Decision details

The Executive considered a report in respect of a 12 month review of the Council’s Future Town Future Transport Strategy.

The following comments were made by Members:

·        the Assistant Director (Planning & Regulation) was requested to endeavour to arrange for meetings to take place with appropriate disability groups in order to consult them and seek their ideas on how to overcome practical difficulties experienced by them in transport-related matters;

·        the Assistant Director (Planning & Regulation) undertook to highlight the issue of e-scooters as part of the Sustainable Travel Town initiative, with a view to urging the Government to introduce greater regulation of these vehicles, in order that they can be safely used on Stevenage’s extensive cycleway network; and

·        the Assistant Director (Planning & Regulation) was requested to ensure that disabled access issues were fully taken into consideration as part of the planning process, in order to avoid the need for the retrofitting of disabled facilities after the completion of projects; and

·        the Chair clarified that the Council had been able to rebuff attempts by Hertfordshire County Council to introduce on-street parking charges in the Old Town through the Sustainable Travel Town initiative.  During 2020-2022, SBC had provided time-limited free parking in the former Waitrose car park to support local businesses recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic.

It was RESOLVED:

1.          That the progress with projects included within the Future Town, Future Transport Strategy be noted.

2.          That it be noted that the Future Town, Future Transport Strategy will continue to be included within the quarterly Future Town, Future Council monitoring reports.

Reason for Decision:  As contained in report.

Other Options considered:  As contained in report.