Agenda and minutes

In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, the Chair and Vice-Chair must be County Councillors.

RESOLVED that Councillors Yabsley and Leaver be elected Chair and Vice-Chair respectively for the ensuing year.

Minutes of the meeting held on 16 November 2022 (previously circulated).

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 11 November 2022 be signed as a correct record.

Item which in the opinion of the Chairman should be considered at the meeting as matters of urgency.

There were no items raised as a matter of urgency.

Report of the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport (CET/23/2).

The Committee received the report of the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport (CET/23/2) on the Traffic Sensitive Streets Review 2023.

It was noted that the Council had a statutory duty to co-ordinate works activities on the road network, which included the power to enable the designation of certain streets as ‘traffic sensitive’.  Such designation allowed works on a road to be better regulated to ensure the free flow of traffic.

The Review was required for two purposes:

·         To ensure Devon’s traffic sensitive network was in line with network changes and reflected the current traffic choices of our communities.

·         To ensure compliance with statutory changes.

Members’ questions and discussion points with Officers included:

·         Officers agreed to provide Members with the previous route list following the last review.

·         Concern at the lack of co-ordination of planned work between the Council and the utility companies and Officers confirmed they were in talks with the utility companies to ensure the correct sequence of works.

·         Concern at incorrect information on the website impacting road users relating to road closures, but Officers clarified that the website showed the correct legal status of any works at the time.

·         Officers confirmed that it was the entire road network that was being reviewed.

Members were happy to note the report.

A Bus Users and Stakeholders (BUS) Forum has been established by Devon Bus Enhanced Partnership Board under the new Enhanced Partnership arrangements (more information on the Travel Devon website: DevonBus Enhanced Partnership - Travel Devon).

This would be an opportunity to share information, receive feedback and discuss relevant issues amongst stakeholder representatives. The Board has agreed that one representative from each Highways and Traffic Orders Committee (8 in total) should be appointed to the Forum to help ensure adequate geographical representation of elected Members. Other key stakeholders and interested parties will be invited to join the Forum.

The date of the first meeting of the Forum was 9 February 2023.  The Forum will meet 3 times a year.

RECOMMENDED that a representative from this Committee be appointed.

The Committee noted the establishment of the Bus Users and Stakeholders (BUS) Forum by the Devon Bus Enhanced Partnership Board under the new Enhanced Partnership arrangements.

RESOLVED that Councillor Maskell be appointed to the Bus Users and Stakeholders (BUS) Forum as the Committee’s representative.

Report of the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport (CET/23/40).

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport (CET/23/40) and presentation given on the Barnstaple Longbridge Junction Scheme. 

In summary, the scheme aimed to improve pedestrian and cycle facilities through the Longbridge Junction by rationalising vehicle movements through the junction and the Station Road Roundabout to make crossings easier for people walking, wheeling and cycling to and from the town centre.

The Committee’s approval was sought for approval in principle for the scheme to go to public consultation.

Members’ questions and discussion points with Officers included:

·         It was hoped that the ‘green’ areas shown on the map could be maintained by the town council under existing schemes.

·         Members suggested it would aid traffic flow if the scheme were to include a No right turn from the Halfords car park; and also a suggestion of allowing traffic to exit out of the north end of the Pets at Home car park.

·         The re-design of Longbridge was currently being looked at, but would require significant funding.

It was noted that further modelling work was taking place and a more detailed analysis would be provided as part of the consultation and any future reports for decision making purposes.

It was MOVED by Councillor Leaver, SECONDED by Councillor Davis and

RESOLVED that:

(a)  The scheme shown in Appendix I is approved in principle for public consultation; and

(b)  subject to the outcomes of public consultation, the necessary Traffic Regulation Orders are advertised;

(c)   the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport be given delegated powers, in consultation with the Chair of this Committee and the local Member to make amendments to the scheme details for a preferred scheme for approval at a future meeting of the Council’s Cabinet.

Report of the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport (CET/23/41).

The Committee considered the Report of the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport (CET/23/41) on the statutory consultation on the restrictions proposed in the North Devon area, as part of the local waiting restrictions programme. 

The proposals had been advertised from 23 February until 16 March 2023 and summarised in Appendix I of the Report. 

The respective local Member commented on each proposal.

It was MOVED by Councillor Yabsley, SECONDED by Councillor Biederman and

RESOLVED

(a)  that the work on the local waiting restriction programme be noted; and

(b)  that the recommendations contained in Appendix 2 to the Report be     agreed, subject to:

       (i)    that the proposals relating to Old Torrington Road, Sticklepath be dropped.

       (ii)   the site meeting for Victoria Lawn, Barnstaple also include Councillor Leaver, as the District Councillor for the area. 

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2) Councillor Biederman has requested that the Committee consider this matter.

In accordance with Standing Order 23 Councillor Biederman had asked that the Committee consider this matter.

Members noted the following:

·           Officers would re-send to Members a copy of the Cabinet report which was sent to them on 4 May, showing future works of the dragon patcher, together with the forward programme for approximately four months in advance.

·           There had been an unprecedented number of pothole defects reported during January-March that had had to be repaired in whatever conditions to avoid the risk of litigation.  It was now hoped to start triage patching, subject to demand.

·           Officers now had a comprehensive record of the location of drains, when cleaning was due and any defects, which would now be picked up.

·           Officers would circulate the programme showing where jetting was to be carried out, but it was a flexible programme governed by demand.

·           Officers would also provide information on the Government’s additional £9.4 million announced at the Spring Budget to help tackle the backlog of potholes in Devon.

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2) Councillor R Knight has requested that the Committee consider this matter.

In accordance with Standing Order 23 Councillor R Knight had asked that the Committee consider this matter. 

Councillor Maskell reported that about a year ago a site meeting had taken place to address the issues at this location, by adding it to a section 106 agreement, with a request for the lane to be made one way to stop the volume of traffic coming out of the new development.  The development had not yet commenced. 

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2) Councillor R Knight has requested that the Committee consider this matter.

In accordance with Standing Order 23 Councillor R Knight had asked that the Committee consider this matter.

Councillor R Knight was concerned at the volume of potholes and the unsafe parking of vans particularly on the corner of this road, and the problem with pavement parking.

Officers confirmed that currently pavement parking was not illegal; that the police had powers to deal with obstruction; and that driving on footways was an offence also, for the police to enforce.

[An item to be taken under s18 of the Traffic Management Act 2004 relating to any reviews of parking policy sought in line with the Council’s Petition Scheme.]

There was no petition from a member of the public or the Council relating to the North Devon district.

Report of the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport (CET/23/42).

The Committee received the Report of the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport (CET/23/42) on delegated decisions taken since the last meeting.

Members’ voiced concern as to the North Devon District Council proposal relating to the experimental e-scooter trial and lack of consultation.  It seemed the trial was now to be rolled-out in Braunton.  Concern was for people being unable to hear the e-scooters and of their use particularly on the Tarka Trail.

Officers clarified that the Department for Transport had given approval on a trial basis only for the use of e-scooters around the North Devon district. Users of the e-scooters would be verified by driving licence and registered via the Zipp Mobility app.  Other private e-scooters were illegal and could be seized by the police. All routes would be controlled by traffic orders. Reports of misuse on Zipp e-scooters could be made here: https://www.zippmobility.com/reporting.

2 October 2023 and 6 February 2024.

2 October 2023 and 6 February 2024.