Subject: Re-evaluating the current scheme for Valley Gardens Stage 3

Notice of Motion from an Independent Member

Date of meeting: 18 January 2022

Proposer: Councillor Fishleigh

Seconder: Councillor Janio

Ward(s) affected: All

This Council notes that there are a multitude of problems with the current plans that need to be resolved prior to work starting on VG3 including this small sample:

● The economic and health consequences of creating a five-lane road on the east side of the Old Steine directly in front of two city centre medical surgeries, homes and businesses

● The disbenefit of narrowing pavements by more than three metres

● How the bus loop works without a confusing, dangerous and slow filter system against oncoming traffic

● How buses and other vehicles will share lanes without causing vehicles to have to switch lanes or wait for passengers to get on and off

● Pedestrians have been placed in direct conflict with the new two-way cycle lane across the whole scheme including at Palace Pier and the planned new entrance to Pavilion Gardens.

This Council agrees that:

1. VG3 will happen but it is our responsibility to ensure that the scheme is implemented in the way that works for all users - and that there are no oversights or unintended consequences.

This Council agrees to:

Request the ET&S Committee to appoint a third-party and genuinely independent traffic consultant to evaluate the scheme as it stands at the moment. This consultant should then meet with all the stakeholders to hear their concerns about the current scheme and prepare a report that will be evaluated at a future full council.

Supporting Information:

● Valley Gardens is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to change the way people and vehicles move around this key transport corridor

● The plans have evolved over time - everything previously assumed has been changed by COVID and Brexit and should be sensibly re-evaluated

● Phase 3 has always been the controversial part of the Valley Gardens scheme

● Calls for an Environmental Impact Assessment have repeatedly been denied

● Responsibility for VG3 has now been delegated to officers

● The city has experienced many unintentional problems brought about by unmonitored assumptions and miscalculations - notably the remodelling of North Street has directly contributed to making it one of the ten most polluted roads in the UK, damaging the health of residents and visitors alike

● Displaced traffic and punitive fines are causing distress and hardship to residents, visitors, workers and business owners. These have resulted from the poor planning and implementation of Phases 1 and 2

● Despite repeated officer claims that the LEP funding for VG3 would be withdrawn if the money wasn't drawn down and work completed by March 2021 this did not prove to be the case. The LEP retains absolute discretion on the drawdown of funds.