A report informing the Sub-Committee of objections resulting from the statutory consultation for the proposals agreed at the January 2024 meeting.

Further to Minute 37 of the previous meeting, the Sub-Committee received a report informing them of objections that had resulted from the statutory consultation in respect of the proposal agreed at the previous meeting to exclude non-Reading Borough Council licenced Hackney Carriage Vehicles and to permit Reading Borough Council licenced Private Hire Vehicles to use the Kings Road Bus Lane.  A plan showing the alterations proposed in the advertised Traffic Regulation Order was attached to the report at Appendix 1 and feedback that had been received during the statutory consultation was attached to the report at Appendix 2.

The report explained that the statutory consultation had taken place between 1 and 21 February 2024.  During the consultation period 849 responses had been received, of which 28 (3.3%) had been objections, 818 (96.3%) had been in support and 3 (0.4%) had neither supported or objected to the proposals.  The report stated that it was unsurprising that the predominant benefits sited in the support responses had been a reduction in journey times for Private Hire Vehicles, leading to reduced fares and shorter journey times for customers, whether travelling to work, hospital, school or other destinations.  The concerns that had been raised in the objections had related to safety, with a significant number related in particular to concerns about additional risk to cyclists/vulnerable road users.  Thames Valley Police had also objected on these grounds, for which officers had raised concerns in previous reports, this had been reflected in the officer recommendations. 

As set out in the report submitted to the previous meeting, to pursue the requested alteration of access along the Kings Road outbound bus lane would require the following:

·         Identification of funding;

·         Signing Review – Review and creation of signing specifications for the required changes along the route;

·         Making the Order – Seal and advertise the made TRO;

·         Implementation of the scheme – Updating exemptions on the enforcement camera software, change the signing on street.

The report stated that it should also be noted that if implemented, the Council might initially need to serve warning notices for first-time contraventions form the point of implementation, for a period of six months and addressing the point that had been raised in the objection letter from Thames Valley Police, the Council would monitor the profile of casualty incidents on Kings Road, following any changes to the bus gate to understand and act if that change was having an impact to the casualty rate along the street.  This would be in addition to its existing review of incidents.

At the invitation of the Chair Kamran Saddiq, Chairman of the Reading Private Hire Association, addressed the Sub-Committee in favour of the proposal.

Resolved –

(1)        That the report be noted;

(2)        That having considered the objections noted in Appendix 2, attached to the report, the proposals be implemented;

(3)        That the Assistant Director of Legal and Democratic Services be authorised to seal the resultant Traffic Regulation Order;

(4)        That respondents to the statutory consultation be informed of the decisions of the Sub-Committee accordingly, following publication of the agreed minutes of the meeting;

(5)        That the Highways and Traffic Services Manager, in agreement with the Lead Councillor for Climate Strategy and Transport and Ward Councillors, be authorised to make minor alterations to the proposals as might be necessary;

(6)        That no public inquiry be held into the proposals.

(Councillor Ayub declared an interest in the above item on the grounds that he owned a hackney carriage. He left the room and took no part in the discussion or decision making.)