Issue - meetings

The Committee received a report from the Asset Manager.

 

The report outlined SAC approved a project for the creation of a Trim Trail and Scooter Park at the Accordia development off Brooklands Avenue 13 January 2014.

 

At a previous South Area Committee Open Forum, members of the public had queried progress on the scooter park element of the approved project.

 

It was agreed on the 23 June at South Area Committee that a further consultation would be undertaken so that residents could have their input on specific design proposals for the scooter facility and therefore establish whether or not there was support for the scooter track.

 

This report summarised and responded to the consultation comments received.

 

Members of the public made a number of statements and asked a number of questions, as set out below.

 

1.       Various residents and children spoke in favour of the scooter park. They raised the following points:

                i.          A scooter park was needed to provide a safe area for children to use their scooters.

              ii.          Accordia roads and pathways were not suitable alternatives. Children were worried about colliding with cars and pedestrians.

           iii.          Queried why the scooter park had become a political issue.

            iv.          A delay in implementing the scooter park meant that original residents could not benefit from it, but current/future ones could.

              v.          Accordia had limited amenity space, the scooter park would benefit the whole community.

            vi.          Scooters helped children progress onto using bicycles.

 

2.       Mr Cray made the following points:

      i.          The survey listed in the Officer’s report showed there was support, but not overwhelming support for the scooter park. This would not be a valued facility.

    ii.          Scooting is popular with pre-teen children.

 iii.          The design of Accordia allowed for free flow of movement around it, so people could use scooters on the roads and pavements.

  iv.          Implementing the scooter park may lead to unintended consequences eg attracting older children to a play area that is intended for supervised play.

    v.          Took issue with the Officer’s recommendation that the project continues to be progressed and developed.

 

3.       Mr Weir made the following points:

      i.          There is a need for the scooter park.

    ii.          Took issue with current and historic objections.

 iii.          Reiterated that children worried about using scooters on Accordia roads and pavements.

  iv.          Queried why the scooter park had become a political issue. He was informed that Liberal Democrat Councillors had been strenuously lobbied to ask them to oppose the Officer’s recommendation that the project continues to be progressed and developed.

 

The Committee reassured residents that Councillors has not been lobbied to ask them to oppose the Officer’s recommendation that the project continues to be progressed and developed.

 

The Committee made the following comments in response to the report:

       i.          Noted there was a lot of support for the scooter park, plus some objections.

     ii.          A Traffic Regulation Order was expected to be implemented in Accordia to put in double yellow lines and a 20 MPH speed limit.

 

In response to Members’ questions the Asset Manager said the following:

       i.          It was not possible to check the demographic profile of people who had responded to the consultation. These details were not recorded.

     ii.          The purpose of the report was to seek SAC’s views on options to implement as set out in the Officer’s report. Funding to implement the scooter park had already been agreed.

   iii.          The Asset Manager would work up a project appraisal  then submit it to SAC Chair, Vice Chair and Spokesperson for approval.

   iv.          The timescale to implement work was January 2015 onwards once the Asset Manager had liaised with Planning Officers regarding the proposed options.

 

Following discussion, Members unanimously resolved:

 

       i.          Approved the continuation of project PR032e – Accordia Trim Trail and Scooter Park, which is included on the Council’s Capital & Revenue Project Plan.

     ii.          That the total cost of the scooter park project remains at £30,000 which is funded from developer contributions.