Issue - meetings

Matter for Decision

The Officer’s report detailed the development, proposed improvements and completed consultation for Arbury Court Local Centre Project.

The scheme involved soft and hard landscaping, upgraded crossing point across Arbury Road, improved lighting and public realm in and around Arbury Court. The City Council part of the project has been developed as part of the Local Centres Improvement Programme, for which approval was granted by the Executive Councillor for City Centre and Public Places in October 2014, to improve two local centres (Cherry Hinton High Street and Arbury Court) with a third to be determined.

Decision of Executive Councillor for Streets and Open Spaces

       i.          Noted the results of public consultation on improvements to Arbury Court as set out in Appendix A of the Officer’s report.

     ii.          Noted that the scheme was being proposed for funding through the Mid-Year Financial Review (MYFR), following Capital Programme Board approval 04/07/2017.

   iii.          Supported the proposed improvements to Arbury Court Local Centre as illustratively set out in Appendix B of the Officer’s report for further development and implementation.

Reason for the Decision

As set out in the Officer’s report.

Any Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

Not applicable.

Scrutiny Considerations

The Committee received a report from the Project Officer.

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

       i.          Expressed concern that opening up Arbury Court (eg removing planters) may lead to safety concerns if cyclists used it as a thoroughfare, which may result in collisions with pedestrians.

     ii.          Sought clarification on the type of trees proposed for the area, their suitability and impact on residents’ light levels.

The Project Officer said the following in response to Members’ questions:

       i.          Trees were chosen to ensure they had appropriate height/foliage so they had the least impact on residents’ light.

     ii.          Planters were removed as they were a maintenance issue, in need of refurbishment and to fit in with a modern urban design.

   iii.          Trees would act as discreet barriers to prevent the court becoming a cyclist thoroughfare. Some drop bollards would be in place too. Cyclists currently passed through and only irresponsible ones caused a danger to the pedestrianized area, so the new proposal should not worsen residents’ safety.  Physical barriers to improve safety for pedestrians against irresponsible cyclists would be extensive and very intrusive on the space. 

   iv.          The amount of cycle parking facilities was not being reduced, the parking bays were being moved to the edges of the Court (from the middle) to discourage cycling in the Court. The number of useable cycle parking bays would increase overall.

    v.          Following concerns raised in consultation feedback an improved seating area was proposed nearer Arbury Road, outside the Library and Gurdwara, rather than the central square of Arbury Court. A number of the seats would have arms.

   vi.          Undertook to review seat location with the designer to determine if seats could be located to act as discreet barriers to discourage high speed cycling in the Court.

The Committee unanimously resolved to endorse the recommendations.

The Executive Councillor approved the recommendations.

Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Executive Councillor (and any Dispensations Granted)

No conflicts of interest were declared by the Executive Councillor.