The Cabinet Member for City Services is scheduled to discuss a number of petitions and traffic-related issues, including parking, cycleways, school streets, and weight restrictions. The meeting will also address the Statement of Licensing Policy for taxis and private hire vehicles.

School Streets Programme

A report evaluating the first year of operation of the four Phase 2 School Street schemes is scheduled to be presented. The schemes, which restrict motor vehicle access on designated roads during specific times at the start and end of the school day, cover roads adjacent to Southfields Primary School, Ravensdale Primary School, Stanton Bridge Primary School, and Cardinal Wiseman Secondary School.

The report includes feedback from schools and residents, on-street observations, and data collected through monitoring equipment. This information is intended to inform a decision on whether the schemes should be made permanent. According to the Public Reports Pack, the Cabinet Member for City Services, Councillor Patricia Hetherton, will be asked to approve making the experimental orders permanent and to continue using Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras at all five School Streets to monitor compliance.

The report also reflects on lessons learned from the Phase 1 scheme at Knights Templar Way, and outlines proposals for Phase 3 of the School Streets programme. Three new sites have been identified for Phase 3: Holbrook Primary School (Gateside Road and Crown Green), Limbrick Wood Primary School (Bush Close), and Aldermoor Farm Primary School (Pinley Fields).

City Centre Cycle Route

The meeting will include a discussion on designating cycle routes in the city centre. The City Centre Cycleway route between Pool Meadow Bus Station and Coventry Railway Station is proposed along the same corridor as the anticipated first route of Coventry Very Light Rail¹ (CVLR). The report pack states that the section of City Centre Cycleway between Queen Victoria Road and Pool Meadow was already included in a previous decision, but due to ongoing works to design and deliver the on-road trial of CVLR on Queen Victoria Road and Greyfriars Road, it was not possible to include the scope of the City Centre Cycleway south of Queen Victoria Road at that time.

The report states that the cycleway will continue along Greyfriars Road and part of Warwick Road to reach Coventry Railway Station, and as such parts of these roads will need to have sections of footway designated as cycleway. It is also noted that the development of VITA Student accommodation on Warwick Road released Section 106² (S106) funding to deliver cycling improvements along Warwick Road. The Cabinet Member for City Services will be asked to approve the removal of footways and construction of new footways and cycle tracks on several roads, including Queen Victoria Road, Greyfriars Road, Warwick Row, Warwick Road, Manor House Drive, Ringway St Patricks, Eaton Road, Friargate Boulevard, Westminster Road, Central Six Retail Park Access Road, Michaelmas Road and Spencer Road. They will also be asked to approve the designation of cycle track along Freemens Way, Greyfriars Green and the footpath between Manor House Drive and Warwick Road.

Weight Restriction on London Road

The report pack includes a report on a proposed weight restriction on London Road (B4110). According to the report, some heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) are using the section of London Road between ASDA Roundabout and Tollbar End for direct access between A45 / A46 and the north. Residents in Whitley and Willenhall have raised concerns about the adverse traffic and environmental impacts caused by these vehicles.

The report suggests introducing a 7.5 tonnes weight restriction using an experimental traffic regulation order (ETRO). This would enable the council to trial the prohibition for 18 months before deciding whether to make the weight restriction permanent or remove it.

The Cabinet Member for City Services will be asked to note the intention to introduce an ETRO weight restriction on London Road and to request that officers monitor the performance of the ETRO and produce a follow-up report.

Community and Residential Parking Provision, Spon End

A report regarding a petition requesting sufficient parking promised to the community and residents as part of the Spon End road widening scheme is scheduled to be discussed. The petition, which has 201 signatures, is sponsored by Councillor J Gardiner, a Sherbourne Ward Councillor, who has been invited to the meeting.

The report pack states that the demolition of Godiva Carpets, has created space for the parking provision committed to as part of the Spon End Air Quality scheme. The proposed car park will include a private 10-space car park for residents and five freely accessible, short-term drop-off and pick-up spaces.

The Cabinet Member for City Services will be asked to note the petitioners' concerns and endorse the actions detailed in the determination letter to the petition organisers.

Watery Lane Prohibition of Driving Order

The Cabinet Member for City Services is scheduled to consider objections to the proposed City Of Coventry (Watery Lane, Parish of Allesley)(Prohibition of Driving) Order 2024.

The report pack states that residents, with the support of Allesley Parish Council, have contacted the council regarding concerns about antisocial behaviour and misuse of Watery Lane, Corley Moor. In response, a scheme proposing restrictions to prevent motor traffic from using a section of Watery Lane was developed.

The report pack notes that six objections were received, raising concerns about the impact and inconvenience of the restriction on residents and landowners, and the risk of facilitating other types of antisocial behaviour on Watery Lane and neighbouring roads.

The Cabinet Member for City Services will be asked to consider the objections, approve that the Order as advertised is not implemented, and endorse officers introducing a 12-to-18-month trial using an ETRO with semi-permanent temporary traffic management measures.

Petitions Determined by Letter

The Cabinet Member for City Services will consider a report from the Director of Regeneration and Economy regarding petitions received relating to the portfolio of the Cabinet Member.

The report pack notes that amendments to the Petitions Scheme were approved in June 2015 to provide flexibility and streamline current practice, allowing a petition to be dealt with or responded to by letter without being formally presented in a report to a Cabinet Member meeting.

The Cabinet Member for City Services will be asked to endorse the actions being taken by officers in response to the petitions received, as set out in the report.