Present

Devon County Council

Councillors Lee (Chairman), Berry, Colthorpe, Hannon, Radford and Way

Mid Devon District Council

Councillors Holloway and Wilson

*52 Minutes

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 20 June 2011 be signed as a correct record.

*53 Urgent Items

(Items taken under Section 100B(4) of the Local Government Act 1972)

The Chairman had decided that at the request of Councillors Way, Hannon and Radford the following items should be considered at the meeting as a matters of urgency to allow discussion by the Committee of these current issues.

(a) Petition

Councillor Way presented a petition for a 20mph speed limit on Exeter Road, Crediton, signed by 60 residents. The Chairman received the petition on behalf of the Committee and asked officers to investigate the proposal in the petition.

(b) Fore Street, Tiverton

Councillor Hannon asked officers to seek to reduce the impact of road works which were currently underway in Fore Street by liaising with the contractors and asked that he be given the name of the site manager.

(c) Willand Footbridge

In response to a request from Councillor Radford, officers updated the Committee on the costs associated with the construction of the Willand Footbridge. The Head of Highways and Traffic Management advised Members that the cost of the bridge itself would be in the region of 160,000 with an extra 50,000 for associated works and stressed that the design of the bridge had not yet been finalised. It was agreed that a report be made about the footbridge to the next meeting of the Committee in March 2012.

(d) Uffculme Footway Link Scheme

In response to a request from Councillor Radford officers updated the Committee on the situation with respect to the construction of a footway link in Uffculme approved by the Chairman and Local Member (Councillor Radford) following a site meeting, as agreed at the last meeting of this Committee (Minute *48 refers). The Head of Highways and Traffic Management advised Members that the Parish Council had requested that the scheme be determined as it stands and not to complete the scheme as shown in drawing number C08034/12. Members discussed at length the level of consultation officers had undertaken with the Parish Council and whether this was adequate and the need to ensure that the County Council did not incur additional costs if the scheme was finished now.

It was MOVED by Councillor Colthorpe, SECONDED by Councillor Lee and

RESOLVED that in view of the strength of local opposition no further work be undertaken on the Uffculme Footway Link scheme.

*54 Gornhay Syphon Improvements

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Highways and Traffic Management (HTM/11/11 - text only | pdf HTM/11/11) discussing the proposed improvements to the syphon beneath the A361 North Devon Link Road at Gornhay, Tiverton.

It was MOVED by Councillor Hannon, SECONDED by Councillor Way and

RESOLVED

(a) that the scheme layout shown in Appendix 1 to the report be approved for construction at an estimated cost of 198,500;

(b) that approval be given to secure the necessary land for the scheme by negotiation.

*55 An Update on Traffic Management and Parking Issues in Cullompton

Head of Highways and Traffic Management reported on loading bay, parking problems and other issues in Cullompton which included a safety audit, clarification of S106 money, consideration of additional parking near the library, and SWW proposed works due to take place in November/December. Councillor Holloway requested that officers provide a written summary of all the traffic issues in Cullompton to include the one way system and traffic lights in Tiverton Road. Officers agreed to create a document for Cullompton. Councillor Berry requested that the road works on Exeter Hill be cleared before Christmas and that officers investigate the possibility of a no parking order in Fore Street Cullompton during certain times.

*56 Provision of a Safe Route for Students from Willowbank School, Cullompton on their Way to the Sports Field

(Councillor Holloway declared a personal interest in this item by virtue of being a Governor of Willowbank School)

Head of Highways and Traffic Management reported that he had spoken to Willowbank School and no concern was expressed and that an appropriate footway would be installed as development progresses. After discussion officers agreed to look at the situation and attempt to determine a safe route for children to get from the school to the Sports Field.

*57 Enforcement Issues in Phoenix Lane Tiverton

Head of Highways and Traffic Management reported that following this issue being raised at the last meeting, legal parking was now being enforced in Phoenix Lane.

*58 Delegated Powers

Head of Highways and Traffic Management reported he would be introducing waiting restrictions in Tumbling Fields, Tiverton, as previously agreed at the last meeting and also that the proposed footway at Commercial Road, Uffculme had been approved by the local member and chair under delegated powers..

*59 Crediton Parking Places

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2), Councillors Lee and Way had requested that this item be placed on the agenda. Councillor Way outlined the problems associated with the part time loading bay restriction when the Loading Bay legend on the road surface was removed and replaced by signs on the pavement. He said that the DfT do not normally approve of signing on the road surface in these situations but he felt that on this occasion it would be the right solution. District Councillor Coran was invited by the Committee to speak and expressed his support for Councillor Way s comments.

It was MOVED by Councillor Way, SECONDED by Councillor Hannon and

RESOLVED

(a) that officers be requested to write to the DfT seeking an exemption to enable placing a Loading Bay legend at the part time loading bays in Market Street, Crediton;

(b) that officers review the signing already on site at the loading bay to make the restriction more apparent.

*60 Road Closure Orders

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2), Councillor Wilson had requested that the Committee discuss the implications of the new policy on restricted number of road closure orders in Mid Devon. Councillor Wilson explained that he understood that roads could only be closed for events etc. for 3 times a year and no more, and he felt that this was prohibitive. The Head of Highways and Traffic Management reported that more than one Temporary Traffic Restriction Order per calendar year requires DfT approval. This was not as daunting as it sounds as the DfT do not normally withhold approval. However the DfT require 3 months notice so the message to all events organisers was to get in their request for temporary road closure early. The Committee noted the position.

*61 Update on the Snow Warden Initiative

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2), Councillor John Berry had requested that this item be placed on the agenda. The Head of Highways and Traffic Management reported that Parish Councils were currently being contacted seeking applications from those wishing to become a snow warden. Training would be taking place in Tiverton, Crediton and possibly Cullompton. He then went on to update Members on details of the snow warden scheme.

Information was available about the scheme on the DCC website by following the link http://www.devon.gov.uk/snow-wardens.pdf .

*62 Items for Future Meetings

(a) The effect of the New Link Road on Crediton.

(b) Update on the Uffculme Footway scheme.

(c) Written summary of traffic management and Parking issues in Cullompton.

(d) 20mph speed limit on Exeter Road, Crediton.

*63 Date of Next Meeting

The Committee noted that the next meeting in the County Council calendar was due to be held on 12 March 2012.

*DENOTES DELEGATED MATTER WITH POWER TO ACT

The meeting started at 11.00am and finished at 1.15pm.

The Minutes of the Mid Devon Highways and Traffic Orders Committee are published on the County Council s Website at:-