Wrthi'n llwytho
Does dim crynodeb o'r cyfarfod hwn eto. Caiff un ei ysgrifennu pan fydd y cyngor yn cyhoeddi'r cofnodion. Mae'r agenda a'r papurau isod.
Councillor Sterry asked: All members will recently have received detailed correspondence from a city centre business owner, writing on behalf of themselves and others, raising serious concerns about the current accessibility and viability of Newport city centre, particularly in the areas around High Street and Upper Dock Street. The issues raised were not isolated but reflected a consistent pattern of concern from multiple businesses, including long-established family traders, and related specifically to: The lack of available drop-off and pick-up points within the city centre The extent and duration of road closures, including the closure of Upper Dock Street for up to 20 hours per day The cumulative impact of bollards, double yellow lines, and restricted access on customer behaviour Ongoing delivery difficulties due to limited access windows Increased congestion on surrounding routes such as Skinner Street And a clear disconnect between reported increases in footfall and the lived experience of businesses operating in the area Businesses have indicated that these issues are contributing to reduced footfall, loss of trade, and, in some cases, decisions to close or relocate outside of Newport. Given that this correspondence has been circulated to all councillors and highlights matters of significant concern to the economic health of the city centre, can the Cabinet Member clarify: What assessment has been undertaken of the impact that current access restrictions and road closures are having on city centre businesses, particularly in the High Street and Upper Dock Street area? What provision currently exists for safe and legal drop-off and pick-up within the city centre during restricted hours, and whether this is considered sufficient? What is the justification for the current extent and duration of bollard-controlled closures, and whether any review of their operation is planned? How footfall in the city centre is measured, and whether this data is cross-referenced with business performance indicators to ensure it reflects actual economic activity? Whether the Council will now commit to an urgent review of city centre access arrangements, working directly with affected businesses, to ensure the balance between safety, accessibility, and economic sustainability is appropriate? Given that these concerns have now been formally raised to all members and reflect a growing level of dissatisfaction among city centre businesses, will the Cabinet Member commit to meeting directly with those affected on-site and bringing forward a clear plan of action within a defined timeframe? Councillor Clarke responded: There has been a prohibition of driving and waiting traffic order in place across the city centre since 1997, which includes Upper Dock Street, Griffin Street, Market Street and High Street. The order restricts vehicular access to 06:00-10:00 each day to facilitate deliveries to businesses. The restrictions have always been, and remain, clearly signposted at every entrance point to ensure motorists are fully aware of the times where access is legally permitted. The council has not amended nor introduced additional traffic restrictions as pert of the recent works. Whilst users of the highway have ignored the restriction in the past, the fact remains that driving a motorised vehicle through pedestrian areas is a moving traffic offence enforced by police. The installation of the bollards to enforce the existing traffic regulation order was considered following serious concerns being raised by the Police regarding the safety and security of the city centre. The council took the decision to commence the installation of measures to control vehicular access, similar to that provided within Cardiff and other major cities across the UK. These measures will include modern automated bollards at entry points, to ensure compliance with the legal traffic order. Therefore, there are no plans to review the existing restrictions which comply with the minimum police recommendations. In terms of other parking and loading opportunities, there are several local loading bays across the city that remain outside of the current access restrictions and approximately 193 on street parking places within the city centre subject to limited waiting traffic orders, generally restricted to 20 minutes, 1 and 2 hour maximum wait should drivers wish to park on street at no charge. Regarding traffic congestion on Skinner Street, this is due to drivers accessing the city centre via Stow Hill in contravention of the traffic regulation order. Officers will bring this concern to the attention of Gwent Police. Related to footfall, in March 2025 new footfall cameras were in installed in 10 locations across the city centre, capturing footfall data in key locations – including a camera located in Upper Dock Street. The Council does not hold information on the trading performance of businesses but the footfall data for the Upper Dock Street camera suggests that there were actually more pedestrians using Upper Dock Street in March compared to January and February – not less. Recorded data shows that footfall increased from 120,235 in January 2026 to 135,420 in March 2026.
Rhaid i gynghorwyr ddweud pan fydd ganddyn nhw gysylltiad personol â rhywbeth sy'n cael ei drafod, fel swydd, eiddo neu aelod o'r teulu. Mae buddiant sy'n rhagfarnu yn ddigon cryf i'r cynghorydd adael yr ystafell fel arfer a pheidio â chymryd rhan.
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