Wednesday, 25 November 2015

Started again

Mr Ryzner speaking.

Mr Yellop offering to act for Corporation in absence of their health and safety advisor.

Inspector has accepted that he will represent both Corporation and DoI.

Questions to whole DoI team.

Mr Hannay. Who set proposals maintain levels of car parking?  Answer: Mr Cretney and policy maintained by Mr Gawne.

Mr Hannay.  Re Puffin crossing in Church Street been changed to zebra.

Mr Hannay - moving coach park to Stratallan Crescent. Agreed.

Mr Hannay - Zebra crossing questions.

Mr Quirk - questions about side of road. Why did Council change view. answer policy changed due to weight of opposition from hoteliers etc.

Mr quirk - why so much weight in favour attached to business? answer consultation.

mr quirk - re shared use of track for electric trams. No plans for now.

mr quirk - questions answered about curbs?

Mr Davidson admits people confused about shared space. Only in the cultural area is it shared space.

Mr quirk - why engage a shared space concept then? Not binding.

Mr quirk - mixing trams a recipe for disaster? No

Mr quirk - questions about access to shops. Not on agenda/

Mr Quirk - why use electric trams as example if not going to be used? Why use Disney used as an example?

Bit bogged down.

Question re single track in centre of road. Rejected on safety grounds.  Looked at extending pavements too.

Too many questions by Mr quirk to record them all.

Queens gardens - taken into account access to sewerage tanks.

No agreement to buy land for Queens Gardens.

Waiting to ask my questions about consultation and confusion about siting of tracks.

Tracks will be on the road not walkway at bottom of broadway.

Many further questions from Mr Quirk.


Lost a lot of reporting about Mr Quirks questions.

Murray Lambden asked questions about the adequacy of 2014 consultation to justify a major reversal of policy.

Murray Lambden asked questions about confusion of track site.

Answers as expected.

Dudley Dutt asking good questions about when the change ofpolicy arose. Change of minister when Mr Gawne appointed.

 Always 300 empty spaces in Chester Street. Why provide spaces in sea side of prom?

Dudley Butt why not stay in middle of road? Resurfaced previously. Answer, not resurfaced but re-built. Tracks are also older now and won't last for ever.

Mr Butt suggested removing parking in a limited number of places might solve the problem of passing cars. No

Mr Butt - is it possible to use pavement on Loch Prom for trams. Yes, but decision taken.


Mr Pennington  - questions about modelling. how does it cope with double parking and queues for reversing into spaces. Didn't really follow answer.

Mr Pennington - re roundabouts. assume driver behaviour is good. Only single lane entry to roundabouts. Provision for two lane approaches? High risk approach if single lane doesn't work.

Mr Pennington - are you confident single lane is sufficient? Yes

Mr Fayle - are they definite plans? Referring to indicative plans. Why is indicative used? Planning application drawings not detailed working plans.

Mr Fayle - re shared space. Videos suggest it was.  Has the role of distribution role been considered for this type of traffic system? Has it been compared to something similar? They looked at various schemes. Taken the best examples.

Mr Davidson thinks we will have such a good scheme that other places will want to model their schemes on ours.

Mrs Bridson - a lot of questions coming up.

Changes of times will vary at all times of day.

Models will take account of side roads too.

All policies considered.

Pedestrians links improve access to prom? The number of links

No cycle route. How will they cope? Model doesn't deal with cyclists.

Impact of 5 year construction? Can't model it. May have to be one way controls. Phases, sub-phases and sub-sub-phases.

Will walkway be used as highway? No.

Will it improve all traffic or will there be negatives because of people using alternative routes? Don't know.

Concerns about risk to cyclists. share space with pedestrians. Concern about cyclists and tram tracks.

Pelican or zebra crossing safer? Depends on user groups.

Central median strips. Two lanes of traffic at one go or not? Not a pedestrian refuge.

Which house style will it match? Consistent on prom but not through all of Douglas.

50 year plan. Durability of products. Yes.

Is tarmac suitable for walkway? Pragmatic

Blackpool comparison. Materials not fit for purpose.

