Issue - items at meetings - Brighton Station Gateway Progress Report

Report of the Strategic Director, Place (copy attached).

1.            That Committee notes the results of the recent public consultation on options for Brighton Station Gateway.

2.            That Committee agrees that a preferred option should be developed drawing on feedback received to date and that this is brought back to Committee for approval prior to a further round of public consultation.

10.1       The Committee considered a report of the Strategic Director, Place that outlined the results from recent feedback on design options for the Brighton Station Gateway project and sought a decision on the next steps in the process.

10.2       Councillor Robins noted that the consultation results had found that 64% of people walk to Brighton Station. He did not believe this figure to be accurate which in turn could impact upon the preferred design scheme.

10.3       The Project Manager clarified that he would provide the statistical information to Councillor Robins. These results were supported by the videos taken by the Transport team that demonstrated a greater percentage of people arriving at Brighton Station on foot. Furthermore, the design would not be based on these percentages alone but focussed on trends in the results.

10.4       Councillor Mitchell explained that she had several concerns about the project. She did not believe the consultation had been properly conducted as hard-copies had only been distributed to households within a walking distance which may have distorted the arrival results. Councillor Mitchell added that she did not believe any of designs would provide a difference. The city was growing and there needed to be bolder, longer term solution with serious consideration given to traffic interchange. Councillor Mitchell also had great concern that the Committee would have no influence over the design option on the preferred option for the final round of consultation in September. Councillor Mitchell stated her intention to abstain on a vote on the report.

10.5       Councillor Davey noted that the Transport team had experience many delays in there discussions with Network Rail and Southern Trains.

10.6       Councillor Follett stated that he understood Councillor Mitchell’s concerns however; he believed the report was honest and clear and had taken a sensible approach by representing a combination of views.

10.7       Councillor West stated that he agreed with Councillor Mitchell’s request for a bold approach. He was ward councillor for the area and felt there was a need for considerable change but it was necessary to trust officers to devise a reliable and innovative proposal. Councillor West gave London Victoria Station as an example of a bold approach to traffic interchange measures.

10.8       Councillor Janio expressed his fears for motorists who he believed had been negatively impacted by a succession of policies. He also felt that the proposals hinged upon the outcome of plans for cycle storage at the station. He asked if recommendation 2.2 could be amended so that the Committee could consider options further before going to the final stage of public consultation.

10.9       Councillor Theobald stated that he believed the traffic problems could be alleviated somewhat by addressing links from the Seven Dials area. He also the positioning of the bus stop was an extremely difficult issue.

10.10  Councillor Davey enquired as to the impact on the consultation process if a preferred option was brought back to Committee in October before going to a further round of public consultation.

10.11  The Project Manager clarified that this would add a month to two month delay to the process.

10.12  Councillor Davey moved an amendment to the recommendation 2.2 to read (shown in bold):

2.2       That Committee agrees that a preferred option should be developed drawing on feedback received to date and that this is brought back to Committee for approval prior to a further round of public consultation to agree the final layout of the Brighton Stattion Gateway scheme.

10.13  Councillor Follett formally seconded the amendment.

10.14 RESOLVED-

1.            That Committee notes the results of the recent public consultation on options for Brighton Station Gateway.

2.            That Committee agrees that a preferred option should be developed drawing on feedback received to date and that this is brought back to Committee for approval prior to a further round of public consultation.