To receive an update from Jess Cully, Project Centre.

The Chairman invited Jess Cully, Senior Engagement Consultant, Project Centre, to give a presentation to the Forum. The presentation was attached to the minutes.

Dominic Manley asked if the surface was flat between the buildings currently or if they were currently kerbs on either side. Dominic Manley commented that for the Forum it would be useful to know what was there now and what would be changing specifically issues associated with wheelchair and scooter users, people with reduced sight and ingress and egress from that area.

Lisa Hughes updated the Forum that both her and the Chairman had had a call with the project centre and the people involved in the project at a very early stage. This was not disclosed to anyone as at that point the project was confidential for security reasons. Both Lisa and Angela discussed the project specifically around paving, kerbs, the tactile paving at crossing points and whether the Heritage considerations of the site and accessibility and tactile paving could be addressed. The mortar between the old cobbles would be looked at to see if the difficulties for wheelchair users could be reduced.

The Chairman asked about how taxi’s would now turn around on Thames Street and David Scott responded that as part of the revised scheme, the taxi rank was the challenge to how it would relate to the revised scheme. The intention was to avoid Castle Hill being used as a turning point.

Neil White, Principal Landscape Architect, Project Centre, gave a presentation to the Forum. The presentation was attached.

Neil White presented a number of slides to explain the inspiration and materials that would be used along Castle Hill, and the wider area. Neil White explained that the paving materials palette that were to be used on Castle Hill were to be granite within the roads and Yorkstone within the paved areas, confirming all materials would be non-slip, had a flat surface and would be designed to current regulations. Neil White confirmed that the side streets such as Church St, and Market St, would remain as existing to retain the character, with only light remedial works, such as relaying loose cobbles would be undertaken only. It was agreed that where tactile paving was indicated on the general arrangement plan that Yorkstone pimple paving would be used. It was discussed and agreed at the meeting that the raised pedestrian crossing points at Albans St, and at the beginning of Castle Hill near to the statue of Victoria would have no tactile paving. Neil White confirmed that the existing wall seats would remain, but no additional seating was proposed along Castle Hill. The kerb height along Castle Hill was 60mm and additional lighting would be incorporated within Castle Hill.

David Scott left the meeting.

Robin Pemberton commented that there was a serious incline on the slope up to the gates and there was no seating on the plans but there is some on the pictorial. Would there be seating as this was important for people resting there? Neil White commented that the seating would remain as it currently was which ran alongside the wall of the castle. There would be no additional seating on Castle Hill.

Lisa Hughes confirmed that the use of tactile York stone at the pedestrian crossing would be ok  as it was a low traffic area and therefore danger to pedestrians would be minimised. The main concern that Lisa had was  the raised pedestrian crossing point at the junction of Thames Street and Castle Hill as cars could still drive into that area, would it be better if some kind of tactile paving or something that would alert pedestrians with visual impairment that they would be crossing a roadway. Neil White commented that the difference in colour of the York stone footpath and the granite roadway would be a contrast. There would be signage for traffic, a continual flow of pedestrians at the crossing and the castle would be staffing  the area too. There was a public consultation taking place currently until 10 January 2021. The details would be sent to the Forum Members.

The Chairman thanked all for attending and updating the Forum.

The Chairman alerted Forum Members of a RBWM consultation on the council tax reduction scheme. The Chairman gave a brief background on this.