Mr Thomson has also worked on Colwyn Bay. Happy with suitability for differences.

Differences in stopping distances Blackpool v Isle of Man.

How the walkway is used. Different to other locations.

Increase in walkway increasing 2,700 sq ft BUT current walkers deterred from using tram strip. DoI will revert and give full explanation.

Mrs Bridson estimates 2,600 square feel lost by horse tram strip? They will revert.

Mrs sayle - tactile surfaces.

Mr Churcher - 3 metres width waste of space reserved for trams

Mrs Bridson  - questions about visual impact. Answer (of course) not too bad.

Mrs Bridson - signs about safety not good for conservation area. Answer - balancing act,

Mrs Bridson - over 50 references to warning signs. Visable clutter.

Mrs Bridson contrast with current uncluttered appearance at present.

mrs Bridson - sea debris on track.

Mrs Bridson - understanding of open space? Degree of modification.  HOPEFULLY PEOPLE WILL CHANGE HOW THEY USE  THE PROMENADE WALKWAY

Black tarmac can be more than one colour!

Mr Butt -will removal of current walkway design be a negative move? no

Inspectors question

Conservation area is 1.5 miles long. Does the plan enhance all of the four parts?

How much did they take conservation area into account?

Don't really understand the answers. Remove clutter from front of Gaiety.

landscaping expect not consulted on northern end of prom.

Question about removing free space in Queens Gardens. thinks "Space can cope."

Have the design team visited Poignton? only 300 yards long.

Any distinction?

Picking up on "not a shared space but a low speed something but Walkway is shared space."

Issues re landscaping. Hybrid proposal.

Mr Thomson supporting plans for hybrid scheme.















adjourned for lunch

Resume at 1.45 pm

Case for applicant

Not all documents to be read out but inspector will report all cases in full.

Opening statement from Mr Ryzner.

Chartered Town Planner.

Assist applicant.

To provide clarification on planning policy.

Change of order

Mr Podmore unable to attend, Paul Barnett to deputise.

Change in order of presentations.

Listing relevant planning legislation.

"Not in conflict with any regulations".

Issues raised as objections carefully considered. Key concerns may be responded to. No mention of the number of objections.

Different aspects of objections to be dealt with by different officers.

Not here to defend application only to explain.

Mr Hannay questioning.

Status of conservation area?

mr Ryzner explaining.

Murray Lambden asked whether it was unusual not to mention number of objections? Answer from mr Ryzner not a high number.

Mr quirk asked about "tweaks"

Jim Davidson to speak

In highways system for 16 years.

Includes Phase 1 development,

Prom unchanged for 80 years . Lock prom in 30s.

Sumarise use. Gateway to Isle of Man. Horse trams in 1978.

Driving demonstrates how bad the roadway is. Complete reconstructoin required. drainage system also failed. Skidding resistance below safely levels. "Unnecessarily pedestrian segregation."

Large vehicles unable to pass horse trams. Unless horse trams moved can design road safely.

2014 scheme modified to include walkway.

Department believes application best solution.

Mr Hannay - has corporation raised safety issues? Yes.

Mr Pennington asked re accidents?

Mr quirk - who owns tracks? Corporation.

Mr Butt - clarify history? Was previous reconstruction done with horse trams in place? Yes, they moved. Can it be reconstructed with trams in place?

Mr Barnett to speak in place in Mr podmore. mr podmore's statement.Senior design engineer. 13 years.

Supplementary information.

Objections relate to safety. DoI have addressed these.

Engaged with groups representing vunerable groups.

Broadway to Queens Gardens widened in response to Facebook representations.

Overall size of walkway increased.

Inspector confirmed that route does take splice off Queens Gardens.

Mr Hannay - lack of taxi rank spaces? Are they needed at all.

Mr Barnett - taxi ranks to be maintained or increased.

Mr Hannay questioning speed of trams? Mr Barnett accepts speed inaccurate in document.

Mr churcher are lines still there? Yes.

Mr Churcher challenging increasing space? Clarifying use of pavement.

