Agenda item

Report of the Superintendent of Smithfield Market.

A report of the Superintendent of Smithfield Market which updated Members on the outcome of the 2013 Christmas Traffic campaign was considered.

The Superintendent explained that a de-brief meeting was held with all interested parties on 28 January 2014 to discuss all aspects of the campaign and improvements for future campaigns were identified. The meeting was well-attended and positive, with the Chairman present to voice concerns about traffic problems and to explain the gridlock that had occurred throughout the Christmas period. The Superintendent stated that following the meeting on the 28January 2014, a further meeting had been organised for 11 February 2014 at which a more substantial plan of action would be drafted. The plan would be submitted to the Committee at its July 2014 meeting.

The Chairman updated the Committee, explaining that it had taken an hour to get through traffic in the area on one particular occasion and it was therefore suggested that, for Christmas 2014 there might be a need to introduce temporary traffic orders to ease congestion.

Responding to a question from a Member, the Superintendent of Smithfield Market explained that Christmas 2013 had seen more traffic problems than previous years. The reasons for this were due to a combination of factors, namely, an increase in the level of business and delivery traffic delays owing to problems elsewhere, which meant that supply vehicles were caught in rush hour traffic.

RESOLVED – That:

      I.        Some thought be given to the temporary traffic order arrangements ahead of Christmas 2014.