23 October 2012

Present:-

Devon County Council:-

Councillors Cann (Chairman), Chugg, Edgell, Greenslade and Yabsley

North Devon Council:-

Councillors Biederman, Manuel and Spear

Also in Attendance:-

MPC Goulding, Road Casualty Reduction Officer (North), Devon Cornwall Constabulary

Apologies:-

Councillors Davis, Fowler and Haywood

*80 Minutes

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 26 June 2012 be signed as a correct record.

*81 Prohibition of Motor Vehicles (except Buses), Gould Road and Greenbank Road, Forches Estate, Barnstaple

(Councillor Yabsley declared a personal interest in this matter by virtue of being a non-remunerated local authority board member of North Devon Homes Ltd and a member of North Devon Council s Planning Committee. Councillor Spear declared a personal interest in this matter by virtue of being a non-remunerated local authority board member of North Devon Homes Ltd. Councillor Edgell declared a personal interest in this matter by virtue of being a member of North Devon Council s Planning Committee. Councillor Greenslade declared a personal interest in this matter by virtue of being a candidate for the position of Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon and Cornwall)

(MPC Goulding attended and spoke to this item at the request of the Committee)

The Committee considered the Report of the Head of Highways Traffic Management (HTM/12/46 - text only | pdf HTM/12/46) on a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) to prohibit motor vehicles along Gould Road and Greenbank Road, Forches Estate, Barnstaple.

The planning consent for the redevelopment by North Devon Homes Ltd of the Forches Estate had stipulated that Phase 2 of the development not should commence until a TRO restricting the use of Gould Road and Greenbank Road to buses, enforced by rising bollards, had been approved, or that alternative traffic management measures would be put in place if such an Order was not approved.

Two objections had been received following the advertisement of the TRO, one of which was from the Police whose primary concerns were that the rising bollards would not physically prevent powered two wheeled vehicles from using the roads and that their enforcement of the prohibition would place an unreasonable demand on resources. Options for mitigating these concerns had been discussed between the Police, Highways Traffic Management staff and North Devon Homes Ltd and discounted. The second objection was from a resident of Greenbank Road who was opposed to the two roads being closed off.

The Head of Highways Traffic Management had therefore recommended that in view of the substantive objection from the Police, the TRO should not be proceeded with.

Mr S Snooks, Regeneration Manager, North Devon Homes Ltd attended the meeting under the Council s Public Participation scheme and spoke in support of the TRO, arguing that the rising bollards were an important component of Phase 2 of the redevelopment scheme.

MPC Goulding explained the Constabulary s concerns about the proposed bollards and that it had no objection in principle to the proposed prohibition of motor vehicles (except buses) on the roads involved.

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

RESOLVED

(a) that consideration of the advertised Devon County Council (Gould Road Greenbank Road - Forches Estate, Barnstaple)(Prohibition of Vehicles) Order be deferred to enable further discussions to take place between the Head of Highways Traffic Management, North Devon Homes Ltd and the Police on an acceptable way forward;

(b) that the Head of Highways Traffic Management, in consultation with the Chairman and/or Vice-Chairman and local County Councillor, be authorised to make and seal the TRO should a way forward be agreed by all parties.

*82 Carriageway Widening, Boutport Street, between Bear Street and Butchers Row, Barnstaple

The Committee considered the Report of the Head of Highways Traffic Management (HTM/12/47 - text only | pdf HTM/12/47) on a scheme to widen the vehicular carriageway along Boutport Street, Barnstaple between Bear Street and Butchers Row to improve traffic flow, particularly for buses.

It was proposed to widen the carriageway to 4 metres by reducing the eastern footway to a depth of 2.5 metres and setting back the existing loading and disabled bays. The remaining footway width was still above the national guideline and provided sufficient space for pedestrians, wheelchair users and pushchairs. All consultees supported the proposal.

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

RESOLVED

(a) that further consultations take place on the scheme involving local businesses and residents and bus operators;

(b) that the Head of Highways Traffic Management, in consultation with the Chairman and/or Vice-Chairman and local County Councillor, be authorised to approve the scheme shown on drawing number ENV5263/BP/2 at an estimated cost of 30,000 following the further consultations.

