26 June 2012

Present:-

Devon County Council:-

Councillors Cann, Chugg, Edgell, Fowler, Greenslade and Haywood

North Devon Council:-

Councillors Biederman and Spear

Apologies:-

Councillors Davis and Yabsley (DCC) and Manuel (North Devon Council)

*68 Election of Chairman

RESOLVED: that Councillor Cann be elected Chairman for the ensuing year.

*69 Election of Vice-Chairman

RESOLVED: that Councillor Fowler be elected Vice-Chairman for the ensuing year.

*70 Minutes

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 20 March 2012 be signed as a correct record.

*71 Urgent Business: Roadside Stabilisation Works near Brayford on the A399

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

The Chairman had decided that the Committee should take the following item as a matter of urgency because of the need for Members to be updated on recent developments.

Councillor Edgell expressed concern regarding several closures of the A399 without sufficient notice or information about alternative routes and the impact on local businesses and residents.

At the invitation of the Committee, Councillor Benbow, Chairman of the North Devon Rural Alliance, also spoke on the matter.

The Neighbourhood Highway Manager emphasised the urgent nature of the works. However, he acknowledged that there had been insufficient engagement with the local community about the works and indicated that this situation would be avoided in future. During discussion, reference was made to the importance of involving the local County Councillor. It was explained that a review was underway of the road closure process associated with major roadworks and that this would include the issue of engagement with the local community and elected Members.

The Head of Highways Traffic Management was asked to report back to the next meeting on progress, and in the interim keep Members updated.

*72 Improvement of Junction 27 of the M5 Motorway with the A361 North Devon Relief Road (Minute *60(b)/20 March 2012)

The Neighbourhood Highway Manager reported on the development of a scheme to address safety issues at Junction 27 of the M5 posed by northbound traffic queuing on the M5 at peak times and to increase the capacity for future development in the Tiverton and North Devon areas. The scheme involved the provision of an additional lane on the southbound exit and traffic signals controlling the northbound and southbound slip roads. The scheme was the subject of a funding bid under the Highways Agency s Pinch Point programme and was considered to have a good prospect of being successful.

The Committee welcomed the scheme and bid.

*73 A361 and A39 Junction Improvements (Minute *60(c)/20 March 2012)

The Neighbourhood Highway Manager reported on design work on potential improvements to several junctions on the A361 and A39 in the Barnstaple and Bideford area to alleviate existing capacity problems, improve the strategic link for Barnstaple and Bideford and help accommodate future development.

Points raised by Members, who broadly welcomed the proposals, included;

the premature nature of some of the proposals pending the finalisation of future planning policy

whether sufficient public or private sector investment would be available

the increasing severity of existing congestion during peak flows

a suggestion regarding the wider use of park and ride.

The Neighbourhood Highway Manager was asked to report back to the next meeting on progress and take into account traffic issues in the Braunton area.

*74 Highway Problems associated with Car Boot Sales on the A361 at Ashford in the Combe Martin Rural Electoral Division

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2), Councillor Cann asked that the Committee consider what action could be taken regarding potentially hazardous manoeuvres by drivers attending and leaving car boot sales on land adjacent to the A361, primarily involving u-turns in the entrance to the Trelawney Garden Centre. Discussion took place on ways in which the problem might be alleviated.

The Neighbourhood Highway Manager was asked to investigate suggested alleviation measures.

*75 Impact of Development at Alverdiscott (Torridge)

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2), Councillor Cann asked that the Committee consider proposals to ameliorate the possible impact on North Devon of construction traffic servicing the proposed link to the National Grid and construction base for the Atlantic Array at Alverdiscott in Torridge.

The Neighbourhood Highway Manager indicated that:

there would be a significant number of abnormally large loads associated with the construction phase which was expected to take two years

routes for construction traffic would be covered by a Construction Management Plan developed through the planning process.

The Neighbourhood Highway Manager was asked to keep Members informed of progress.

*76 Unauthorised Closure of Marine Parade, Instow Seafront

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2), Councillor Cann asked that the Committee consider the impact of the recent unauthorised closure by Christie Estates of the public highway on Instow seafront in connection with their claim to own the land involved and what steps should be taken to avoid a recurrence of the situation.

The County Solicitor explained the County Council s position which had been made clear to The Christie Estates Trusts in writing, and their representatives had been invited to attend a meeting on site to discuss the matter.

The Committee noted the position.

*77 Update on Traffic Scheme, South Street, Braunton

(Councillor Greenslade declared a personal interest in this item by virtue of being a member of the Devon and Cornwall Police Authority)

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2), Councillor Spear asked that the Committee consider what action could be taken to improve the operation of the recently introduced traffic scheme in Braunton involving a one-way system and traffic calming measures in South Street which was used by through traffic to avoid congestion in the centre of Braunton. His concern centred on the increase level of use of South Street, associated environmental health issues, contraventions of the one-way regulation and the need for more rigorous enforcement.

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

RESOLVED that discussions should take place between all relevant agencies on ways of improving the situation in South Street, Braunton.

*78 Objections Received to Proposed Parking Orders, Sticklepath, Barnstaple (Minute *63/20 March 2012)

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2), Councillor Haywood asked that the Committee consider taking urgent action on parking problems in Sticklepath, Barnstaple and expediting the determination of the advertised Residents Parking Orders to which objections had been received.

The Neighbourhood Highway Manager reported that the period for the submission of representations on the proposed Orders had closed on 22 June 2012 and that 32 letters of representation had been received - 22 in support of the Orders and 10 (including 1 petition of 11 signatures) objecting to the Orders. He then summarised the objections received.

Members were reminded that while no formal decision could be made by the Committee without a written report, the Orders for the residents parking schemes could if necessary be determined under delegated powers to avoid delay.

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

RESOLVED that having taken into account the objections received, the Committee supports the confirmation of the Residents Parking Orders under delegated powers.

*79 Dates for Future Meetings

The Committee noted the following:

23 October 2012

19 March 2013

(both Tuesdays at 10.00am)

*DENOTES DELEGATED MATTER WITH POWER TO ACT

The meeting started at 10.00am and finished at 12.00noon

Minutes of this Committee are published on the County Council s Website at: