone
- The group were informed that the proposed Home Zone area is to be most of Gravits Lane and part of Ivydale Road.
- The group queried the size of the zone, and it was explained that the funding that had been awarded would enable roughly 400 m of full Home Zone, limiting the scheme to the area proposed.
- It was stressed however that the surrounding streets were to be included in the 20 mph zone, and would still be receiving traffic speed reduction measures.
- A discussion took place on why Gravits Lane has been chosen for the Home Zone rather than other roads in the area, e.g. Frith Road.
- It was explained that the decision had come from the results of the various surveys and the planning day.
- There are also certain criteria that have been laid down by Government over what can and cannot be included in a Home Zone, for example, they cannot be on a bus route, where there is a large amount of through traffic, or where traffic volumes exceed 100 cars per hour.
- As access to the local schools are gained via Frith Road; it would make it very difficult for the Home Zone to be built in this road. It is important that access to the school by school buses etc. is maintained.
- The roads that are to be dealt with as priority in the 20 mph zone are listed in the newsletter. The roads shown in yellow on the plan will also receive treatment, but will not receive such high priority as those listed in the box below in the newsletter.
- No designs have been made for any of the roads at this stage, but those included in the 20 mph zone could expect to see features such as speed cushions/humps, re-arrangement of junctions, etc. The types of features for each road will be decided in consultation with residents.
- It was generally felt by the group that along with the traffic speed reduction measures that will take place in the 20 mph zone, they would like to see environmental improvements as well, e.g. planting, trees, lighting etc.
- A request was made for some of the roads to become one way, to which the group were informed that all suggestions made could be considered as no designs have yet been made.
- The issue of converting people's front gardens into parking was raised, but it was pointed out that it would not be possible to enforce people to do this.
- It was reported that another accident has occurred on the Collyer Avenue/Westloats Lane roundabout, causing damage to a wall.
- It was stressed that the roads that are to be included in the 20 mph zone rather than the Home Zone will still have safety work carried out in them.
5. Feedback from Schools' Meeting - 28.11.02
- KR gave feedback on the schools' meeting that had been held at Michael Ayres School on 28~ November.
- She reported that a representative from each of the schools, except for Nyewood Infant School, had been able to attend.
- All of the schools had shown support for the scheme in principle, although some specific issues had been raised, mainly over access. It was stressed that access must be maintained for school buses and coaches.
- It was agreed that it would be a good idea for each school to have a representative, but that only two representatives should attend the steering group meetings, one from the Community College and one representing the infant and junior schools.
- The notes from all steering group meetings are to be sent to each school representative. Each school is also to be sent a copy of the planning day video.
- KR reported that a discussion had taken place on the reasons why many parents chose to drive their children to school. These included trying to prevent truancy and genuine concerns over personal safety and road safety. There was also a concern about walking home in the early evening during winter months, even amongst some of the older children.
- The involvement of school children in the scheme had taken place, with the suggestion being made that in the case of the junior schools, the school councils could get involved, It was mentioned that some children have been using the subject of the Home Zone in letter writing exercises.
- Overall, the meeting had been very positive, with a great deal of support being shown for the scheme.
6. Next Steps
- The issue of a lack of youth representation on the CRC was raised, with some CPG members voicing concerns over this.
- KL reported that he had discussed this with the Community College, who have said that he can have a one off meeting with one of their youth groups.
- AC and VM suggested that they could speak to the youth club to try to encourage some of the youths to attend.
- Concern was expressed over the lack of street representation on the group.
- ML reported that he had sent written invitations to the meeting to 35 residents who had put their names down to be representatives, but that not many had turned up.
- A further issue was raised about lack of business representation. KL reported that he had visited roughly 30 businesses in the area when the original surveys had been carried out, but a disappointing response had been received. Although many had been happy to chat about the scheme, and had given verbal support, they had not been willing to get involved further.
- The newsletter and CPG voting cards will be distributed to the area on
9th January, with the letter and invite to the residents in the Home Zone streets getting delivered the following day.
- It was suggested that it would be useful to have a few representatives from the CPC at the street meeting, AC, VM, ML and JR agreed to come along.
- The group were informed that if little support was shown for the Home Zone in Gravits Lane, Essex Road would be approached.
- Workshop sessions are to be held in March for the Home Zone streets, and there will be a parallel design and consultation process for the 20 mph zone in the spring/summer.
- The group were invited to give feedback/suggestions on the consultation process.
7. Achievements from 2002
- The achievements and progress that had been made on the scheme during 2002 were listed.
8. A.O.B.
- Some concern was again expressed that more people need to volunteer to become street representatives, as people do not want to find themselves having to take on three or four streets because representation is low.
- CR suggested that we wait to see the outcome of the CPG voting slips, as space has been left on this for additional members to be added.
- He reported that streets would be contacted on a street by street basis during the design stages of the 20 mph zone.
- A press release is to go out shortly to back up the leaflet.
9. Date of Next Meeting
- Wednesday 19th February 2002, Westloats Lane Community Centre, 7.00 pm
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