Issue - meetings

The Cabinet considered recommendations made by the Scrutiny Steering Board based on the report of the Task Group set up to scrutinise issues relating to Air Quality. The Leader acknowledged the detailed work undertaken by the Task Group together with the excellent quality of the final report. He thanked the Chairman of the Task Group for its efforts in undertaking the exercise. The Chairman of the Task Group referred to the thorough exercise which had been undertaken, and highlighted the consultation which had taken place with a variety of individuals and agencies as part of the scrutiny process. Following detailed discussion, it was

RESOLVED:

(a)       that recommendation 1 relating to a request to the County Council for the introduction of Low Emission Zones (LEZ) to cover certain roads in the District be deferred until further information is available, following the introduction of such zones in other areas of the Country and the implications for the adjacent road network; 

(b)       that the Council remain committed to improving Bromsgrove Railway Station including the Park and Ride facility;

(c)        that it be noted that whilst the Cabinet is minded to support the future recommendations of the Public Transport – Buses Scrutiny Task Group which relate to the improvement of local bus services, full consideration will need to be given on receipt of the recommendations and this will be subject to any financial implications;

(d)       that a request be made to the appropriate authority to alter the traffic signals on the A38 North into Bromsgrove (including the possibility of part-time signals) to reduce exit blocking and improve traffic flow near the Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) and that the area be monitored by the Environmental Health Team and the appropriate external agencies before and after the alterations;

(e)       that the Environmental Health Team be requested to monitor the AQMA before and after the amendment of the yellow box markings on the roundabout at M42 junction 1 at gridlock to investigate whether there has been an reduction in air pollution and that the police be requested to monitor the misuse of the yellow boxes;

(f)         that the Highways Agency be requested to monitor the area of the M42 Westbound to M5 to find out if the scheme involving changes to signage and road markings has been successful in reducing the number of incidents;

(g)       that the Town Centre Redevelopment Steering Group (LSP Theme Group) be requested to consider air pollution caused by traffic congestion when looking at redeveloping the town. This to include considering the possibility of vehicles accessing The Strand from Birmingham Road and investigating, in partnership with the County Council,  whether it may help decrease traffic congestion and therefore lower air pollution at this location;

(h)        that the County Council be requested to review the timing of the traffic signals located at the top end of the High Street near the Strand with a view to reducing the build up of stationary traffic and, that if this is agreed, the County Council and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 122