Aims of the policy or strategy
A long road closure on Church Street to gain access to repair Lyme Regis Town Council building and to upgrade road signals at Bridge St, Lyme Regis, Dorset
Background to the proposal
The Lyme Regis Town Council building (Guildhall) overhangs the carriageway and the oriel window has been struck at least 6-8 times in the last 24 months, this includes being hit by a double deck bus and other times by large articulated lorries travelling east to west.
Attempts were made to mitigate this problem through traffic measures designed at further supporting and enforcing the existing 7.5T GVW (gross vehicle weight) restriction on this section of road but neither highway authority (Dorset Council and Connect South West) and Dorset Police supported this.
As such, the only remaining ‘solution’ is to reduce the projection of the oriel window, as the building is a Grade 2 listed building, this was reluctantly supported by English Heritage, Dorset Council (as planning authority) and LRTC as property owner.
Given the location of the window, the nature of the required works, the need to maintain contractor safety during the works, the extreme narrowness of the road adjoining the Guildhall and the acute bend immediately to the east, there is absolutely no alternative to closing the road for the duration of those works.
Whilst this work is taking place and the road is closed, it is an opportunity to replace the traffic signals located near to the Guildhall on Bridge Street, the current traffic signals are near their end of life and need replacing. New signals will improve the flow of traffic through a very narrow section of road.
To carry out this upgrade, the road needs to be closed for over one-month, this has not yet been confirmed, as works programme still needs to be agreed. Initial works would be to replace the traffic signals, so the road will be open to vehicle access outside working hours (9am-5pm). Once scaffolding is erected onto the town council building, the road will be closed to all vehicular access, however there would still be pedestrian access.
Vehicles travelling through Lyme Regis will be diverted to the nearest suitable route. Buses will be diverted, changing the bus stop locations.
Intelligence and Communication
Data, information, evidence and research used and how it has influenced the decision-making process
- planning permission has been granted by Dorset Council to reduce projection of first floor council chamber oriel window and carry out stone repairs to Mayor’s parlour oriel and pediment over front door. Planning application: WD/D/20/002799 granted on 30 April 2021
- Dorset Insight – Lyme Regis Town Area Profile
- Lyme Regis Bus routes
Previous closures at this location have shown the following needs to be considered:
- the closure can only take place in winter months as Lyme Regis is less busy with visitors
- bus routes need to be rerouted
- this section of road is very narrow and limits pedestrian access when road is closed
Lyme Regis demographic profile
Lyme Regis has a population of 3,708 which is broken down into the following age groups:
- 0-15 years 433 (11.7%)
- 16-64 years 1901(51.3%)
- 65+ years 1374 (37.1%)
- 76.8% of residents report having very good or good health.
- 20.5% do not have a car or van in household
(Census 2011. Office for National Statistics)
Bus routes
Lyme Regis is served by the following buses:
- X53 Jurassic Weymouth to Axminster
- X51 Dorchester to Axminster
- 9A Seaton to Lyme Regis
- 71 Lyme Regis Town Bus
X53/X51 operates daily arriving in Lyme Regs every two hours from 08.26 to 17.24.
71 operates Monday to Friday is a circular bus route to and from Fairfield Park, leaving Fairfield Park at 09.12, 10.15, 11.15, 13.15 and 14.15.
9A operates Monday to Friday leaving Lyme Regis The Square at 09.27 and then at 27 minutes each hour until 13.35, 14.35,15.35, 16.50, 17.50, 18.55, 19.55 and 20.55.
Engagement or consultation that has taken place as part of this EqIA
- 12 weeks before the road closure. The Dorset Council Traffic team will consult with all major stakeholders nationally, regionally, and local. This includes all coach and bus companions
- immediate local residents will be notified by letter and signs will be displayed on the road
- information to the public will be circulated well in advance of the proposed closure, including Lyme Online Newspaper publishing an article on the road closure
- Dorset Council are working together with Lyme Regis Town Council to do a combined EqIA around the road closure
Feedback
LRTC will monitor social media and review the arrangements on a weekly basis.
To monitor the responses to pre works consultation and then feed back
Assessment
Impacts of the strategy
| Impacts on who or what | Effect | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Age: | Unclear/Negative | For people who live on the east side of the town and use buses to travel into Lyme Regis or travel out onto other destinations, will have embark/disembark the bus in the opposite direction, so travelling westwards potentially along Anning Road to then reach The Square/Cobb Gate in Lyme Regis. Re-routing the bus will help to mitigate against people having to walk a distance to catch a bus which may impact on young children and older people. Census information shows that 37.1% of the Lyme Regis population are aged over % 65+year and 11.7% are aged 0-15 years. We are not able to break this data down into the numbers who live on the east side of the town or who use the bus services. Pedestrians would still have access to The Square/Cobb Gate via Church Street |
Disability: (including physical, mental, sensory and progressive conditions) Pregnancy and maternity |
Negative | Bus users with any disability and who live and use buses to travel into Lyme Regis or travel out onto other destinations, will have embark/disembark the bus in the opposite direction, so travelling westwards potentially along Anning Road to then reach The Square/Cobb Gate in Lyme Regis. Depending on where the bus routes are located on the opposite journey may mean a greater distance to travel which could impact on people with limited or reduced mobility. Pedestrians would still have access to The Square/Cobb Gate via Church Street and this access will be fully accessible and include high visibility markers and ramps. |
Gender Reassignment & Gender Identity Race and Ethnicity: Religion or belief: Sexual orientation Sex (consider both men and women) Marriage or civil partnership Rural isolation Single parent families Social & economic deprivation Armed Forces communities |
Neutral | We do not anticipate that is work will have an impact on this protected characteristic group |
| Carers | Negative | For people who live on the east side of the town and use buses to travel into Lyme Regis Lyme Regis or travel out onto other destinations, will have embark/disembark the bus in the opposite direction, so travelling westwards potentially along Anning Road to then reach The Square/Cobb Gate in Lyme Regis. Depending on where the bus routes are located on the opposite journey may mean a greater distance to travel which this could impact on carers, who may be caring for another individual. |
Key to effects or impacts
Positive - the proposal eliminates discrimination, advances equality of opportunity and/or fosters good relations with protected groups
Negative - protected characteristic group(s) could be disadvantaged or discriminated against
Neutral - no change/ no assessed significant impact of protected characteristic groups
Negative - protected characteristic group(s) could be disadvantaged or discriminated against
Action Plan
| Issue | Action to be taken | Person(s) responsible | Date to be completed by |
|---|---|---|---|
Age & Disability: Bus rerouting |
LRTC will engage with the local bus companies to allow for services on Charmouth Rd. Where this is not possible LRTC will enquire with the town bus service (service 71) to provide weekend cover to take members of the public to the Broad Street bus stop. | Officers at Lyme Regis Town Council | March 2022 No defined date yet, but consultation will take place in the first 13 weeks before the road closure |
Age & Disability: Bus rerouting |
It is possible that closing the road may unfairly disadvantage some people as the bus stop may move further away. LRTC will attempt to mitigate this by engagement with the bus companies and town bus service for off-peak travel | Officers at Lyme Regis Town Council and Dorset Council | March 2022 |
| Diversion around Works | The Dorset Council Traffic team will consult with all major stakeholders nationally, regionally, and local. This includes all coach and general road haulage companies, police and emergency organisations. | Officers at Dorset Council Traffic Team | March 2022 |
People who have agreed the EQIA
Officer completing this EqIA: Roger Bell Date: 27 June 2021
Equality Lead: Susan Ward-Rice Date: 29 June 2021
Second Sign Off: Rebecca Forrester Date: 30 June 2021