Agenda item

RECOMMENDED:That having considered the requests made under Notice of Motion 4/19 together with the background information set out within this report; the proposals set out in the Notice of Motion 4/19 be rejected.

Reason for Decision

The Council has progressed a number of significant regeneration initiatives within the borough over several years with inputs from a variety of other public bodies and agencies.  Significant amounts of funding have been secured from partner agencies to facilitate these initiatives that will help drive the growth, development and sustainability of King’s Lynn as a sub-regional centre.  The requests made under Notice 4/19 are considered contrary to long-standing Council policies.

Councillor Gidney presented a report on Notice of Motion 4/19 which was submitted to Full Council in September 2019 in respect of proposed works affecting Harding’s Way, King’s Lynn.  The report set out the background to the project and the wider policy initiatives developed by the Council over a period of time.  The purpose of the report was to enable Cabinet to consider the Notice of Motion and determine whether, or not, to accept the requests made under the Motion.

Councillor Gidney explained that the town would undergo a lot of investigations into traffic and routes.  Those investigations would be put together in the process required and would be considered in due course.

Assistant Director Property and Projects explained that the report set out the history of the site which was a link point for 2 regeneration areas for the provision of sustainable living in the area.  The CIF bid made for the road was for transportation improvements and to secure housing for the area.  He explained that a traffic regulation order was required to open Hardings Way to allow for the residential development in the near future.

Under standing order 34 Councillor Kemp spoke to her motion and stated that the funding for the CIF road was provided as a bus lane more of which were needed to cover the number of additional houses being built.  She drew attention to there being no green infrastructure, and that the NCC equalities impact assessment stated there would be implications for disabled people.  She considered that the CO₂ levels on London Road would reduce if more buses used Hardings Way in line with the original vision of 26 buses phr, and expressed concern that permitting traffic on the road would mean HGVs using it.

Under standing order 34 Councillor Joyce made reference to a section 14 notice originally put on the road by Highways authority which was lifted in later years.  Part of the then strategy was for a park and ride in the south of Lynn.  He considered Hardings Way needed more buses on it but to have cars on it would negate the benefits of quicker access by buses. 

Under standing order 34 Councillor Bone spoke on this and the next item 6/19 which was his notice of motion as he had to leave the meeting shortly.  He echoed what had been said by other speakers and was concerned that Hardings Way would become another bottle neck for traffic.  He felt that the traffic plan should be less car orientated and more sustainable for public transport.  He had concern on the detrimental impact of cars on Whitefriars School.  He wanted it to remain as a bus lane.  He felt that the Enterprise Zone buildings would be a good opportunity to encourage green travel.

Under standing order 34 Councillor de Whalley wished to highlight the element of active travel such as walking and cycling of which Hardings Way was a green active travel link to King’s Lynn.  He drew attention that if opened up to traffic those walkers and cyclists would be breathing fumes.

Council Gidney responded that he did not necessarily disagree with what had been said, but evaluations had to be carried out across the town, and Hardings Way couldn’t be ignored or shown any favouritism and could only be evaluated along with the air quality management issues. 

Councillor Middleton drew attention to the fact that he lived in the vicinity of Hardings Way and passed through the area regularly.  He drew attention to the differing views of people, some wanting to keep it closed and others wanting it opening.  He referred to the bigger picture for the town and the Transport Strategy which had a list of options for the future, all of which should be examined.  He stated that if the council were to consider making a decision to open it there would be consultation.  He was happy to reject the motion.

Councillor Long drew attention to the press article recently about the Southgates on which he had received messages about Hardings way, however he reminded members that nothing could happen without knowing the impact on the town, so it was proper to reject the Motion, as it would impact on the future development along the road, the plans for which had been in place for some time.

RECOMMENDED:That having considered the requests made under Notice of Motion 4/19 together with the background information set out within this report; the proposals set out in the Notice of Motion 4/19 be rejected.

Reason for Decision

The Council has progressed a number of significant regeneration initiatives within the borough over several years with inputs from a variety of other public bodies and agencies.  Significant amounts of funding have been secured from partner agencies to facilitate these initiatives that will help drive the growth, development and sustainability of King’s Lynn as a sub-regional centre.  The requests made under Notice 4/19 are considered contrary to long-standing Council policies.