Agenda Item 10

Committee: Lead Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment Date: 26 January 2015 Report By: Director of Communities, Economy and Transport Title of Report: Results of the public consultation on the proposed Harbour Road, Rye

Shared Cycle and Pedestrian Route Purpose of Report: To consider the results of the public consultation and determine whether

the introduction of the route should proceed

RECOMMENDATIONS: The Lead Member is recommended to: (1) note the results of the public consultation on the Harbour Road, Rye Shared Cycle and Pedestrian Route; and (2) agree that the proposal should be taken forward to detailed design and construction as part of the 2015/16 Capital Programme for Local Transport Improvements.

1. Background

1.1 Harbour Road, Rye is a no-through road extending 2.6 kilometres south from its junction with the A259 (Winchelsea Road) to Rye Harbour Village and Rye Harbour Nature Reserve. Harbour Road is used by commercial, residential and tourist traffic. In April 2003, the Rye Local Area Transport Strategy (LATS) was developed in partnership with Rother District Council, Rye Town Council and Icklesham, Rye Foreign and Playden Parish Councils to identify local transport improvements that complement local planning policies, support future development and have widespread local support. At the time, Harbour Road did not have a footway or street lighting for much of its length and it did not have any cycling facilities. The LATS identified and prioritised a need for a cycle and pedestrian path, with lighting as appropriate, along Harbour Road to encourage walking and cycling.

1.2 Following the fatal road accident involving a cyclist on Harbour Road in August 2004 the County Council re-prioritised its programme of design work to develop a cycle and pedestrian facility along Harbour Road. The design work identified a number of options and given the layout and traffic conditions on Harbour Road, a 3 metre wide, off-road shared cycle and pedestrian route on the south-western side of Harbour Road was identified as the most appropriate type of facility to provide for the needs of existing users as well as encouraging more people to walk and cycle. Due to the length of the route and the potential requirement of third party land it was divided into four discrete sections as follows, based on the likely order of construction:

• Phase 1 - Rye Harbour Village to the sluice gate before the industrial area (454 metres) • Phase 2 - The sluice gate before the industrial area to the entrance to Weslake Industrial Estate

(735 metres) • Phase 3 - The entrance to Weslake Industrial Estate to Rye Paddock (575 metres) • Phase 4 - Rye Paddock to near the footbridge across the River Brede (305 metres)

1.3 Phases 1, 2 and 3 of the cycle and pedestrian route were built between October 2006 and May 2008 at a total cost of £788,600. Phase 4, from Rye Paddock to the A259, was provisionally identified for design and construction in the County Council’s 2010/11 Capital Programme for Local Transport Improvements. However, difficulties with land acquisition and reductions in the level of Government funding for local transport improvements in March 2010 delayed work on the final section of the route. In January 2013, the County Council introduced a 40 mph speed limit from Rye Paddock to the A259 to improve conditions for cyclists and pedestrians along this section of Harbour Road ahead of the introduction of Phase 4. The preliminary design work for Phase 4 was undertaken as part of the County Council’s 2013/14 Capital Programme for Local Transport Improvements. The preliminary design work was completed in March 2014 and a scheme has been developed that does not require third party land.

2. Supporting Information 2.1 A plan showing the proposal for Phase 4 of the route from Rye Paddock to the western side of the footbridge across the River Brede is contained in Appendix 1. As shown on the plan, the existing shared cycle and pedestrian route will be extended 300 metres westwards from Rye Paddock to near the footbridge across the River Brede. At this point, signs will advise cyclists to dismount and walk across the footbridge before rejoining the road on the other side.

2.2 To enable the scheme to be built within the existing extent of the highway it has been necessary to reduce the width of the cycle and pedestrian route from 3 to 2.5 metres. The proposed scheme has been safety audited and no significant concerns were identified about the potential cyclist/pedestrian conflict on

51

the reduced width facility.

2.3 The scheme has been developed in consultation with key stakeholders which included Rye Town Council, Icklesham Parish Council, Rother District Council, Rye Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group, the Emergency Services and the local County Council Member. Rye Town Council, Icklesham Parish Council, Rother District Council and Rye Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group support the scheme. South East Coast Ambulance Service has indicated their support for the Scheme. Sussex Police and East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service do not object to it. The Local Member is supportive of the scheme. Throughout the development of the scheme officers have provided regular updates to the father whose son was killed in the fatal road accident involving a cyclist on Harbour Road and who is supportive of the scheme.

