Present:-

Devon County Council:-

Councillors Croad (Chairman), Black, Brazil, Day, Hart, Hawkins, Mumford and Pennington

South Hams District Council:-

Councillors Coulson and Hannaford

*57 Minutes

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 2 December 2011 be signed as a correct record.

*58 Urgent Business

(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.

Totnes on the Move Community Project

The Committee received a presentation from the Head of Planning, Transportation Environment on Totnes on the Move, a community led project which aimed to improve travel options sustainably in and around Totnes. The project would also address local traffic issues resulting from potential developments and issues on the A385.

The presentation covered the following:

the background, strategic context and progress

the four recent workshops in Totnes and Dartington attended by over 200 people which had demonstrated the public s enthusiasm for sustainable transport and generated much valuable feedback on car travel, travel planning, community transport, Totnes High Street, walking and cycling, public transport and other matters

the development by a Steering Group of a range of sustainable transport measures and priorities for the project s share of Local Sustainable Transport Funding

emerging ideas, desired outcomes and the way forward

the Totnes on the Move Roadshow on 28 April 2012.

The Head of Planning, Transportation Environment responded to queries and comments from Members who noted the presentation and:

generally welcomed and strongly supported this innovative community engagement project and a bold approach to sustainable transport solutions

commented on the need for the right measures being put in place nationally to minimise dependence on the private car in new developments and for account to be taken at an early stage of the impact on the local transport network of the significant new residential and other development proposed in Totnes by 2016

recognised the importance of Totnes railway station as a focal point for the better integration of transport between train, bus, bicycle and car

acknowledged the position of Totnes as a local transport hub and the potentially significant contribution of a package of sustainable transport measures in the town to reducing traffic flows and congestion in surrounding areas and the South Hams as a whole.

*59 Devon and Torbay Local Transport Plan 2011 to 2026: Proposed Programme 2012/13 to 2014/15 for Devon

The Committee considered the joint report of the Head of Planning, Transportation Environment and the Head of Highways Traffic Management (PTE/12/27 - text only | pdf PTE/12/27) summarising the proposed programme for the Local Transport Plan Integrated Transport Block and corporate funding over the next three years in the South Hams area.

The Programme would deliver significant improvements to the transport network in conjunction with other funding sources, contributing to the twin priorities of economic growth and carbon reduction. The total anticipated highway investment in the South Hams for 2012/13 was 3,873,000.

The Head of Planning, Transportation Environment responded to queries and comments from Members on the Programme.

During discussion, concern was expressed regarding the threat to rural bus services. Members acknowledged the importance of these services being used by a sufficient number of passengers to maintain their viability.

It was MOVED by Councillor Croad, SECONDED by Councillor Black and

RESOLVED that the funding provisions included in Report PTE/11/36 - text only | pdf PTE/11/36 (Devon and Torbay Local Transport Plan 2011 to 2026: Proposed Programme 2012/13 to 2014/15) agreed by Cabinet on 14 December 2011 be noted.

*60 Scheme for Approval

Exeter Road, South Brent Footway/Cycleway

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Highways Traffic Management (HTM/12/28 - text only | pdf HTM/12/28) on a proposal for a footway/cycleway on the west side of Exeter Road, South Brent to facilitate northbound cycle movements and better connections to local facilities from National Cycle Route 2.

It was MOVED by Councillor Pennington, SECONDED by Councillor Brazil and

RESOLVED

(a) that the scheme shown on drawing B2300113/EXRD/0005 rev PO be constructed at a cost of 87,000;

(b) that consent be given to extinguish the footway under Section 66(4) of the Highways Act, 1980 and for creating the shared footway/cycleway under Section 65(1) of the Highways Act, 1980.

*61 Items Raised under Standing Order 23(2):

(a) Totnes Experimental Traffic Order

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2), Councillor Hannaford expressed concern that the proposed experimental Traffic Regulation Order introducing a right turn ban from Totnes High Street into Plymouth Road had been approved and advertised without prior consultation and asked that this situation be avoided in the future.

The Head of Highways Traffic Management explained the background to the proposal. The aim of the TRO was to reduce both the volume of through traffic - which was estimated to comprise approximately 50% of the vehicles using the High Street - and personal injury collisions in the town centre. The proposal had been put forward previously, consulted on and then withdrawn. The Head of Highways Traffic Management indicated that the processing of the Order had been placed on hold and the Totnes Town Council and the Totnes Traffic and Transport Forum asked for their views on ways of reducing through traffic. He hoped that a preferred option would emerge by the middle of May 2012.

The position was noted.

(b) Illegal Parking on Pavements

(Councillor Hawkins declared a personal interest in this item by virtue of his mother being disabled and using a wheelchair)

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2), Councillor Hawkins had asked that the following motion passed at the meeting of South Hams District Council on 29 March 2012 should be drawn to the attention of the HATOC:

RESOLVED

That this Council welcomes the announcement by the Local Transport Minister, Norman Baker that local authorities have been given greater enforcement powers regarding vehicles parking on pavements.

South Hams District Council will continue to lobby Devon County Council to amend their Orders relating to this issue to ensure SHDC civil enforcement officers are given the powers to be able to enforce inconsiderate parking of vehicles, causing inconvenience to our residents, especially the visually impaired and users of prams, pushchairs and wheelchairs .

Councillor Hawkins spoke in support of the motion, highlighting the problems caused by illegal parking on pavements, such as elderly and other vulnerable persons having to use the carriageway to walk around vehicles obstructing the pavement (footway). Other Members also spoke in support although an example of where pavement parking was a necessity was also given.

At the invitation of the Committee, Councillor K Baldry, South Hams District Council, who had proposed the motion at the District Council meeting, also spoke in its support.

The following points emerged from a discussion involving the Head of Highways Traffic Management and the Police Traffic Management and Road Casualty Reduction Officer:

illegal parking near junctions and on bends was a particular problem

some motorists parked on the pavement because they considered it helpful to facilitate road traffic movement

the Police could only become involved in enforcement in the event of a complaint about obstruction and needed to see the obstruction occurring

a blanket ban on pavement parking was not needed, instead problem areas should be targeted

officers were looking at the implications of using the greater powers now available as each location selected to restrict pavement parking would need a Traffic Regulation Order to be formulated and enacted.

It was MOVED by Councillor Croad, SECONDED by Councillor Hawkins and

RESOLVED that the Cabinet be informed that the HATOC welcomes the greater enforcement powers available to local authorities regarding vehicles parking on pavements and asks that it considers at the earliest opportunity a report identifying the new powers available and how they might be applied in market towns.

*62 Actions Taken Under Delegated Powers

The Committee received and noted a report of the Head of Highways Traffic Management (HTM/12/29 - text only | pdf HTM/12/29) detailing the actions taken under delegated powers on advertised Traffic Orders and the Local Transport Plan since the last meeting.

*63 Dates for Future Meetings

The Committee noted that meetings had been arranged for the following dates:

20 July 2012

30 November 2012

19 April 2013

(all Fridays, 9.30am at Follaton House, Totnes)

*DENOTES DELEGATED MATTER WITH POWER TO ACT

The meeting started at 9.30am and finished at 10.55am.

The Minutes of the South Hams Highways Traffic Orders Committee are published on the County Council s Website at:-