Inspector not clear that there is extra space either.

Mrs Churcher - questioned marking.Width of tram or overhang.

Murray Lambden said total width  7 ft. argument about metric and imperial but basically agree.

Mrs Murray asked about cycling. answer it will still be permitted.

Mrs Murray also mentioned campaign for safe distance between bikes and cars. Not considered.


Mr Hannay refers to "walls of cars" by consultant.

Mr Barnett says design changes.

Mr Hannay - has DoI accepted Douglas Corporation Parking review. Can't answer.

Mr Ryzner not adopted 2013 parking report. A REVIEW OF PARKING IN 2013 NOT CONSIDERED IN SCHEME

Mr Thomson to speak. Chartered Landscape Engineer. Consultant. Involved since 2011.

Explaining what they are trying to achieve. Roundabout at Gaiety not good.

Cultural area. Explaining different surfaces.

Seating "under consideration."

Connectivity important.  With lighting too. Positive boost for town.

Responses to objectiions

Tramway defined by different colours.

Different paving.

Example Spain, and Blackpool.

Plenty of space to move away from tram. Better safety than now.

Crossing points defined.

540 to 485 car parking reduction (check)

Crossing given priority.

Re loss of amenity.

Current policy to maintain open space no conflict with open space policy.

seating not shown - that is only detailed  design.

Mr quirk questions about positioning of trams.

Murray Lambden was tram corrider marked during period of planning application? given that is the area where old people sit in shelter. Black looks but no.

Monica Floding asked about shelters. Yes there will be.

Gill Churcher - what is width of narrowest part? 4.6 metres to allow tram overhang but safety distance for cycling.

Gill Churcher - questioning demarcation of tram track.

Question re seating from senior building officer. answer - can't stay where it is.

Marie Lambden - given a number 267! Second question re marking of corridor or the tracks. Jim Davidson - preferred to mark just tracks. Inspector supported questioner.

Mr Ryzner said they did offer to explain to anyone and has offered to mark tram corridor.

Gill Churcher - further question re width of corridor, safety margin and net width.

Mr Barnett giving sizes. 1.m metres safety zone. 900 track 600 overhang and 600 safety zone on other side. A bit of confusion.

Inspector calculating total width! Everything stopped trying to work out sizes.

Inspector asked for more measurements.

Mr Quirk asked questions about railway legislation.


Sorry. I think I have lost some comments from Mr Allan re traffic modelling.

thinks that traffic flow will improve.

Questionned by Mr Hannay re basis of improved traffic flow. answer evidence re shared space.


Further explanations about traffic modelling. Can't understand.

Inspector summarised that model takes account of additional crossing.

Mr quirk - no comparison with model for road with tram tracks. Clarification, yes it has been compared with current situation.

Mr C? Various professional qualifications. Another consultant. Has investigated over 300 accidents. Road safety audit team.

4 stages to road audit.

This audit just stage one based on application.

Audit finalised on 18 May. Not seen full set of drawings.

14 safety problems, All addressed. Mitigated in revised plans.

Mr Quirk - any advice on walkway. Yes, included safety audit of whole scheme.

Mr Quirk - who provided information on stopping distance on trams. NOT PROVIDED. but did ride on "to get a feel" of stopping distance.

Mr Burroughs. Next consultant to talk. Project management.

Concept forming basis of application.

Talking about emissions.

No adverse impact on air quality.

No negative noise levels.

Removal of potholes may reduce noise.

Tramway capable of being risk assessed and safe.

footway alterations improve public space around Gaiety.

Summary: everything will be better.

Shared space of trams and other can be safe.

Moving horse trams will make it safer.

Railway experts consulted.

Statement by Mr Burroughs submitted to environment safety and health,

Mr Hannay asking what "a lot of opposition" to positioning of tram tracks alongside road in 2014 amounted to. Where is evidence?

NO MINUTES OF MEETING WITH STAKEHOLDERS

Inspector reading out results of 2014 consultation.

Murray Lambden whether the 2014 consultation included any online consultation. (using the MHK approach of knowing the answer)! NO

 2010 consultations were much more extensive.