2.4 A public consultation on the proposed scheme commenced on Friday 24 October 2014 and ran until Friday 14 November 2014. Approximately 350 consultation packs were delivered to all of the residential properties and business on Harbour Road and in Rye Harbour Village. The consultation pack included information about the scheme and instructions about how to participate in the consultation exercise. A consultation questionnaire and a prepaid (freepost) envelope were included in the consultation pack. In order to publicise the consultation exercise, posters were displayed along the existing and proposed shared cycle and pedestrian route showing where further details about the proposed scheme and a consultation questionnaire were available. Posters were also displayed on Rye Town Council and Icklesham Parish Council’s noticeboards, in Rye Harbour Village and in Rye town centre. A series of press releases was issued to the local radio and newspapers. In addition, a full page advertisement was placed in the local newspaper. The consultation material and online questionnaire was also made available on the County Council’s website. Copies of the consultation material about the proposed scheme and a questionnaire were available from Rye Town Council office and Rye Library. The consultation featured on the County Council’s Facebook page and Twitter feed. A copy of the consultation material and questionnaire is included in Appendix 2.

2.5 A total of 86 questionnaires were completed and returned. An analysis of the consultation results and a summary of the comments received are set out in Appendix 3. Full copies of consultation responses are available in the Members’ Room. The results of the analysis of the comments show that of those respondents that specifically commented about whether they supported or opposed the proposal 52 (96%) supported the scheme whilst 2 (4%) did not.

2.6 A total of 37 respondents felt that the section of Harbour Road from Rye Paddock to the A259 is currently unsafe for pedestrians and cyclists, 34 respondents considered that the completion of the route is long over due and 12 respondents thought that it would encourage more people to cycle and walk. Of the other comments received the main issues were about problems as a result of inconsiderate parking along this section of Harbour Road, the potential cyclist/pedestrian conflict associated with a shared facility and speeding traffic on Harbour Road. 2.7 The total estimated construction cost of the measures that are being recommended to be taken forward to detailed design and construction is £300,000. This would be funded from an allocation of £275,800 of County Council funding through the Capital Programme for Local Transport Improvements and a local development contribution amounting to £24,200 from the development of 24 houses and garages off Winchelsea Road, Rye.

3. Conclusion and Reason for Recommendation 3.1 The Rye LATS identified and prioritised the need for a cycle and pedestrian path, along Harbour Road to encourage walking and cycling. Phases 1, 2 and 3 of the Harbour Road cycle and pedestrian route from Rye Harbour Village to Rye Paddock were built between October 2006 and May 2008. Phase 4, the proposed scheme, will complete the 2.1 kilometre Harbour Road, Rye off-road shared cycle and pedestrian route.

3.2 A majority of those who responded to the consultation expressed their support for the proposals. It is therefore recommended that the Lead Member agree that the scheme should be taken forward to detailed design and construction as part of the 2015/16 Capital Programme for Local Transport Improvements, subject to any minor modifications which are identified during the detailed design stage. RUPERT CLUBB Director of Communities, Economy and Transport Contact Officer: Christopher Tree Tel: 01273 482247 Email: chris.tree@eastsussex.gov.uk LOCAL MEMBER: Councillor Glazier BACKGROUND DOCUMENTS: A transcript of the consultation responses received via the questionnaire, email and letter.

