Present:

Councillors Yabsley (Chairman), Biederman, Edmunds, Chugg, Greenslade and Mathews

North Devon District Council

Councillors Chesters, Lane and Manuel

Member attending in accordance with Standing Order 25:-

Councillor Buckley (West Buckland Parish Council)

Apologies for Absence

Councillors Davis and Edgell

*69 Election of Chairman

RESOLVED that Councillor Yabsley be elected Chairman for the ensuing year.

*70 Election of Vice-Chairman

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

*71 Minutes

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 21 April 2015 be signed as a correct record.

*72 Matter of Urgency: Traffic Congestion Braunton: Air Quality (Minute *65)

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2) Councillor Greenslade had requested that the Committee consider issues relating to traffic congestion and associated air quality concerns in the Braunton.

The Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment reported that he had met with officers from North Devon District Council and that a report on the Air Quality Action Plan would be submitted to this Committee following feedback and approval of the Plan from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

*73 Cedars Inn, Barnstaple: Traffic Congestion (Minute *54)

The Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment reported that feasibility designs for improvements to the Cedars Junction were being considered to help manage traffic impacts from new developments on the A3125 corridor.

The Committee noted that the Development Management Committee at its meeting on 15 July had noted this Committee s concerns about the highway implications of approved and proposed residential development in and around Barnstaple.

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

RESOLVED

(a) that the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment in consultation with local Councillors Biederman, Edgell and Mathews investigate potential low cost improvements for the Cedars Junction;

(b) that the potential impact on the local highway network of current and proposed development in and around Barnstaple be placed on the Committee s agenda as a standing item.

*74 Fremington Old School Lane Rush Hour Issues

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2), Councillor Biederman had asked the Committee to consider ways of reducing traffic using Old School Lane, Fremington at morning rush hour and also to consider a 20mph speed restriction.

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Highways, Capital Programmes and Waste (HCW/15/52 - text only | pdf HCW/15/52) on local traffic surveys, collision history and local policy. The Committee noted that the proposed 20 mph limit would not conform to County Council speed limit policy (based on Government guidelines) in view of the speed related casualty record and speed data. The Report also outlined representations from Police concerning difficulties in enforcing any vehicle restrictions.

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

RESOLVED

(a) that pending the results of proposed improvements at the Cedars Roundabout (Minute 73 (a) refers), regular monitoring of the traffic using Old School Lane, Fremington be continued;

(b) that the request for a 20 mph speed limit for Old School Lane, Fremington be considered by officers as a formal departure from policy due to the level of use to avoid congestion on the B3233, the existing speed of traffic and the level of vulnerable road user activity and if this departure from policy is not agreed the request from this Committee be referred to Cabinet.

*75 Bickington Lyddicleave Rush Hour Issues

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2), Councillor Biederman had asked that consideration be given to restrictions being put in place during the morning rush hour of vehicles accessing Tews Lane, then Lyddicleave as a rat run, similar to the one at Ellerslie Road.

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Highways, Capital Programmes and Waste (HCW/15/53 - text only | pdf HCW/15/53) on this proposal and the recommendation from the police relating to enforceability. The Committee noted the current 20 mph speed limit in the area.

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

RESOLVED that pending the results of proposed improvements at the Cedars Roundabout (Minute 73 (a) refers) t regular monitoring of traffic using Tews Lane and Lyddicleave be continued

*76 Petitions/Parking Policy Reviews

[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] (https://new.devon.gov.uk/democracy/guide/constitutionparts2-4/part-4-section-7-petition-scheme/).

There was no petition for a parking review from a member of the public.

*77 Devon Highways Update (Minute 61)

(Councillor Buckley (West Buckland Parish Council) attended in accordance with Standing Order 25 and spoke to this item insofar as it related to road safety concerns at the West Buckland junction).

The Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment reported on the progress of feasibility study work into improvements to the A361 / A39 North Devon Link Road corridor. Following a positive response to consultation in 2014 titled a Gateway to Northern Devon , feasibility design work was underway including data collection along the route. The County Council was pursuing an additional 1.5m of Infrastructure Funding to support this study programme through the Department for Transport and the Local Enterprise Partnership. Detailed study work and feasibility design would help to identify and evidence potential improvements that could be prioritised for future funding opportunities. This was a long term project that will continue over a number of years. Extensive consultation would be required and further information would be submitted to this Committee at a future date.

The Head of Service confirmed that major improvements to West Buckland junction would be considered as part of the wider corridor study. However safety concerns relating to the current junction layout could be investigated by officers through a detailed safety assessment in conjunction with local members with a view to identifying any potential low cost improvements.

The local County Councillor (Braunton Rural) also referred to the impact of congestion on the A361 north of Barnstaple and air quality in the Braunton area raised at minute *72 above.

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

RESOLVED that the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment in consultation with local Councillors investigate potential low cost improvements for the West Buckland Junction pending longer term improvements as part of the plans for the A39 corridor.

*78 Actions Taken Under Delegated Powers

The Committee noted the report of the Head of Highways, Capital Development and Waste (HCW/15/54 - text only | pdf HCW/15/54) on actions taken under Delegated Powers since the last meeting and, where appropriate, in consultation with the Chairman and Local County Councillors.

*79 Dates for Future HATOC Meetings

Tuesday, 27 October 2015 and

Tuesday, 12 April 2016

Please use link below for County Council Calendar of Meetings:

https://new.devon.gov.uk/democracy/calendar/

*DENOTES DELEGATED MATTER WITH POWER TO ACT

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

The meeting started at 10.00am and finished at 11. 55 a.m.