At the Place Scrutiny Place Committee held on 12 June 2017, Members discussed an issue relating to the public realm surface in Sidwell Street. An invitation has been extended to Councillor Leadbetter to discuss the way forward in respect of the public realm maintenance in the city centre of Exeter.
The Minute from the Place Scrutiny Committee is set out for Member’s information as follows -
The Deputy Chief Executive discussed the quality and safety of the footpaths at Sidwell Street, in relation to the interim arrangements for the Bus Station, and that there had been an increased footfall after the closure of the Bus Station. He highlighted where Devon County Council were looking to replace the slabbed footways with tarmac. This had been brought to the Committee because it would impact on deterioration in public spaces and the wider city.
In response to questions raised by Members, the Deputy Chief Executive explained that Exeter City Council were unaware of these issues until work by Devon County Council had begun at Sidwell Street. It was important that Members were informed of the work and to consider inviting Devon County Council to the September meeting to provide an update on the planned work. Members discussed the best options for the planned tarmac and the importance of warning and informing the public of potential safety issues and areas. It was anticipated that joint work would take place between Exeter City Council and Devon County Council to develop a way forward in terms of future programing and to the public realm maintenance in the city centre.
County Councillor Stuart Hughes Highways Portfolio, and City and County Councillor Andrew Leadbetter (DCC Liaison for Exeter) have been invited to attend the September meeting to update City Members. The Chair recommended Members address issues at the next Scrutiny meeting.
Minutes:
The Director (DB) introduced the item and referred to the last meeting when the quality and safety of the footpaths at Sidwell Street was discussed. He referred to the need to consider how best Exeter City Council and Devon County Council could share the information in respect of the public realm.
The Chair, introduced Councillor Andrew Leadbetter who, in his role as County Councillor for Exeter Vision was attending with Paul Davis, Asset Manager Highways, Devon County Council. Councillor Leadbetter apologised that County Councillor Stuart Hughes had not been able to attend the meeting. He referred to the issue previously raised regarding the surface treatment of Sidwell Street and the partial black top covering, and confirmed that further use of the material had been put on hold whilst discussion with Exeter City Council took place. Paul Davis requested that a liaison group involving both Exeter City Council and Devon County Council officers be set up to discuss the programme and collaborate more effectively over the future surface treatment and action. A Member sought an assurance that other parts of the city centre would be considered. He referred to a number of incidents due to the state of the paving in the High Street, but would not support the increase in the use of tarmac for repairs to the footpaths. He was aware that Devon County Council had plans to, in effect, roughen the surface of paving slabs. Paul Davis confirmed that Devon County Council had undertaken some surface testing to ascertain skid resistance before making an appropriate assessment.
A Member enquired about the target date to address the work, and he referred to the footpath at the junction of South, North and Fore Streets which had been temporarily dressed with black tarmac. Paul Davis confirmed that temporary repairs had been carried out at this junction and Highways had to replace the traffic platform with a different type of material due to settlement at this busy junction. He would discuss with Exeter City Council officers the preferred approach before undertaking any further work. He appreciated that timing was important as the city was coming up to a busy time of year, but that the works would have to be undertaken in the current financial year.
A Member enquired about the material to be used and stated that safety was paramount, but the economy of the city centre was also important and so essential that the public realm of the city centre was kept to a high standard. He sought an assurance that local Members of the wards adjoining the city centre would be kept informed. Paul Davis responded, stating that the material to be used was ‘impress concrete tegular type block paving material’ which came in a variety of sizes and colour. It was however, important to ensure that drivers could distinguish between the footpath and highway. He would also ensure there continued to be dialogue with Devon County Council’s neighbourhood officer to address the issues. The Chair sought reassurance that no further use of black tarmac would be made. Paul Davis stated that the programme was in abeyance, although there was clearly a safety issue on the footpaths that remained. He looked forward to continuing a positive dialogue with the City Council.
Councillor Leadbetter agreed that he was very keen to work together to address these issues.