Present:-

Devon County Council

Councillors Dewhirst (Chairman), Barisic, Brook, Clarance, Clatworthy, Connett, Dempster, Gribble and Hook

Teignbridge District Council

Councillors Haines and Prowse

Also in Attendance

Inspector Richard Price and MPC Dave Carne, Devon Cornwall Police

Apologies

Councillor Younger-Ross (Devon County Council)

*17 Minutes

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 14 November 2013 be signed as

a correct record.

*18 Matters of Urgency: Gully Cleaning

(An item taken under Section 100B(4) of the Local Government Act 1972)

The Chairman had decided that the Committee should consider this item as a matter of urgency in view of recent severe weather and further risk of potential flooding in order that members may receive a report on the backlog in gully cleaning, the effect of reactive gully cleaning and views of local councils on the impact and local situation.

RESOLVED that a report be made to the next meeting.

*19 A380 Telegraph Hill Removal of Slip Lane (minute *77)

(Mr Owen attended the meeting under the County Council s Public Participation Scheme and spoke to this item objecting to the proposals for the removal of the slip lane).

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment (PTE/14/9 - text only | pdf PTE/14/9), for a proposed scheme to improved road safety, reduce the number of collisions and remove the potential for any further serious collisions by removing a redundant slip lane (uphill deceleration lane) and closure of median crossover on the A380 at Telegraph Hill to regular traffic.

Proposals had previously been considered and approved by this Committee on 14 March 2013 and the appropriate traffic regulation order advertised. However the Committee was now invited to consider the matter further in light of supplementary evidence received following objections received during an extended consultation period.

Eleven objections had been received, principally regarding the additional journey time and distance involved in using the alternative route and generally disputing the assertion that the offside slip represented a hazard (objections as detailed in the report). Two further letters (1 February 2014 and 6 November 2013) had now also been received from one of the eleven objectors.

Whilst it was recognised that closure of the median crossover would result in additional distance and travel time to access properties on Old Haldon Hill (approx. 2750km further, taking 2-3 minutes, from the north east direction only with journeys to north east not affected), this was considered appropriate when balanced against the risk of carrying out a U-turn on a high speed, heavily trafficked road. Collision data in the report indicated that the increased use in recent years of satellite navigation systems (giving a high risk instruction) and drivers unfamiliar with the substandard road layout was a factor. The alternative Haldon Chalets over bridge access was of a more recent, safer design and had an improved collision history following its inception in 2005/6. Additional signing could assist businesses in the vicinity of Old Haldon Hill.

The local County Councillor questioned whether the median crossover could be made except for access to avoid any impact on accessing properties, but officers advised that it would be difficult to discourage other drivers from using this if little change was made to the appearance of the uphill deceleration lane. The Police representatives added that they would not be able to enforce an except for access restriction in such a location.

Members were also concerned about road safety issues affecting the A38/A380 Splatford Split junction close by and there could be merit in considering a package of road safety measures in the area, although there was no benefit in delaying implementation of the proposed scheme today. As the A38 was the responsibility of the Highways Agency, officers would pass these concerns on.

RESOLVED

(a) that the scheme shown on attached plan no. A12003/001B be approved in principle at an estimated cost of 45,000;

(b) that the Traffic Regulation Order with exemptions for authorised vehicles, approved by this Committee on 14 March 2013 and advertised on 25 July 2013 be sealed and implemented.

*DENOTES DELEGATED MATTER WITH POWER TO ACT

The meeting started at 2.15pm and finished at 3.30pm