Agenda and minutes

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In accordance with the Code of Conduct adopted by the City and County of Swansea, no interests were declared.

 

To approve and sign the Minutes of the previous meeting(s) as a correct record.

Resolved that the Minutes of the Economy and Infrastructure Policy Development & Delivery Committee held on 8 March, 2018, be approved as a correct record.

The City Centre Manager provided the background to the feasibility study in relation to the Pedestrianisation of Wind Street and introduced the authors of the study, Mr O Davies and Mr I Smith, Owen Davies Consulting, Element Urbanism.

 

Mr O Davies and Mr E Smith provided an informative presentation which detailed:

 

·       Programme

·       Activity to Date

·       Reviewed Key Factors

·       Heritage and Landscape

·       Activity and Uses

·       Quiet Days and Eventful Nights

·       Business Deliveries

·       Security Vehicle Mitigation

·       Influence of Other Developments

·       Challenges

·       Scheme Objectives

·       Key Requirements

·       The Site (access from the South/North)

·       Trees: Benefits and Impacts

·       Sun Path Analysis

·       Tree Shading

·       Road Allignment

·       The Site (one way, existing layout etc)

·       Public Spaces

·       Loading and Parking

·       Existing

·       Realigned and Reduced Carriageway

·       Shared Surface

·       Identity – Street Components

·       Materials

·       Furniture

·       Lighting Features

·       Miscellaneous

·       Options to Examine

 

It was noted that Option 2 (i.e develop a one way system, infill the loadings bays and narrow the existing highway to unlock additional space for pedestrians) was the preferred option.

 

In response to Members’ questions, the Consultants stated that:

 

·       Proprietors would require a permit to allow the citing of sandwich board advertisements, outside sitting/standing and boundary splits between respective venues.  This would provide more control and management of the outside areas.

·       It was imperative to make Wind Street more attractive to a wide variety of people, whilst not losing the late night offer.  This would require a culture change.

·       The project is not in isolation of other Schemes within the City Centre (e.g., Purple Flag etc).  Businesses need to take responsibility and research indicates that patrons sitting and eating tend to drink less alcohol than those standing.  Conditions could be applied to establishments to assist in the development of the reputation of Wind Street.  Many of the current operators within Wind Street are chain establishments, operating throughout the UK, thus bringing good practice in the management of their establishments.

·       Some properties have not been maintained due to disposal strategies (e.g., Idols), however, the project may encourage proprietors to refurbish and re-develop in line with the other establishments within Wind Street.

·       The hours of traffic closure within Wind Street was yet to be agreed and consideration would need to be given to business’ operational requirements such as timings of deliveries and the potential of a public inquiry.

·       There is a possibility that problems associated with anti-social behaviour could be migrated to other parts of the City.

·       The heritage of the area (both the buildings and the presence of the Castle) was powerful and should be celebrated.

·       The reintroduction of the former statute (as detailed in historical photographs of Wind Street) could be an opportunity.

·       The study was not constrained by costs.

·       The current paving could be used for the new project.

·       The project could be delivered in stages.

 

The Chair thanked the Consultants for their informative presentation.

 

The City Centre Manager stated that there was no allocated budget for the Pedestrianisation of Wind Street.  However, should the project be delivered in stages, opportunities may exist within current budgets and various funding streams.

 

The Director of Place sought the Committee’s views in relation to the options.

 

Resolved that:

 

1)    The Chair email Committee Members requesting views no later than Friday, 20 April, 2018;

2)    The Democratic Services Officer circulated a copy of the presentation.

 

 

The Chair stated that there were outstanding issues for consideration on the workplan and sought views regarding a further meeting.

 

Resolved that a special meeting be convened on Tuesday, 24 April, 2018 to consider:

 

1)    Member Feedback - Feasibility Study - Pedestrianisation of Wind Street

2)    Economy and Infrastructure PDDC – Position Statement – End of Year 2017/2018

3)    Economy and Infrastructure PDDC Workplan – 2018/2019