52

1

56

Nav Lt

River

Bol

MARTELLO CLOSE

5.3m

3

Pond

Cottage

Bol

1

1

Drain

28

Castle

28

Mud

NTL

2

5.1m

3.9m

46

MHW Mud

Track

Club

24

14

River

Bred

e

6

Drain

Sluice

3.4m

13

26

36

MHW

26

1

Mud

Path

(um)

Mill

Bred

e Slui

ce

16

4.0m

Pont

oons

2

27

Pond

TollgateTillingham

Brede

Cottages

Lock

Rock Channel

FB

MHW

MHW

Drain

Drain

River Brede

4.6m

Mud

Drain

FB Sluice

Drain

Rye PaddockMud

Drain

Warehouse

Works

Mud

Sub Sta

2 1

The Drive ROCK CHANNEL

1

El

15

AnchorageThe

1413

1718

The BoathouseCottage

Works

SladesMeadow

ROCK CHANNEL

TrainingShip

Bide

Rye

QUAY4.5m

8

2022

95

113

107

109

107

StaSubEl

Slipway

4.4m

PointBridge

Mud

A 259

Works

Garage

a

Pumping Station

ROCK CHANNEL

Hotel

MLW

HallPW

Pontoon

Navigation Beacon

Navigation Beacon

23

20

WESTERN

El

9

22

1617 31

126

Sub Sta

14

19

5

25

BARN

CLOSE

26

Harbour Road, Rye Cycle and Pedestrian Route

Scale 1:Rupert ClubbBEng (Hons) CEng MICEDirector, Transport and EnvironmentEast Sussex County Council

Reproduced from the Ordnance Survey mapping with thepermission of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office © Crown Copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings.East Sussex County Council, 100019601, 2007

Scale 1:2500Rupert Clubb BEng (Hons) CEng MICEDirector of Communities, Economy and TransportEast Sussex County Council

Reproduced from the Ordnance Survey mapping withthe permission of the Controller of Her Majesty'sStationery Office © Crown Copyright.Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown copyrightand may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings.East Sussex County Council, 100019601, 2014

Lead Member for Transport and Environment 26 January 2015

Location Plan

Scale 1:50000

Site

C98 HARBOUR ROAD

A259

NEW

WIN

CHEL

SEA R

OAD Proposed shared

cycle/pedestrian route

53

Appendix 1

54

Appendix 2

55

56

57

58

59

Appendix 3 Results of the local consultation on the Harbour Road, Rye Cycle and Pedestrian Route 1. Introduction The details of the consultation on the proposal to complete the final section of the shared cycle and pedestrian route along Harbour Road, Rye and the results of the analysis of the completed questionnaires are set out in this Appendix. 2. Details of the public consultation The consultation started on Friday 28 November 2014 and ran until Friday 14 October 2014. A letter drop consultation was undertaken to seek people’s views on the proposal to complete the final section of the Harbour Road cycle and pedestrian route. Approximately 350 consultation packs were delivered to the residential properties and businesses on Harbour Road and in Rye Harbour Village. The consultation pack included background to the scheme, a description of the proposed route, a plan showing the proposed route and instructions about how to participate in the consultation exercise. Also enclosed were a consultation questionnaire and a prepaid (freepost) envelope. Copies of the consultation material about the proposed cycle and pedestrian route and a questionnaire were available from Rye Town Council office and Rye Library. The consultation material and online questionnaire was also made available on the County Council’s website. A copy of the consultation material and questionnaire is included in Appendix 2. 3. Publicity Posters advertising the consultation and where to obtain further details and a questionnaire were displayed along Harbour Road and in Rye Harbour Village. Posters were also displayed in Rye Town Council and Icklesham Parish Council’s noticeboards and in Rye town centre. A series of press releases were issued to the local radio and newspapers. In addition, a full page advertisement was placed in the local newspaper. The consultation featured on the County Council’s Facebook page and twitter feed. 4. Feedback A total of 86 questionnaires were completed with 73 of these returned by post and 13 being completed online.

60

5 Respondent profile Question 1 Are you an individual, business or other? Respondents were asked to indicate on the consultation questionnaire whether they were responding as an individual or on behalf of a business. A total of 49 responses were given and the results are shown in the table below.

Respondent status

Number of responses Percentage of responses

An individual 78 91 On behalf of a business 5 4.5 Other 5 4.5 Total 86 100 As shown in the table above a majority of 91% of respondents were individuals. Question 2 Are you a resident of Rye. Respondents were asked to indicate on the consultation questionnaire whether they were a resident of Newhaven. A total of 86 responses were given and the results are shown in the table below.

Respondent status

Number of responses Percentage of responses

Resident of Rye 68 79 No 18 21

Total 86 100 As shown in the table above over three quarters of respondents lived in Rye.