*83 Fore Street, Ilfracombe - Proposed Environmental Enhancement

The Committee considered the Report of the Head of Highways Traffic Management (HTM/12/48 - text only | pdf HTM/12/48) on a scheme for the environmental enhancement of the end of Fore Street, Ilfracombe by replacing the existing surfacing with small element paving.

The purpose of the scheme was to create an attractive gateway that would help draw visitors into the town s main shopping area from the harbour and promote economic regeneration. The enhancement would be funded by contributions from the County Council (Economic Regeneration and Investing in Devon budgets), North Devon Council and Ilfracombe Town Council.

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

RESOLVED that the scheme shown on drawing number EATS(N) 546-007-00 be approved at an estimated cost of 110,710 subject to the completion of a funding agreement with Ilfracombe Town Council.

*84 Works on the A399 near Brayford (Minute *71/26 June 2012)

The Neighbourhood Highway Manager reported that further roadside stabilisation works needed to be undertaken on the A399 at Shutscombe Wood, Brayford and resurfacing of the road between Friendship Cross and Blackmoor Gate was planned to commence in February/March 2013. Whereas a single carriageway controlled by traffic signals could probably be kept open during the stabilisation works at Shutscombe Wood, the resurfacing between Friendship Cross and Blackmoor Gate could not take place without the road being closed completely due to health and safety requirements. The Neighbourhood Highway Manager indicated that relevant Parish Councils had been notified of the proposed works.

While Members appreciated the urgent need for the works involved, they expressed concerns about the operation of previous closures of the A399 and felt that every effort should be made to minimise the impact on local businesses and residents. In response to suggestions, the Neighbourhood Highway Manager commented that the recent relatively lengthy diversions of the A399 had been due to the requirement to divert onto a similar class of road (in this case onto another A road) and acknowledged the existence of a network of minor roads providing a more direct route. The Neighbourhood Highway Manager also referred to the significantly higher cost of night only road closures.

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

RESOLVED that the Head of Highways Traffic Management be asked to:

engage with the North Devon Rural Alliance on the timing of the proposed works on the A399 and consult them on potential local diversionary routes for light vehicles

provide suitable advanced signing of the works and diversions

look into the possibility of night only road closures.

*85 A361 and A39 Junction Improvements (Minute *73/26 June 2012)

(Councillors Biederman, Cann and Chugg each declared a personal interest in this matter by virtue of being members of North Devon Council. Councillor Greenslade declared a personal interest in this matter by virtue of being a member of North Devon Council and his children living adjacent to the Roundswell link road. Councillors Edgell and Yabsley each declared a personal interest in this matter by virtue of being members of North Devon Council s Planning Committee. Councillor Spear declared a personal interest in this matter by virtue of being a member of North Devon Council s Executive)

The Neighbourhood Highway Manager updated the Committee on design work on improvements to several junctions on the A39 and A361 in the Barnstaple area; the A39 Roundswell roundabout being the current priority in view of the existing congestion and the impact of proposed residential development in the vicinity. He outlined a draft scheme for the improvement of this roundabout to increase capacity and traffic flow which was due to be submitted to the Cabinet for approval in January 2013. The Neighbourhood Highway Manager indicated that other schemes were still at feasibility design stage.

Members emphasised the need for a joined up approach to tackling the traffic issues discussed.

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

RESOLVED

(a) that local County Councillors be kept informed of progress on the design work for the junction improvements and the issues involved;

(b) that consideration be given to interim improvements to the Cedars roundabout and the Old Torrington Road mini roundabout;

(c) that a presentation be made to a Special Meeting of the Committee covering all of the highway infrastructure proposals and issues in the Barnstaple area to enable this to take place before North Devon Council approved its new Local Plan for consultation.

*86 Actions Taken Under Delegated Powers

The Committee received and noted the report of the Head of Highways Traffic Management (HTM/12/49 - text only | pdf HTM/12/49) setting out actions taken under delegated powers, in consultation with the Chairman and local members, on advertised Traffic Regulation Orders since the last meeting.

*87 Dates for Future Meetings

The Committee noted the following:

19 March 2013 (including a report on highway issues relating to the Atlantic Array)

11 June 2013

22 October 2013

25 March 2014

(all Tuesdays at 10.00am)

(NB. Special Meeting to be arranged - Minute 85(c) refers)

*DENOTES DELEGATED MATTER WITH POWER TO ACT

The meeting started at 10.00am and finished at 11.40am

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