Minutes of Sharrow Nether Edge Broomhill Area Panel

SHARROW/NETHER EDGE/BROOMHILL AREA PANEL


Meeting held 4th March, 2004, at the Mother of God Church, Abbeydale Road

PRESENT:		Councillors Jean Cromar, Basheer Khan, Mohammad Nazir, Ali Qadar, Paul Scriven, Janice Sidebottom and Alan Whitehouse.

		Also in attendance:-
		Mushrat Javaid	-	Area Support Officer

		Richard Day	)
		Paul Fell	)	Development Services
		Gemma Shepherd	)
		Ben Benest	)

		John Turner	-	Committee Secretariat

		There were approximately 52 members of the public and representatives from local community groups in attendance.

............

1.	APPOINTMENT OF CHAIR
	RESOLVED: That in the absence of the Chair of the Panel (Councillor Andrew White), Councillor Ali Qadar be appointed Chair of the meeting.

2.	APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE FROM MEMBERS OF THE PANEL
	Apologies for absence were received from the Chair (Councillor Andrew White) and Councillor Patricia White.

3.	AREA CO-ORDINATOR’S REPORT
	The Panel received and noted a report of the Area Co-ordinator containing (a) responses to questions which had not been answered at previous meetings of the Panel, (b) a report which had been submitted to the South Planning and Highways Area Board at its meeting held on 23rd February, 2004, seeking authority to take legal action to pursue the removal of student accommodation signs and (c) a summary of planning applications received in respect of development in the area.

4.	PUBLIC QUESTIONS AND PETITIONS
	Members of the public asked questions and the following responses were given:-

	Q. Was it true that Gatefield House, Abbeydale Road, was to be demolished? Was the building listed and was it situated in the Nether Edge Conservation Area?

	R. A planning application had been received for the demolition of Gatefield House, together with an application for outline planning consent for residential development on the site. The building is not listed and not in the Nether Edge Conservation Area.

	Q. Had the Council any plans with regard to the future use of the garages on Broom Close, off London Road?

	R. A report had been submitted to the relevant Area Housing Committee with regard to the future of the garages, and it had been agreed the site would be disposed of, with a condition that it be earmarked for shops, with accommodation above. It had also been agreed that the green space at the rear of the garages would be retained.

	Q. Residents in the Abbeydale Road/London Road area were still experiencing problems following the closure of Dr. Alam's surgery. People were having to travel long distances to the new GP surgery in the area and problems were being experienced with regard to the appointment system being operated at the surgery. What action was to be taken to remedy the problems?

	R. This was not a Council issue, but Councillor Jean Cromar, who was a non-executive member of the Sheffield South West Primary Care Trust, indicated that she would take this matter up with the Trust. Someone had recently been employed by the PCT to look specifically at health issues in the Panel's area.

	Q. There were problems with regard to car parking on Aizlewood Road, following the closure of the car park behind the Champion Hire shop. The shop owners and customers were parking on the road, causing problems for local residents and drivers using that road. What had happened to the car park behind Champion Hire?

	R. An application had been received by the Council in respect of the purchase of part of the car park, which had resulted in a reduction in car parking spaces in that area.

	Q. Could action be taken in respect of the problems being caused by customers visiting the Technicar car stereo shop, as well as staff of the shop working on cars on Southcroft Gardens, in that residents living on Southcroft Gardens and Frederick Road were often unable to park and had problems accessing their properties due to double parking?

	R. Officers in Development Services would discuss this matter with their colleagues in Housing Services. The Police would also be made aware of the problems, and it would be their responsibility to take any necessary enforcement action.

	Q. Could action be taken in respect of the problems being caused by cars stopping to drop off or pick up those residents of the new residential development on the site of the former Wards Brewery on the grounds that they often stopped on double yellow lines, causing a danger to pedestrians and other drivers?

	R. Officers would speak to the Police to see if enforcement action could be stepped up in this area.

	Q. Could the one-way sign in respect of part of Neill Road, which was removed during filming at the location on site four years ago, be reinstated?

	R. Officers would look into this request.

	Q. Cars were often parking at those locations where dropped kerbs had been provided to enable wheelchair users to cross Abbeydale Road. Could enforcement action be taken against perpetrators?

