Agenda item

To consider the report and recommendations of the Environment & Economy Select Committee Scrutiny review into Local Bus Services following the collapse of the ZEBRA Electric Bus Scheme for Stevenage.

The Committee received the report and recommendations of the Environment and Economy Select Committee Scrutiny Review into local Bus Services following the collapse of the ZEBRA Electric Bus Scheme for Stevenage.

The Scrutiny Officer advised that the proposed recommendations would be presented to the Executive Portfolio Holder for Economy and Transport, Councillor Lloyd Briscoe and with partners at HCC Highways Unit and Arriva Bus Company with a response to be provided within two months of the publishing of the report.

The following comments and responses were made at the meeting:

·         Recommendation 9 (i) – in respect of the pedestrian access from the Bus Station through to the shops, it was agreed that the route across the front of the Leisure Centre was clear although additional signage could help people to use this route rather than to the side of Daneshill House/Registry Office.  It was suggested that the perception that the Daneshill House route being the quicker route should be challenged;

·         Recommendation 9 (iii) – in relation to the location of Shopmobility, it was noted that it was the decision of Shopmobility and not the Council that they locate in the Indoor market rather than the bus station as they wanted to link in with Age Concern and their presence in the market;

·         Recommendation 9 (iv) – in relation to the additional seating, it was noted that there was both seating in the indoor and outdoor areas of the new bus station, along the walking route both in front of the Leisure Centre and on the section from the end of the Station ramp towards PaddyPower.  Additional seating was also available in Event Island and then in the Town Centre itself.  The alternative route alongside Swingate had no place for seating and should not be encouraged as it was a busy road with traffic fumes.

·         A Member raised the issue of the proposed circular bus route between Roaring Meg, Leisure Park, Old Town and the Town Centre.  Similar schemes operated in many places and the Council should not lose sight of this.  The Council should be looking to identify any funding opportunities for this and it should be included in the recommendations of the Review;

·         The consideration of a spine route was also mentioned going from one side of the Town to another rather than all routes terminating in the Town Centre;

·         Concern was expressed regarding the opening hours of the Bus Station and that the Council needed to ensure a safe and comfortable user experience;

·         Recommendation 8 – it was suggested that speed humps should be included in the list of traffic calming measures and that as well as reviewing past planning applications, Planning Officers and Planning and Development Committee Members should also inform the planning process with regard to traffic calming measures and the impact they have on buses.

It was RESOLVED

1.    that the Scrutiny Officer, in consultation with the Chair of the Environment and Economy Committee produce amended recommendations based on the bullet points listed above and circulate to members of the Committee for their agreement to the changes;

2.    That the amended recommendations be presented to the Executive Portfolio Holder for Economy and Transport, Councillor Lloyd Briscoe and partners at HCC Highways Unit and Arriva Bus Company with a response to be provided within two months of the publishing of the report.