Mr Yellop now talking about health and safety.


Risk profiling - reduced risk as far as possible, Horse tram operator consulted.

Defines reasonable foreseeable.

Job to ensure there is co-operation between all parties to make it safe,




























Off we go

At the table at the front of the inquiry room.

THESE NOTES FOR GUIDANCE ONLY. UNOFFICIAL

Started.

Kaz Ryzner opening statement for DoI.

Douglas Borough Council now introducing Comment about late receipt of risk assessment.

People speaking registered to speak against will be:

Bruce Hannay

David Quirk

Murray Lambden

John Pennington

Michael Fayle

Dudley Butt

David Churcher

Gill Churcher

Patricia Newton

Vanda Murray

Reference to Andy & Maria Bridson objections. Not able to attend meeting. If they know when they can attend they will be able to submit questions. Mr Bridson announced that he is here!

ML clarified that Facebook group an outlet for a campaign not a formal group.

Mr & Mrs Bridson to speak this evening.

Criticism of late submission of risk assessment. Consultant was not intending to stay beyond today.

If consultants who submitted risk assessment not available throughout inquiry may be adjourned after  all other evidence.

Site inspection. Inspector walked prom many times,  Walked the prom this weekend and further inspection with notes. Monday morning walked again. And Tuesday night, Assessing peak hour traffic. Will visit again. Has previously been on horse trams.

Copies of risk assessment to be printed for those who have not seen it.

Certification re ownership of land. Other land owners own part of the site. Ownership form not completed correctly. Request for an amended land ownership certificate. Inspector satisfied that nobody prejudiced.

When was application made? Part of old system. Transfer of planning function since then. Inspector describes in as "unusual". Surprising that inquiry under old system. May ask for professional opinion re status of planning systems.

Procedural matters complete.

Mr Allan - another consultant. traffic engineer. 16 years experience. Company called SIS. travelling modeling.

Two new roundabouts.

Moving tramways.

Current start/stop traffic behaviour will be reduced. Reduced journey time reliability.

No specific objections about traffic modelling but some about use of roundabout.

Inspector says that people might not have understood what traffic modeling is?

Mr Allan explains how modelling works.









You should see a sidebar with links to all the documents at the Cabinet Office and also our own document store which you can access here:

http://1drv.ms/1NBx3Vg

I have added the Safety Report - sorry its late but it was only sent to me yesterday and I have a day job!