61

If no, where do you live? Respondents were asked to indicate on the consultation questionnaire where they lived. A total of 17 responses were given and the results are shown in the table below.

Respondent status

Number of responses Percentage of responses

Rye Harbour 9 52 Battle 2 12

Beckley 2 12 Brighton 1 6

Eastbourne 1 6 Fairlight 1 6 Hastings 1 6

Total 17 100 Question 4 Harbour Road, Rye cycle and pedestrian route Are there any comments that you would like to make about the proposal or how it may affect you? Your views will help us to refine the proposal. Respondents were asked to make any comments about the proposal or how it may affect them. A total of 198 comments were made and the results are shown in the table below. A table showing all of the comments that were received, reviewed and categorised is included in a document which is available in the Members’ Room.

62

Theme

Number Theme/issue Number of

respondents raising this

issue

Officer response

1 Support the scheme 52 Noted. 2 This section of Harbour Road is

unsafe for cyclists and pedestrians. 37 The introduction of the proposed scheme will provide

an off-road shared cycle and pedestrian route along this section of Harbour Road.

3 Cycle and pedestrian route is long over due

34 Noted

4 Will encourage and make cycling enjoyable

12 Noted

5 Parking is a problem 8 Currently inconsiderate parking on Harbour Road from Rye Paddock to near the junction of the A259 forces pedestrians and cyclists further into the road. The introduction of the cycle and pedestrian route will provide an off-road shared facility for cyclists and pedestrians. Parking enforcement is the responsibility of Sussex Police and they have been notified as appropriate.

6 Concerned about cyclist and pedestrian conflict

6 The proposed shared cycle and pedestrian route will be appropriately signed. There is not sufficient available width for a segregated off-road facility.

7 Cyclists should share the road with cars over the road bridge

4 The proposed scheme advises cyclists to dismount and walk across the footbridge before rejoining the road. Confident cyclists can rejoin the road before the footbridge and use the road bridge to cross the River Brede.

8 Speeding is a problem along Harbour Road.

4 Enforcement of speed limits is the responsibility of Sussex Police. A request for a lower speed limit along Harbour Road is currently being dealt with by the County Council’s Road Safety team.

9 The route will enable the use of 4 Noted.

63

mobility scooter to Rye 10 Cyclists still use the road and not

the existing cycle and pedestrian route.

3 The existing facility is for all groups of cyclists and pedestrians however, confident cyclists may choose to use the road instead of the route.

11 There is no provision for cyclists at the junction with the A259.

3 The County Council will work with the Highways Agency to facilitate potential improvements at the A259/Harbour Road junction as appropriate.

12 The white line set back 0.5 metre from the edge of the existing cycle and pedestrian route is confusing for drivers.

3 This concern was identified following construction of Phase 1 of the cycle and pedestrian route. To overcome this concern the white carriageway centre line was remarked and reflective road studs installed. To ensure a consistent approach the same has been done on the carriageway adjacent to Phases 2 and 3 of the route. Phase 4 is 2.5 metres wide and therefore insufficient width to accommodate a white line set back 0.5 metre. However, to ensure a consistent approach the white carriageway centre line will be remarked and reflective road studs installed.

13 Will the speed limit along this section of Harbour Road be reduced to 30 mph.

2 The speed limit along this section of road was reduced to 40 mph in January 2013. Sussex Police is responsible for speed enforcement and would not support the introduction of a 30 mph speed limit without the introduction of speed reducing features. However, the situation will continue to be monitored and a lower speed limit introduced if appropriate.

14 Yellow line restrictions are required to stop inconsiderate parking.

2 Inconsiderate parking along this section of Harbour Road will continue to be monitored and the introduction of parking restrictions will be considered if appropriate.

15 Has consideration been given to an alternative route on the sea side of Rye Paddock?

1 To maintain a continuous facility the proposed scheme will extend the existing cycle and pedestrian route 300 metres westwards to near the footbridge across the River Brede.

16 Concerned about exiting driveway 1 The give-way markings will be refreshed and notices

64

across cycle route as cyclists don't stop at the give-way marking.

erected to remind cyclists that they should give-way where appropriate. When entering and exiting driveways drivers should be aware and have appropriate consideration for cyclists or pedestrians.