	R. Officers would speak to the Police on this issue.

5.	MINUTES OF LAST MEETING
	The minutes of the meeting of the Area Panel held on 5th February, 2004, were approved as a correct record, subject to the amendment of Item 5, by the substitution of the words "local community" for the words "Health Authority" in the second line of the response provided to a question relating to a Healthy Living Centre for Sharrow, and, arising therefrom, it was reported that (a) South Yorkshire Fire and Civil Defence Authority had agreed to keep Ringinglow Fire Station open for a further year, with its future being decided after that time and (b) the application to convert the Chapel at the General Cemetery to four flats, had been withdrawn.

6.	TRAFFIC ISSUES IN NETHER EDGE AND THE ABBEYDALE CORRIDOR
	Nether Edge Neighbourhood Group - A Community Perspective
	Richard Ward, Tony Frascina and Kate Day, Nether Edge Neighbourhood Group (NENG), reported on the Group's Traffic Working Party’s proposals in connection with improving the traffic problems in the Nether Edge area.
	Mr. Ward stated that the aim of the proposed improvements would hopefully reduce traffic volumes in Nether Edge and encourage alternative sustainable transport solutions. He stated that the main issues for the community were that there was too much rat-running traffic and cross-City links, too much traffic generated within the area and inadequate public transport links with other areas of the City. The Group had specific concerns with the volume of commuter traffic using Nether Edge to avoid principal routes, and had recognised that Brincliffe Edge Road was a conduit for this traffic. Following assessment of the traffic issues, the Group had proposed a tidal flow system for the area and had gained over 500 signatures of support as part of a petition which had been presented to the Council around three years ago. Following this, the Group had been promised by officers that a report containing proposed improvements to assist traffic flow in the area, taking into consideration the suggestions made by the Group, would be presented to the relevant Planning and Highways Area Board in March, 2003. However, this had not materialised and the Group had been left frustrated. A map was exhibited showing the proposed improvements, which included the provision of two "No Entry" signs on both sides of Brincliffe Edge Road, indicating that there should be no entry to vehicles to Brincliffe Edge Road during 7.30 a.m. and 9.30 a.m., from Ecclesall Road or Archer Lane and no entry for vehicles from Brincliffe Edge Road between 3.30 p.m. and 6.30 a.m., to Ecclesall Road or Archer Lane, both indicating that local residents leaving or entering Nether Edge, will not be affected. Other proposals included the provision of a signs at the bottom of Union Road, Nether Edge Road and at the west end of Brincliffe Edge Road, warning drivers of the restrictions ahead and a “No Left Turn” sign would be placed on Abbeydale Road, at its junction with Marden Road, preventing traffic from accessing Nether Edge from Abbeydale Road in the mornings.
	Kate Day referred to the traffic survey which the Group would be undertaking on Monday, 15th March, 2004, and which followed similar surveys undertaken in 1994 and 2001. She stated that the survey undertaken in 2001 had shown a growth in volume of traffic since 1994. In addition to the survey, Ms. Day reported that the Group aimed to monitor development issues, share information and expertise, build strategic alliances for action and help to educate for change.

