Agenda item

To consider objections received to -  Kirklees TRO No 10 Order 2020 -  Proposed Prohibition of Driving and one way for Cross Church Street, King Street, Queen Street and Zetland Street Huddersfield.

Kirklees TRO No 11 Order 2020  - Proposed No Waiting at Any Time, No Loading at Any Time, Loading Bay and Disabled Bay restrictions for Cross Church Street, King Street, Queen Street and Zetland Street, Huddersfield

Contact: Liz Twitchett - Operational Manager, Tel: 01484 221000

RESOLVED – It was agreed, in accordance with officer recommendations, to overrule the objections to Traffic Regulation Orders for Cross Church Street, King Street, Queen Street and Zetland Street, Huddersfield, as per the reasons set out within the report.

The Committee considered a report which outlined the objections received to - Kirklees TRO No 10 Order 2020 - Proposed Prohibition of Driving and one way for Cross Church Street, King Street, Queen Street and Zetland Street Huddersfield and; Kirklees TRO No 11 Order 2020 - Proposed No Waiting at Any Time, No Loading at Any Time, Loading Bay and Disabled Bay restrictions for Cross Church Street, King Street, Queen Street and Zetland Street, Huddersfield.

The Committee was advised that the scheme has been developed for Cross Church St and Queen St, Huddersfield which is aimed at improving the streetscape for pedestrians and cyclists making this area of Town Centre safer, create a more pleasant environment to shop, eat and socialise, and enhance the public realm by:

o Increasing the available footway widths for pedestrians, and subsequently

    reduce the available carriageway width. This will naturally reduce the speed

    of any vehicles authorised to use the road

o Reducing motorised vehicle usage to reduce potential conflicts for cyclists

o Using high quality materials in both the footways and on the carriageway to

     improve the appearance of the whole area,

o Repositioning and renewing street lighting and street furniture

o Provide protection, using PAS68/69 compliant street furniture, from the

    potential of a Hostile vehicle attack

The scheme will also provide a strategic cycling link as part of the wider cycling network for the town centre, and it is a key component to delivering the aspirations of the Huddersfield Blueprint.  The scheme has secured funding via West Yorkshire Combine Authority.

The Committee was informed that two Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) had been advertised, to facilitate the changes in traffic flows, and achieve the aims of the scheme, one for moving traffic - Kirklees Council Traffic Regulation (No 10) Order 2020 and one for standing traffic Kirklees Council Traffic Regulation (no 11) Order 2020.  Both TROs were advertised from 29th June – 20th July 2020) and in response four objections were received.  In addition, on the 29^th July the Highways Department received a letter objecting to the scheme which had been signed by 22 of the 25 businesses that operate along Cross Church St. The signatures included Huddersfield Taxis, who had formally objected, independently to the TRO, via their Solicitors.

The Committee heard representations from the objectors who outlined their reasons for opposing the proposed scheme.  In summary, the reasons included:

-       Prohibiting traffic from driving on Queen St, will mean that staff at a local dental practice will no longer access their private car park

-       restrictions placed on Cross Church St and Queen St will have an impact on access to the Packhorse service yard due to the proposed vehicle access restrictions on Cross Church Street, and therefore will

impact on how the Centre and shops within can operate and trade

-       Huddersfield Taxis Limited, who operate out of premises on Cross Church St, raised concern via their legal representative that the restrictions placed on Cross Church St and Queen St will have a severe impact on how they conduct their business

The Committee having considered all the information presented acknowledged that businesses will have concerns, however, was assured that council officers will continue to work with and talk to businesses to address and alleviate their concerns.

RESOLVED – It was agreed, in accordance with officer recommendations, to overrule the objections to Traffic Regulation Orders for Cross Church Street, King Street, Queen Street and Zetland Street, Huddersfield, as per the reasons set out within the report.