17 Cut back hedgerow near A259 junction to improve visibility.

1 The hedgerow will be cut back as appropriate.

18 Do not support a shared cycle and pedestrian route.

1 The shared cycle and pedestrian route is the most appropriate facility to encourage cycling and walking along Harbour Road given the available land.

19 Do not support the proposed scheme.

1 Noted.

20 The existing cycle and pedestrian route is good.

1 Noted. The existing route provides an off-road shared cycle and pedestrian facility from Rye Harbour Village to Rye Paddock.

21 Harbour Road speed limit should be 40 mph.

1 Noted. A request for a lower speed limit along Harbour Road is currently being dealt with by the County Council’s Road Safety team.

22 Maintain access for the boatyard 1 Noted. Officers will be consulting with the owner of the boatyard to ensure that access requirements are maintained.

23 Pedestrian improvements at the A259 junction

1 The County Council will work with the Highways Agency to facilitate potential improvements at the A259/Harbour Road junction as appropriate.

24 The give way priorities across the accesses to the industrial sites need to be signed clearly.

1 Noted. The give-way markings and signs will be inspected and refreshed as appropriate.

25 Publicise the existing and new route

1 Noted. The route will be publicised as appropriate.

26 Reduce the speed limit to 20 mph where cyclists have to cross the road between the River Brede and the A259 junction.

1 Noted. The speed of vehicles turning off the A259 into Harbour Road and towards the road bridge where there is the 90 degree bend is likely to be low. Sussex Police is responsible for speed enforcement would not support the introduction of a 30 mph speed limit

65

without speed reducing feature. However, the situation will continue to be monitored and a lower speed limit introduced if appropriate.

27 Restrict parking on Harbour Road near Tollgate Lock to improve cycle and pedestrian safety.

1 The parking on Harbour Road near Tollgate Lock will be reviewed as part of the detailed design process.

28 Road markings to alert drivers to those cyclists crossing the road.

1 Signage and road markings to alert drivers that cyclists will be crossing the road will be introduced as appropriate.

29 Roundabout at A259 junction 1 Noted. The County Council will work with the Highways Agency to facilitate potential improvements at the A259/Harbour Road junction as appropriate.

30 Route should end at the bridge 1 The proposed scheme advises cyclists to dismount and walk across the footbridge before rejoining the road. Confident cyclists can rejoin the road before the footbridge and use the road bridge to cross the River Brede.

31 Sign it clearly for use by cyclists and pedestrians

1 The cycle and pedestrian route is a shared facility and will be signed as appropriate.

32 Speeding is a problem along A259 1 Enforcement of speed limits is the responsibility of Sussex Police. A request for a lower speed limit along Harbour Road is currently being dealt with by the County Council’s Road Safety team.

33 Street lighting is required 1 Harbour Road is in an environmentally sensitive area and the introduction of street lighting along the length of the road would not be appropriate.

34 The facility should be 3 metres wide

1 To enable the scheme to be built within the existing extent of the highway it has been necessary to reduce the width of Phase 4 of the cycle and pedestrian route from 3 to 2.5 metres. The proposed scheme has been safety audited and no significant concerns were identified about the potential cyclist/pedestrian conflict with the width of the facility being reduced from 3 to 2.5 metres.

66

35 The funding should be used to maintain bus services

1 Noted.

36 The removal of the section of layby adjacent to the boatyard will lead to inconsiderate parking.

1 Parking on the verges outside the boat yard is displacing eastbound vehicles and cyclists towards, and in some instances over, the carriageway centre line into the path of oncoming westbound vehicles. The local carriageway alignment, on a bend, reduces forward visibility compounding the problem of conflict. The removal of the verge will help to addresss this problem. Parking is an enforcement matter and is the responsibility of Sussex Police and they will be notified as appropriate.

37 Vehicles currently park on the existing route.

1 Vehicles parked on the existing cycle and pedestrian route can cause an obstruction. Parking enforcement is the responsibility of Sussex Police and they have been notified as appropriate. .

38 Waste of Money 1 Noted. Total 198

67

68