Minutes:
Cllr Cockarill moved the following Motion and it was seconded by Cllr Neighbour:
“To ask full Council to endorse the proposal to temporarily pedestrianise the retail core of Fleet Road, Fleet in order to assist the businesses in the recovery phase of the Covid-19 crisis. The pedestrianisation would provide greater space for social distancing, and also allow activities to take place in the road space to attract people to Fleet and spend more while they are in Fleet.
a) Members endorse the proposals to temporarily pedestrianise the retail core of Fleet Road, Fleet from its junction of with Church Road to the junction with Victoria Road/Upper Street;
b) Members endorse the temporary blocking off of Upper Street at its junction with Clarence Road for traffic management purposes;
c) Members endorse the working up and implementation of the Place Making elements of the Scheme (Phase 3 works); and
d) Members endorse the improvements to the cycle lanes between the retail core of Fleet Road and Fleet Railway Station.”
Cllr Crookes requested that the Motion should be split a)-c) with d) debated separately.
Cllr Cockarill agreed this could be done.
Cllr Oliver requested an Amendment to the Motion that to secure the installation of entry and exit traffic loops (volume and speed) during week 1 of the traffic diversion for Church Road, Albert Street, Clarence Road and Connaught Road to determine future mitigation actions.
Cllr Makepeace-Browne seconded the Amendment.
Members debated the Amendment and following a Recorded Vote the Amendment to the Motion was carried.
Members debated a)-c) of the substantive Motion as amended. The issues raised were:
Members sought reassurance that if the Scheme goes ahead the traffic impact will be actively monitored and any indication that the scheme requires changes will be evidenced and taken to Hampshire County Council to make improvements or remove.
It was generally acknowledged that the High street is in decline and Members discussed if this is a viable temporary measure to help businesses by creating more space and the feeling of a safe environment for visitors or cause greater disruption to businesses and residents.
Members discussed the importance of regular and careful monitoring with both retailers and residents to encourage feedback.
Following a Recorded Vote (Appendix 3) the Motion as Amended was carried.
Members then debated d) of the Motion: Member to endorse the improvements to the cycle lanes between the retail core of Fleet Road and Fleet Railway Station.
Members sought clarification on the background and were informed that the improvements form part of the Local Enterprise Partnership funding of the Green Grid to widen the route to make it safer for cyclists and pedestrians.
The need for local (cycling) groups to be consulted as part of the improvements to the cycle lanes was communicated to Officers working on the Project.
Following a Vote, the Motion was carried.
DECISION
Council agreed to endorse the proposal to temporarily pedestrianise the retail core of Fleet Road, Fleet in order to assist the businesses in the recovery phase of the Covid-19 crisis as agreed in the Motion as amended.