Present:

Devon County Council

Councillors J Yabsley (Chairman), Cann, Chugg, Davis, Edgell, Fowler, Greenslade and Haywood

North Devon Council

Councillor Manuel

Apology

Councillor Mathews (NDC)

*14 Minutes

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 3 December 2009 be signed as a correct record.

*15 Devon on the Move , Devon Local Transport Plan (DLTP)

Proposed Programme for 2010/11

The Committee considered a report by the Area Engineer (North) (EEC/10/67/HQ - text only | pdf EEC/10/67/HQ) outlining the proposed programme for the fifth year of Devon on the Move , the statutory Local Transport Plan for Devon for 2006-2011 in accordance with the local transport capital settlement for Devon, announced by Government on 27 November 2007.

All schemes included in the LTP had to assist in meeting at least one of the seven LTP objectives: tackling traffic congestion; delivering accessibility; making roads safer; improving air quality; improving recreation, leisure and tourism; promoting health and well-being; and improving public space, and meet one of the Strategic Plan priorities: promoting Green Travel; improving roads and reducing congestion.

The total allocation for North Devon for the various programme elements: Highway Structural Maintenance and Bridge Assessment/Strengthening; Casualty Reduction and Route Management; Barnstaple and Bideford Area; and Towns, Villages and Rural Communities was 5,961,000.

The Area Engineer (North) responded to queries and comments from members who were particularly concerned about peak hour congestion on the A39 and welcomed the scheme to improve traffic flow at Roundswell.

It was MOVED by Councillor J Yabsley, SECONDED by Councillor Fowler and

RESOLVED

(a) that the funding provisions which have been included in the Cabinet report EEC/10/43/HQ - text only | pdf EEC/10/43/HQ ("Devon on the Move" Devon Local Transport Plan Proposed Programme for 2010/11), as described in Sections 1 to 3 of report EEC/10/67/HQ - text only | pdf EEC/10/67/HQ, be noted;

(b) that the local allocations for the North Devon HATOC area for School Travel Plans, Public Transport Facilities and Local Access Improvements, as listed in the table in Section 5 of report EEC/10/67/HQ - text only | pdf EEC/10/67/HQ, be approved.

*16 Devon Local Transport Plan - Scheme for Formal Approval

Marlborough Road Bus Layby

The Committee considered a report by the Area Engineer (North) (EEC/10/68/HQ - text only | pdf EEC/10/68/HQ) seeking scheme approval for the provision of a bus layby adjacent to the entrance of the John Fowler Holiday Park on the C582 Marlborough Road, Ilfracombe.

The scheme would be jointly funded by a developer contribution required under the terms of the planning consent for a new leisure club, conference centre and holiday apartments at the John Fowler Holiday Park and through the Local Transport Plan.

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

RESOLVED that the scheme shown on drawing number (HPE98270A\013 A) be approved at an estimated cost of 65,000.

*17 A Boards and other Advertising within the Highway

The Committee considered a report by the Area Engineer (North) (EEC/10/69/HQ - text only | pdf EEC/10/69/HQ):

outlining the current countywide policy relating to A Boards and other advertising within the highway and the reasons for its adoption;

drawing attention to the Environment, Economy and Scrutiny Committee s request for feedback from all HATOCS on the policy and its implementation so that it could be reviewed from a countywide perspective.

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

RESOLVED that the existing policy in relation to A boards and other advertising and displays within the highway be endorsed, subject to:

the proposed reduction in minimum remaining unobstructed width of footway to 1.5 metres;

more relaxed rules applying to pedestrianised areas;

consultation with groups representing the interests of disabled persons;

the revised policy being reviewed after 12 month s operation;

and that the Environment, Economy and Culture Scrutiny Committee be informed accordingly.

*18 Winter Maintenance of the Highways Network

Under Agenda Item 7, the Committee was asked to complete a questionnaire circulated to all HATOCS to help the Environment, Economy and Culture Scrutiny Committee s Winter Maintenance of the Highways Task Group investigate the effects of the severe winter weather on the highways network and the recent response in Devon.

The following points arose from a general discussion on road maintenance during the period of severe weather last January during which the Area Engineer (North) explained policies, priorities, practices and costs relating to winter maintenance and salting/gritting, and the lessons learned. Members:

commended highways staff for their dedication and hard work and their excellent communications during the period in question;

acknowledged that the North Devon Link Road and other principal routes had remained open most of the time;

asked whether more could be done to keep open roads serving hospitals and schools;

sought clarification of the legal position - from the insurance point of view - regarding self-help by Parish Councils and local residents in clearing snow and ice from the highway (minor roads/pavements);

asked whether - dependent on the position regarding self-help - strategic stockpiles of salt/grit could be provided in rural areas for community use.

It was MOVED by Councillor Greenslade, SECONDED by Councillor Cann and

RESOLVED that the Chairman and Vice-Chairman, in consultation with the Area Engineer (North), be authorised to complete and return the questionnaire on behalf of the Committee, taking into account the points raised above.

*19 Dates for Future Meetings

The Committee noted the following:

Next Meeting:

29 June 2010

Subsequent Meetings:

26 October 2010

22 March 2011

(all Tuesdays at 10.00am at Barnstaple Civic Centre).

*DENOTES DELEGATED MATTER WITH POWER TO ACT

The meeting started at 10.00am and finished at 11.10am

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