Agenda item

J Doe introduced the report to members. The Hemel Hempstead Masterplan refers to improving the access and movement around the Water Gardens car park. Bridge Street would be improved by narrowing the road and making it one way out of the car park. One issue is that it would remove the disabled parking but this does currently cause congestion. The project has been delayed as it was felt the Water Gardens regeneration should be completed first. The budget for the project is £759k with a £160k contingency as it is classed as a high risk project in the town centre.
The report is due to go to Cabinet next month and the project will begin, if approved, in 2019.

Councillor Anderson asked why was it necessary to make the slip road into the car park so long and take out so many of the trees softening the urban landscape.
J Doe said the plans were drawn up by Highway engineers, who were concerned about the traffic flow on Leighton Buzzard Road.
Councillor Anderson pointed out that any queuing traffic would simply backup through the traffic light controlled pedestrian crossing anyway.

Councillor Birnie said he had two concerns with this project. Firstly, it seems rather expensive and secondly, the displacement of blue badge holders who have already been affected by the taxi rank.
Councillor Harden said blue badge holders were legally allowed to park anywhere and they get free parking in the car parks. There is a safety issue on Bridge Street for pedestrians which will be improved with this project.

Councillor Ransley hoped that the road markings would be repainted as the roundabout on Bridge Street is invisible. She also raised the issue that people may become confused about the one way system.

Councillor G Sutton said not of all the signs were included on the drawing provided. The direction of travel will be clockwise.

J Doe said the main cost of the project was the creation of the slip road. At the moment, Bridge Street divides the Water Gardens in two so this project will create a seamless feel to the gardens.

Councillor Birnie asked how this project would make it easier for pedestrians to enter from Leighton Buzzard Road.
C Covington said at the moment, there are two footpaths and the public realm is poor and the routes are unclear. There also isn’t a dropped kerb so there is no good access from the pelican crossing into town centre.

Councillor Anderson said the slip road was quite close to the crossing.
J Doe said he would take this point back but it had been through safety audit training.
Councillor Anderson suggested that the slip road turn be closer to the car park.
C Covington said this would then potentially back up traffic onto the Leighton Buzzard Road.
Councillor Anderson advised that the traffic would backup through the pedestrian crossing anyway.
Councillor G Sutton said the slip road into the tiered car park was also quite long. The Leighton Buzzard Road is quite narrow for the amount of traffic it takes.

Outcome

That the Strategic Planning & Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee noted the report but was concerned about the necessity of the length and positioning of the slip road.