Present:-

Devon County Council

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

Teignbridge District Council

Councillor Prowse

Apologies

Councillor Connett (Devon County Council)

Councillor Haines (Teignbridge District Council)

*20 Minutes

RESOLVED that the minutes of the special meeting held on 4 February 2014 be signed as

a correct record.

*21 Devon Highways Update

The Committee received a further update by the Head of Highways, Capital Development and Waste and SW Highway representatives, following the last presentation in November 2013. Discussions included:-

-the impact of extreme winter weather since December 2013, flooding and gales with widespread damage and potholes on the highway;

-the significant increase in maintenance backlog since 2009/10 with some parts of the highway in a very fragile condition which currently could not be protected. Approximately 600 reported pothole faults per day (equipped to deal with 500 per day);

-the economy s reliance on tourism, with local towns in particular awaiting repairs to potholes as soon as possible highway resources being increased together with a review of the quality of repairs;

-building the case for more capital funding, budget discipline and Bellwin funding where applicable;

-the preparation of a members information pack as part of improved communications,

as well as the development of communications with parish councils, public and the community; community involvement in some highway work developed along the snow warden model; guidelines to Parish Councils wanted eg discharging onto the highway;

-discussions with District Councils on the recycling of highway associated waste.

*22 Market and Coastal Towns Rural Foundation Programme/Devon and Torbay Local Transport Plan 2011 to 2026: Proposed Programme 2012/13 to 2014/15

The Committee received the joint Report of the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment and of the Head of Highways, Capital Development and Waste (PTE/14/22 - text only | pdf PTE/14/22), on the updated position of schemes for 2014/15 as part of the two year Local Transport Plan programme 2013/14 and 2014/15.

RESOLVED that the funding provisions for Teignbridge which had been included in report PTE/13/55 - text only | pdf PTE/13/55 Transport Capital Programme 2013/14 - 2014/15: Proposed Allocation considered by the Cabinet on 10 July 2013 be noted.

*23 Traffic Regulation Order for Mandatory Disabled Parking Bay, West Buckeridge, Teignbridge

(Councillor Younger-Ross declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in this matter by virtue of being the owner of property within the immediate area and withdrew from the meeting during its consideration)

(Mr Mesley and Mrs Keay attended the meeting under the County Council s Public Participation Scheme and spoke to this item against the proposals to locate a mandatory disabled parking bay in West Buckeridge)

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Highways, Capital Programmes and Waste (HCW/14/21 - text only | pdf HCW/14/21).

RESOLVED that this matter be deferred for a more detailed report to include further details from the applicant, the options for both locations and implications of dropped kerbs.

*24 A380 Telegraph Hill Lane Configuration and A38 Shell Garage On-Slip at Splatford Split (Minute *19)

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Highways, Capital Programmes and Waste (HCW/14/22 - text only | pdf HCW/14/22), on points raised at the last meeting by members regarding the ongoing reason for maintaining 3 lanes on Telegraph Hill and the road safety effect of the 3 to 2 merge near the crest of the hill, together with the Highways Agency s position about the safety of the A38 Splatford Split interchange and the on-slip from the Shell Garage filling station. This included the Highways Agency plan to increase the traffic lanes from 3 to 4 in both the eastbound and westbound carriageways in due course, following the publishing of Highways Agency reports in Spring 2014 and Spring 2015.

RESOLVED

(a) that the justification for retention of the 3 lane section of the A380 Telegraph Hill be noted;

(b) that the response received from the Highways Agency regarding the A38 at Splatford Split junction be noted.

*25 Gulley Cleaning (Minute *18)

Following the severe weather experienced this winter to date and further risk of potential flooding, the Head of Highways, Capital Programmes and Waste reported on the response from Town and Parish Councils requested by members regarding the backlog in gully cleaning, cleaning of other drainage features and the Lengthsmen service.

The data obtained would help the County Council s awareness of particular problem areas and to develop the flood management plan. Members supported this important work in protecting local communities and highways from flooding and there would be further liaison with Parish Councils on where to concentrate the cleaning programme.

*26 Penn Inn Roundabout (Traffic Light Breakdowns), Newton Abbot

The Committee noted that in accordance with Standing Order 23(2), Councillors Dewhirst and Hook had asked that the Committee consider concerns that the frequent faulty traffic light signals caused major disruption to the South Devon economy and communities.

The Committee noted a response from the Cabinet Member for Highway Management and Flood Prevention on 20 February 2014, regretting the disruption caused. The maintenance contract had a lump sum rate for maintaining a set of signals and was not dependant on the number/type of faults.

In the short term the County Council was committed to fixing faults as quickly as possible and in the longer term, when the flyover at Penn Inn was completed, South Devon link road opened and with traffic patterns settling, the signals would be rephrased to minimise the impact of any future equipment faults.

*27 Forde Park/Lonsdale Road Experimental Order, Newton Abbot

(Councillor Hook declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in this matter by virtue of being the owner of property within the immediate area and withdrew from the meeting during its consideration)

The Committee noted that in accordance with Standing Order 23(2), Councillor Hook had asked that the Committee consider this matter.

The Head of Highways, Capital Programmes and Waste reported on the consultation period for an Experimental Traffic Order; as part of the existing Experimental Order there were proposals to introduce double yellow lines on Lonsdale Road at its junction with Decoy Road to protect the junction from parked vehicles. The monitoring of the arrangements had been deferred due to the weather and the impact of the rail line closure on parking and would therefore be monitored for a further six months. The amendments to the existing Experimental Order would be carried out within the next few weeks.

RESOLVED that a full report be brought to this Committee with options, once the monitoring had been undertaken following the re-opening of the rail line.

*28 Peartree Cross, Ashburton Waiting Restrictions

The Head of Highways, Capital Programmes and Waste reported that as there had been some concern expressed by the local County Councillor in relation to some of the proposed waiting restrictions to be advertised as a Traffic Regulation Order, this matter had been brought to this Committee prior to advertisement.

RESOLVED that in view of continuing concerns at the removal of parking in this vicinity a detailed report (including with plans) be brought to the next meeting, prior to the advertisement of a Traffic Regulation Order.

*29 Actions Taken Under Delegated Powers

The Committee received the report of the Head of Highways, Capital Programmes and Waste (HCW/14/23 - text only | pdf HCW/14/23) on actions taken in respect of Traffic Regulation Orders under delegate powers, following consultation with the Chairman and local County Councillors.

*30 Dates of Future Meetings

Thursday 3 July 2014

Thursday 27 November 2014

Thursday 26 March 2015

All meetings will be held at 2.15pm in the Council Chamber at Forde House, Newton Abbot.

*DENOTES DELEGATED MATTER WITH POWER TO ACT

The meeting started at 2.15pm and finished at 4.10 pm