	The Sheaf Valley and Related Issues
	Richard Day and Paul Fell, Development Services, reported on the Council's plans in respect of traffic issues in the Sheaf Valley and the Abbeydale Corridor.
	Mr. Day referred to the Plan 4 Transport in the Sheaf Valley, which included parts of Abbeydale Road, specifically relating to proposals to deal with traffic and congestion issues, and speeding up bus journey times on the stretch of London Road between St. Mary's Gate and Abbeydale Road. He also referred to the Local Transport Plan, which provides the Council with Government funding for traffic schemes throughout the City. The terms of this funding were that the Council used it towards meeting a number of targets, such as reducing the numbers of accidents and increasing cycling trips and journeys on foot and by public transport. Details of Local Transport Plan funded proposals to contribue towards these targets were to be delivered, as a means of consultation, to all affected addresses on London Road, and details would be exhibited at a number of community access points in the area.
	Mr. Day referred to two parts of London Road for which there were specific proposals, which included the bus gate between Boston Street and St. Mary’s Gate, at which there were delays for buses crossing the ring road due to cars backing up whilst waiting to join the ring road, and it was intended that vehicular flow would be automatically monitored and the traffic signals altered accordingly to keep the entrance to the bus gate clear of queuing traffic when buses were approaching it. The other issue related to two of the sections of London Road on which there were on-street car parking spaces, which were outside the former Dixons garage and on the stretch between John Street and Bennett Street. When cars were parked on both sides of London Road on these sections, it was difficult for large vehicles, such as lorries and buses, to pass freely and often resulted in vehicles having to wait on one side to allow other vehicles through. Due to the lack of available width for road widening, the Council struggled to see an alternative solution to removing these two short sections of on-street parking. Mr. Day also reported that it was proposed to introduce a two hour maximum waiting restriction on the car park in the triangle between Alderson Road, London Road and Woodhead Road, to create a better turnover of spaces for use by shoppers in an area where there was clearly pressure on on-street parking.
	Paul Fell reported on the progress in connection with the Area Panel’s Small Highway Schemes Budget, indicating that work in connection with the schemes was progressing and that the schemes would be implemented shortly. He also stated that the Westbourne Road/Southbourne Road Traffic Management Scheme was to commence sometime during late April/early May, 2004.
	Mr. Bensa, a local resident, referred on a number of traffic problems he and other residents in the area had identified, referring to the problems caused by drivers ignoring the clearway restrictions with effect from 4.00 p.m. to 6.00 p.m. on London Road and Abbeydale Road, drivers parking at bus stops in the area, problems caused by drivers parking on the west side of Abbeydale Road, making the new central lane for traffic turning right into Wolseley Road, at its junction with Abbeydale Road.
	The following questions were asked and responses given:-

	Q. How does the Council's Priority Assessment Process work?

	R. Officers had to assess a number of highway schemes, and prioritise them using a number of criteria, such as ability to improve traffic flow, reducing congestion and reducing accident rates, and mark each set of criteria on a score basis, and recommend those receiving the highest score for approval and implementation. In some cases, officers may recommend the implementation of a scheme, and when it comes to looking at all the various schemes, schemes in other parts of the City may score higher, and therefore, would be prioritised.

	Q. Why isn't more consideration given to enforcing the clearway restrictions in respect of bus lanes and bus gates? Consideration needs to be given to access on bus lanes and bus gates by taxis, who provide a public transport service as well as the buses.

	R. Enforcement in respect of traffic offences regarding bus lanes and bus gates is carried out by the Police, who, like the Council, only have limited amounts of funding, and therefore, have staffing difficulties with regard to enforcement. It was hoped that new legislation would be introduced to enable cameras to be sited on the side of roads monitoring use of bus lanes. It was also proposed that a joint agreement between the South Yorkshire Police and the South Yorkshire District Councils would result in funding being identified for a dedicated Police Officer to undertake bus priority enforcement work throughout South Yorkshire.

	Q. What action did the Council propose to undertake to reduce the volume of traffic in the Nether Edge area, particularly on the basis that during the morning and evening rush hours, there were now traffic jams on the "rat-runs" in the area?

	R. The Council was continuously monitoring the problems of increasing traffic levels, but it was acknowledged that rising traffic levels was a nationwide problem, and not just pertaining to Sheffield.


	Q. Had any progress been made in connection with the decriminalisation of parking offences, which would enable local Councils to undertake enforcement work?

	R. Whilst progress was being made with regard to moving towards the decriminalisation of car parking offences, it was a lengthy process, and would hopefully be completed by 2005. This would then give the Council powers to enforce parking offences.

	Q. Had any progress been made on the request which had been made at a number of previous Area Panel meetings, for the removal of the mini-roundabout at the junction of Empire Road/Woodstock Road/ Tavistock Road, and the consequent replacement at this junction of improved pedestrian crossing facilities? Drivers often ignored the roundabout by travelling over it and it had become a focal point for youths to congregate or cycle round. Local residents were getting very frustrated as this matter had been raised on a number of occasions, but they had still not received a response from the Council.

	R. The request for a pedestrian crossing to replace the mini-roundabout will be placed on the Assessment Register by Development Services, and will be assessed, along with many other similar requests under the Priority Assessment Process.

