Appendix F Torquay Town Centre Access Communications Plan February 2015 [Final Report] Strategic Transportation Planning Torbay Council 2nd Floor Electric House Torquay TQ1 3DR
CONTENTS 1 Introduction 3 2 Background 3 3 Measures 3 PREPARED BY Name: William Prendergast Position: Senior Transport Planner Date: 10/2/15 CHECKED BY Name: Patrick Carney Position: way Manager, Torbay Council Date: 12/2/15 Version Report Stage (draft, Prepared Checked by Agreed By Issued to Number etc) by 1 Final WP PC ITA 2
1 Introduction 1.1 This Communications Plan summarises how Torbay Council has, or will, engage with stakeholders. Evidence of stakeholder engagement in the scheme to date can be seen from the letters of support and Minutes from Council Meetings available on request. As shown below, stakeholder engagement will continue throughout the lifetime of the project and be embedded in the process. 2 Background 2.1 As the Local Authority and its economic delivery partner, both Torbay Council and the TDA recognise the value that improving infrastructure within the Bay (as well beyond it via the South Devon Link Road (SDLR)) will have in making the three towns and Bay as a whole better, stronger places in which to live, giving all residents a better way of life. 2.2 Torbay Council and the TDA are committed to ensuring Torbay s potential to be a successful and prosperous economy, attracting new jobs and saving existing ones, so as to help safeguard the whole area for generations to come and avoid further loss of local, talented people and all the associated socio-economic and demographic problems that would bring. 2.3 The improvement scheme as a whole is within the emerging Local Plan and Torquay Neighbourhood Plan, both of which have undergone rigorous public consultation and scrutiny. 2.4 As with the Local Plan, this improvement scheme has also been approved by the Full Council on 5 th February 2015.The overall scheme concept has been identified for many years, however, held back only by a lack of funding. Further information is available on request from strategic.planning@torbay.gov.uk. 2.5 The Torquay Neighbourhood Plan, with input from all 16 local Community Partnerships, supports the improvements that will encourage easier access for all stimulating the local economy. 2.6 The proposal has been presented to and agreed by the elected Mayor and deputy Mayor, as well as secured support of the Authority s Senior Executive Group consisting of Members and Senior Officers. The Transport Working Party, made up of Members and Officers and open to the press and public, recommended the scheme at its Extraordinary Meeting on 15 th January 2015, and will continue to receive programme updates as the scheme is delivered. 2.7 A public exhibition was held on the 7 th January at the Assembly Rooms, Torquay Town Hall, where over 100 people attended and provided verbal and written feedback upon the overall scheme as well as specific variations upon how traffic should be managed southbound from Trematon Avenue to Castle Circus along Union Street. 2.8 Two press releases before and during Christmas 2014 promoted the public exhibition to support an on-line and social media publicity campaign, backed by 3
direct emailing and contacts to specific local business, residents, and community groups including by local Members. 3 Measures 3.1 Part of ongoing stakeholder management will be achieved through implementing effective communication systems. Torbay Council s Corporate Communications Policy for all highway works will be implemented via its Communications Unit to ensure regular statements are issued to stakeholders including local media. This includes highlighting the relevant pages of the Council website. This will: Establish a co-ordinated approach and formal communication channel and procedure for contacting external partnership bodies to ensure a record of all correspondence and effective communication throughout the project period. Keep local and Executive Members informed on project progress. Inform those Torbay Council officers who are directly involved in the project, as well as provide an opportunity for others across the council to be kept up-to-date on the progress of the project throughout the programme period Keep key stakeholders and external partnership bodies informed on project progress. Inform the general public on the progress of the project and the achievement of key milestones. Establish a reporting mechanism/template, using DfT guidance (when available) to communicate the progress, expenditure and monitoring of the project to the DfT on an annual basis. Enhance public awareness of the scheme being delivered, especially for those resident or working in Torbay by working with our partners. Create a project brand to be used consistently on all communication material to enhance awareness and recognition of the project. 3.2 Statutory Consultees are to be informed of the scheme and any potential disruption to this major route. 3.3 Torbay Council will continue to publish details of the scheme on its website and will keep information regularly updated. A sign board with information on the project will be erected in a prominent position near to the proposed works. 3.4 Torbay Council ways team already operate a road works report system which is automatically sent to transport operators, emergency services, etc on a weekly basis and is published on its website. 3.5 Detailed design for the project as well as scheme progress will be presented to Councillors through the Transport Working Party for information and to ensure that they remain in support of the scheme. 3.6 Local consultation will also be carried out with businesses and residents to identify site specific issues. 4
3.7 The scheme has a variety of stakeholders. The table below provides a brief analysis. Stakeholder Local Councillors Statutory Undertakers Torquay Community Partnership, and Torre and Upon plus Torquay Town Centre Community Partnerships Transport Operators Network Rail Emergency Services Torbay Hospital Members of the Public Local Enterprise Partnership Area and Level of Interest (/med/low) Elected Member To ensure integrity of existing infrastructure and any additional provision Represents the interests of local people Local bus operators routes may be affected Improvements could see increased footfall at Torre station Need to be aware of any disruption for operation issues Users of way Network Users of way Network Economic Growth and financial interest Influence (/med/low) to Involvement Has constituent interests in mind and forms communication channel Has local interests in mind and forms communication channel Requires project to cause no/minimal impact on services to outcomes and future planning with NR to integrate planned and new improvement works Requires project to cause no/minimal impact on services to outcomes Management Strategy updates and involvement as appropriate as project progresses ongoing traffic management of scheme scheme scheme ongoing traffic management of scheme communication regarding progress & consultation communication in lead up to and during. communication in lead up to and during. updating through existing governance arrangements. Including Scheme evaluation. 5