Agenda for public inquiry today

Ref No: DF15/0019 (linked to DF15/0022 & DF15/0023)
Application No: 15/00594/B (linked to 15/00598/CON & 15/00599/CON)
______________________________________________________________
INQUIRY AGENDA
_______________________________________________________________
Inquiry to open on: 25 November 2015 at 09.30hrs
Wednesday - iMuseum meeting room, Kingswood Grove, Douglas
Thursday - the Barool Suite, Legislative Buildings, Finch Road, Douglas
Friday  - the Barool Suite, Legislative Buildings, Finch Road, Douglas
Wednesday Evening Session to be held at Sefton Hotel - 18.00hrs, 25 November 2015
________________________________________________________________
Applications for Planning Approval and Registered Building Consent by
The Department of Infrastructure Highway Services Division (DI HSD) for:
(i). Re-construction of the highway and footways to create low speed streetscape, re-location of horse tram tracks on to the promenade walkway, re-surfacing the promenade walkway and creation of a cultural quarter near the Gaiety Theatre, Douglas Promenade, (from Peveril Square to Strathallan Crescent Douglas)
(ii). Change of surface to external footway at Registered Building No 200, The Gaiety Theatre, Harris Promenade, Douglas.
(iii). Change of surface to external footway at Registered Building No 82, Castle Mona Colonnade, Central Promenade Douglas.
________________________________________________________________
1. Inquiry Opening/Introductions/General Rules
2. Notifications/Certification and Planning Regulations
3. Appearances/Representations/Press
4. Procedure/Programme/Other matters
5. Queries and Matters of Clarification
________________________________________________________________
PART 1
THE CASES AND STATEMENTS OF THE PARTIES
________________________________________________________________
6. Case for the Department of Infrastructure, Highway Services
(DI HSD) - Applicant
 Opening statement – Brief introduction (Mr Kaz Ryzner)
 Initial Planning Statement of Case and Application Reports (May 2015)
 Supplementary Planning Information (August 2015)
 The Amended Scheme
 Statement and outline - Mr Kaz Ryzner
 Project Design Issues - Mr J Davidson
 Highway Design - Mr P Barnett
 Streetscape Planning - Mr A Thompson
 Option Testing Report - Mr R Allan
 Road Safety Audit - Mr R Cyples
 Summary of Proposals - Mr A Burroughs
 Risk Assessment/safety- Mr Yellup
 Tramway Provision on the Promenade and Walkway (see PART 2)
7. Statement by Planning and Building Control Directorate (PBDC)
 Brief introduction
 Main considerations for Inspector and Council of Minsters
 Statement
 Matters of clarification
 Questions
8. Case for Highways Services Directorate (HSD)
As HSD responding to the Application
 Introduction
 Car Parking Provision
 Impact on Traffic Flows
 Pedestrian Movements
 Horse Trams
 General
9. Case for Manx National Heritage (MNH)
10. Case for Douglas Borough Council (DBC)
11. Cases for Objectors to the Application (OA)
 Initial Objections to the applications
 Objections following amendments
 Named Objectors and those wishing to speak at the Inquiry
12. Other Representations
 Manx Utilities
 Isle of Man Fire and Rescue Services
_________________________________________________________
PART 2
13. The Matters relating to the Re-location of the Tramway
 History and present situation
 Previous proposed scheme (tramway in carriageway Option A)
 Current up-to-date proposal (Option B)
 Alternative Options by others (dual track/single track in carriageway)
 Effect on visual amenity (Character and appearance of DPCA)
 Parking provisions
 Other Promenade uses (funfairs, markets, exhibitions, events)
 Safety: pedestrians; (including those who are visually impaired or disabled); cyclists; children/prams; dogs; other users.
14. Risk Assessments
 Initial Risk Assessments (1.DOI and 2.BSA)
 Designers Risk Assessment (combination of the two above)
 Operators Risk Assessment (Pegasus for DBC)
 Issues referred to in Shared Surface Report
 Any other matters
15. Conditions
16. Any other matters
17. Closing submissions
18. Close
AGENDA for Evening Session at Sefton Hotel (25/11/15 at 18.00hrs)
________________________________________________________________
Inquiry into
Applications for Planning Approval and Registered Building Consent by
The Department of Infrastructure Highway Services Division (DI HSD) for:
(i). Re-construction of the highway and footways to create low speed streetscape, re-location of horse tram tracks on to the promenade walkway,re-surfacing the promenade walkway and creation of a cultural quarter near the Gaiety Theatre, Douglas Promenade, (from Peveril Square to Strathallan Crescent Douglas)
(ii). Change of surface to external footway at Registered Building No 200, The Gaiety Theatre, Harris Promenade, Douglas.
(iii). Change of surface to external footway at Registered Building No 82, Castle Mona Colonnade, Central Promenade Douglas.
________________________________________________________________
1. Introductions. Purpose of session/Part of Inquiry/Not a public meeting
2. Brief outline of Cases and/or Statements
 Applicant
 Planning
 Highways
 Objectors
3. Questions and matters of clarification
4. Matters relating to relocation of tramway on to Promenade Walkway
 Visual amenity effects (Character and appearance of DPCA)
 Parking provisions
 Other Promenade uses (funfairs, markets, exhibitions)
 Safety/pedestrians/cyclists/children/dogs/blind persons/disabled
 Suggested Alternatives by Objectors
1. Dual track in carriageway and,
2. Single track in carriageway (side/middle)
5. Risk Assessments
 Outline Explanation by Applicant team
 Combined Designer RA
 DBC Operator’s RA
 Questions
6. Shared Surface Report
 Introduction
 Questions/Matters of clarification
7. Other Matters