	Q. Why had the Council removed the pelican crossing at the junction of Empire Road and Abbeydale Road? There appeared to be no rationale for removing the crossing.

	R. The crossing had been removed down to the junction of Abbeydale Road and Bedale Road as part of the overall design of the road junctions in that area in connection with the new road link into the Broadfield Retail Park. The replacement crossing is in place, but is unfortunately awaiting a technical problem to be resolved before it can be switched on. During this period, the temporary pelican crossing outside the former cinema will remain in operation.

	Q. Could the Council give serious consideration to improving the pedestrian crossing facilities at the junction of Abbeydale Road and Bannerdale Road? There were two schools in the vicinity and the present pedestrian crossing facilities were inadequate for that busy junction.

	R. Officers would consider this request.

	Q. If traffic was generated by new developments, why did the Council continue approving applications for planning permission in respect of large residential developments, when it was obvious that such development was likely to generate more traffic, and create further traffic and car parking problems for local residents?


	R. The Council always gave serious consideration to the impact of new developments on traffic in the area. The Council acted on guidance from the Government in that all Councils should encourage development on brownfield sites, and a number of the recent planning applications in respect of the flats in and around the City Centre were on such sites.

	Q. Why couldn't the Council introduce a no tolerance policy when drivers were parking in bus lanes and at bus stops, and, in conjunction with the Police, arrange for vehicles to be towed away?

	R. There was a need for car parking offences to be decriminalised until the Council could give this consideration.

	Q. Did the Council still have a target to reduce traffic levels to what they were in 1999?

	R. Yes.

	Q. Why couldn't the Council request that developers include plans for underground car parking as part of major residential developments, particularly those in built up areas?

	R. The scope of the Council’s powers were constrained by national planning policy/guidance.

	The following comments were made:-

	· Despite several letters and telephone calls to officers in Development Services, regarding their proposals, NENG had not received responses from officers, which had left them very frustrated.

	· Speed humps in the area have helped to slow traffic, but have not necessarily helped to reduce the volume of traffic.

	· Central Government and local authorities needed to identify funding to implement highway schemes on the basis of road safety, particularly when children were concerned. In some areas, it was so dangerous that children were unable to play out on the streets.

	· More priority should be given to improve public transport in order to encourage more people to use it.

	· Many drivers were ignoring the “No-Right -Turn” from Empire Road onto Abbeydale Road.

	· There was no evidence to show that the Council was attempting to reduce the volume of traffic on the roads, but it appeared that it was only taking action to improve traffic flow.


	· There was a need for more buses on some routes, particularly during the morning and evening rush hours, as buses were often full.

	· Major problems had been caused to the bus service following deregulation and until the Council took control of the buses again, it would be very difficult to improve the situation.

	· The owner of the continental food shop at the top of Bedale Road, at its junction with Abbeydale Road, was having problems with regard to taking deliveries to his shop on the basis that there was nowhere to park near the shop.

	· There were major problems with regard to car parking on Cemetery Road, which had been created by a number of developments in the area. There needed to be more strict rules with regard to the number of car parking spaces developers had to create within the developments, instead of forcing more cars onto the surrounding streets.

	· There were particular problems with regard to traffic flow and car parking in the Empire Road/Abbeydale Road area. It would be helpful if issues regarding this area alone could be discussed at a future meeting of the Area Panel.

	Richard Day and Paul Fell stated that they would look into the issues raised as part of the above comments and provide responses thereon, through the Area Co-ordinator.

	RESOLVED: That (a) the information reported, together with the comments now made and responses given, be noted; and
	(b) the thanks of the Panel be conveyed to Richard Day and Paul Fell, Development Services and the representatives of the Nether Edge Neighbourhood Group, for the presentations now made.

7.	OUTSTANDING REPORTS
	The Panel noted that there were no outstanding reports required for submission to future meetings.

8.	DATE AND VENUE OF NEXT MEETING
	The Panel noted that its next meeting would be held on Thursday, 1st April, 2004, from 7.00 p.m. to 9.00 p.m. at the Salvation Army Citadel, Psalter Lane.

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