[To receive a presentation on the Public Realm].
[Presentation is marked: To Follow].
Minutes:
The Service Lead for Place Making City Housing
and Environment summarised the Public Realm Improvement Programme
background information which began as the Connected Places Strategy
in 2017. It went through multiple consultation periods and
phases, and suffered from a delay due to
Covid-19. Main works on the site started in November 2021.
The Head of Network Management for City Housing and Environment
gave an overview of the City Centre Destination plan, a copy of the presentation is attached to the signed
minutes. The presentation set out road traffic management
changes, pedestrianised area, events and more. Cycling routes and
bus routes were displayed on a map for the Panel to view. Disabled
parking, new and current, as well as taxi ranks and bays were also shown.
The Service Lead for Place Making City Housing and Environment
explained the purpose of the development was to improve links
between the City centre and future
developments, improve cycling and pedestrian access in and around
the city, create green spaces and improve the cities appearance. It
also aimed to reduce pollution and traffic, as well as support
local businesses with the creation of new event spaces. Phase 1,
Victoria Street and Phase 3, Civic Halls developments were
currently active and ongoing, their original dates of estimated
completion were February 2023 and October 2022; however they were now both set to finish in April
2023. The later completion dates were caused by a variety of
issues, the Service Lead for Place Making City Housing and
Environment explained some of these to the Panel, which included
material delays, adjacent works and poor
ground conditions.
The Service Lead for Place Making City Housing and Environment then
took the Panel through conceptual photos of what the events areas
would look like. She added that the raised section in the modelling
photo was no longer being implemented as it was not friendly to
vehicular movement. Photos were then displayed showing the Panel
the progress of all on-going works. The Service Lead for Place
Making City Housing and Environment
informed the Councillors about
the Council’s contractor, Eurovia, and listed numerous Social Value related
projects they had previously assisted with.
A Councillor asked if the Council had planned
to make sure the Victoria Street phase 1 event area materials would
be suitable for long term usage by heavy vehicles for events and
would not wear down quickly. The Councillor also believed more
development should be done in Queen’s
street and asked if this could be done.
The Director of City Housing & Environment stated that he
believed the construction techniques and materials being used in
the phase 1 area were future proofed, and that a degree of back up
materials has been stocked in case of repairs and maintenance. He
agreed with the Councillors comments about Queen’s Street but
stated that Phase 2 had not yet begun and was subject to budgetary
restrictions which limit what can and cannot be done with this
project.
A Councillor welcomed all the information provided to the Panel but
said he was concerned to see only one cycle lane in each concept
photo and asked if cyclists could be given more
consideration.
A Panel Member praised everything that had been show and gave his
full support to it.
The Chair thanked the Officers for their presentation and praised
their efforts.