Present:-

Devon County Council

Councillors Walters (Chairman), Barker, Brook, Clarance, Clatworthy, Gribble, Hook, McMurray and Smith

Teignbridge District Council

Councillors Cox, Haines and Mrs Prowse

Apologies

DCC: Councillors Connett, Mrs Fry

*65 Election of Chairman and Vice-Chairman

(a) RESOLVED that Councillor Walters be elected Chairman for the ensuing year;

(b) RESOLVED that Councillor Smith be elected Vice-Chairman for the ensuing year.

*66 Minutes

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 15 March 2012 be signed as

a correct record.

*67 South Devon Link Road - Progress

The Committee received a presentation from the Head of Capital Development and Waste Management outlining the scheme and its progress since the contract was awarded to Galliford Try in May 2012. This is a design and build contract due to be completed by December 2015. The contractor s design phase had already started and an initial start on enabling works was anticipated for October 2012. Public exhibitions and other communications were expected for mid September 2012, including regular website and newsletter updates www.southdevonlinkroad.co.uk, a dedicated public relations representative appointed by the contractor to deal with residents queries, a County Council contract management team on site and the establishment of a community liaison group,

providing an opportunity for the County Council to demonstrate its community leadership role with the active involvement of local members.

Local members in particular would welcome information and for this to be put out to the public now, since members were receiving regular enquiries from the public.

The presentation to this Committee also covered the design, arrangements to minimise disruption to residents and the wider community whilst work was being carried out including changes to bus services, as well as proposals for future sustainable transport (including improvements to bus provision, rail, cycling and walking) in the context of the Teignbridge District Council Plan (consultation to 2033). It was also intended that there should be no significant gap between completing the link road and improvements to Kingskerswell village based on the Teignbridge District Council village centre enhancement work planned for 2015-16 and Kingskerswell village plan. The next steps included beginning discussions with the Newton Road/Kingskerswell community on proposals post the link road.

Members points discussed also included:-

- Plans to be considered during the design and build for future traffic growth/access points and crossing of the link road;

- Identification of Park Change sites over the next 12 months;

- In addition to the planned railway station at Edginswell, consideration of a halt for Kingskerswell village centre and its new proposed housing (parking already close to the rail track).

RESOLVED that a press statement and information to the public on the link road s progress be made available as soon as possible and the remaining comments from members be noted and followed up as appropriate.

*68 No Waiting Order, Lake Avenue

20 mph Kingsway, Teignmouth Update

Access Only Keatings Lane, Teignmouth Update

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2), Councillor Cox asked that the Committee consider a proposal for double yellow lines on part of Lake Avenue for safety reasons, as well as updates on Kingsway and Keatings Lane.

The Neighbourhood Highway Manager tabled a short briefing note on these sites he had visited with County Councillor Clarance, summarised as follows:-

(a) Lake Avenue Parking

Cllr Cox and the Police had received complaints, by three residents, regarding inappropriate parking in Lake Avenue, Teignmouth. Observations of the area suggested only residents of Lake Avenue and the associated streets sought to park there. Meetings had been held with those residents and County Councillor Clarance has been involved. There did not seem to be a solution to the problem, which was substantially caused by the number of vehicles owned/used by the residents of this neighbourhood. Any Traffic Regulation Order advertised to impose restrictions on the roads of Lake Avenue, Soper Road and Nelson Close would be likely to attract considerable opposition from residents. Lake Avenue was resurfaced earlier this year and an Access Protection Marking provided in accordance with DCC Policy to one complainant s property were not replaced because the complainant s circumstances did not now comply with DCC Policy.

However the officers would talk further to the police and it could also be possible to make another 3-4 parking places in the immediate area.

(b) 20mph speed limit Kingsway

This road was within the western area of Teignmouth that was heavily parked. Speed measurements were taken during the period 11 November to 17 November 2011. A mean speed over 24 hours per day was found to be 17.2 mph. Implementation of a 20mph Speed Limit would require positive traffic calming. Two collisions resulting in slight personal injury occurred in 2009 only. Speed and weather may have been a contributory factor in one instance. There are no funds available to implement Traffic Calming schemes within current DCC budgets and the location did not comply with current DCC Policy for 20mph Zones/Limits. There was no significant collision record that would lead to promotion of a scheme that might involve Traffic Calming. If however the Town Council still considered this was appropriate and made a case then it could be reconsidered in conjunction with all other such requests/areas identified to fit the criteria.

The local district Councillor concerns included that children had been hit by cars, although uninjured and there been a lack of reporting. There were a large proportion of young people in the area and this social housing estate had become a rat run. Children wanted to cross the road to play in the nearby park.

(c) Access Only Keatings Lane, Teignmouth

Keatings Lane (and Westbrook Avenue) were between Coombe Vale Road and Bitton Park Road. The first section, from Coombe Vale Road, was narrow and one-way. Thus, whilst there was access from Coombe Vale Road to Bitton Park Road, there was not access from Bitton Park Road to Coombe Vale Road. The concern related to the use of this road by inappropriate vehicles. There was no evidence regarding the numbers and frequency of this alleged use.

Access Only Orders were difficult to enforce requiring a Police Officer to observe the vehicle passing through the street without stopping at a premises served by the street. Un-enforced Orders led to customer frustration and complaint.

The local district Councillor added that the fire station had now relocated. There was concern for the safety of pupils at Teignmouth Community College walking to the western area of Teignmouth and local police officers had indicated to him that they would be happy to observe this area at school times.

RESOLVED that the above be noted.

*69 Actions Taken under Delegated Powers

The Committee received the report of the Head of Highways and Traffic Management (HTM/12/40 - text only | pdf HTM/12/40), regarding action since the last meeting ie where traffic order objections had been received, these had been dealt with by consultation with the Chairman and local members:-

Advertised Traffic Orders

- Dawlish (Old High Street, West Cliff, Elm Grove Road);

- Powderham C54 (Back Road);

- Newton Abbot (Pay Display).

*70 Future Meetings

All meetings to commence at 2.15pm (unless otherwise specified) at Forde House, Newton Abbot:-

Thursday 15 November 2012

Thursday 14 March 2013.

Members also noted comments from Councillor Connett regarding timings for meetings of this Committee and the Locality (County) Committee.

*DENOTES DELEGATED MATTER WITH POWER TO ACT

The meeting started at 2.15pm and finished 3.45pm