Present:-

Devon County Council

Councillors Brook (Chairman), Clarance, Clatworthy, Dewhirst, Gribble, Hook and Younger-Ross

Teignbridge District Council

Councillor Haines

Apologies

Councillors Barisic, Barker, Connett and Dempster (Devon County Council)

*49 Minutes

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 27 November 2014 be signed as a correct record.

*50 Newton Abbot, Coach Road Traffic Speed Restrictions

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2) Councillor Hook had asked that the Committee consider the impact of increased traffic speeds and volume (including HGVs) in this area.

The Head of Highways, Capital Development and Waste reported that following concerns expressed locally the matter had been investigated.

The last recorded validated collision data was 1 January 2009 31 December 2013 showing 4 slight injuries. A spot survey had also been undertaken on 24 March 2015 in a similar location as 2009 survey and both traffic speed and volume had not shown to have significantly increased over this period. HGV usage was low, although officers recommended the repositioning of an advisory sign to inform HGV drivers.

The local County Councillor reported residents concerns that this route was a busy rat run, with the area being built up over the years, with motorists speeding between the speed humps and no safety provision for pedestrians resulting in a pedestrian injury. Residents were not aware of a similar example without safety provision and requested a speed and weight restriction, review of signing, footpath/pedestrian refuges, hedge trimming for improved visibility

The County Council s road safety officer who had undertaken the survey and who was well acquainted with the route advised that the provision of a footway was not practical and there were alternative pedestrian routes, there had been no observation of misuse of speed humps and there was no evidence to support any change on highway and road safety grounds, excepting HGV signing repositioning.

RESOLVED that the concerns and no further action excepting sign relocation be noted.

*51 Devon Highways Update

The Committee received an update by the Head of Highways, Capital Development Waste, and at the invitation of the Committee, from the Operations Director of South West Highways on Devon Highways issues, including:-

the Council s success in bidding for 16,000,000 of government funding in 2014/15 to address damage caused by extreme weather conditions, with 9,600,000 of this being spent on resurfacing works and 2,900,000 being spent on patching;

the challenge faced by the Council to continue to provide the necessary level of highway maintenance in coming years while facing reduced revenue support grants and capital funding from government;

that alongside bids for additional capital and revenue funding for 2015/16 made available for major road networks, the Head of Service had also asked the Department for Transport to consider Devon as a special case and provide funding for maintenance of the rural road network;

the Tough Choices strategy for the 2015/16 revenue budget which included stopping grass cutting (except in visibility areas) and a remodelling of the parish lengths man service;

South West Highways efficiency achievements including a 2,000,000 efficiency gain over the last three years;

the use of compacting machines by South West Highways teams to improve the longevity of pothole repairs;

the success of the implementation of the V works system which had resulted in improved productivity on both major and minor road repairs;

that as part of the Council s Managing Demand strategy, a pilot scheme was reviewing the highway network, establishing the most important routes for the community and considering down grading or stopping up some lower category roads;

options for future deliver models for highways services from April 2017.

The Head of Service also reported that a number of Parish and Town Councils in Teignbridge had either signed up to or expressed an interest in the Community Road Warden and Community Self-Help Schemes and that training for volunteers was currently being arranged and extended to July 2015.

Members also discussed grit bins use in remoter rural areas; ways of publicising changes in highways strategy for the public; surface dressing quality and product development; areas in Teignbridge where a review of the road network classification was timely.

*52 A381 at Bishopsteignton: Investigation into Extension of 40mph Speed Limit Beyond the Bends at Wear Barton

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Highways, Capital Development Waste (HCW/15/23 - text only | pdf HCW/15/23) on the Committee s request (3 July 2014) for officers to further investigate extending the 40mph speed limit beyond the bends at Wear Farm. The results of the investigation, speed/collision data and speed limit policy as detailed in the report did not support any further action as it complied with the County Council s Speed Limit policy and avoided additional maintenance expenditure.

The local County Councillor expressed disappointment at the recommendation and remained in support of an extension of the 30mph speed limit and review of signage beyond the bends.

RESOLVED that the contents of the report detailing speed and collision data be noted and no further action be required.

*53 Hazelwood Drive to Exe Estuary Trail, Dawlish Warren Cycle Route

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment (PTE/15/21 - text only | pdf PTE/15/21) on a proposed scheme to complete a missing link in the cycle network in Dawlish Warren. This would improve cyclist safety, encourage local journey sustainability and support the local economy by encouraging more visitor trips to Dawlish Warren and Dawlish.

RESOLVED that the scheme shown on plan B2300263/0104 attached to the report be approved.

*54 A379 Holcombe, Dawlish: Investigation into Existing 40mph Speed Limit

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Highways, Capital Development Waste (HCW/15/24 - text only | pdf HCW/15/24) on an investigation into the appropriateness of the existing 40mph speed limit following concerns expressed by local residents.

The local County Councillor reported the views of the residents association and thanked the County Council for the analysis, commenting also on the dangerous route and junctions, increased traffic, accident increase, 2 other fatalities, requesting police enforcement, visibility splays at junctions, traffic calming, better signage and recalibration of vehicle actuated speed sign.

RESOLVED

(a) that the contents of the report detailing investigations undertaken be noted;

(b) that the comments of the residents association be noted and officers consider the request for sign improvements;

(c) that no other action be required outside the usual casualty and severity reduction process.

*55 Actions Taken Under Delegated Powers

The Committee received the report of the Head of Highways, Capital Programmes and Waste (HCW/15/25 - text only | pdf HCW/15/25) on actions taken in respect of Traffic Regulation Orders under delegated powers, following consultation with the Chairman and local County Councillors.

*56 Dates of Future Meetings

Friday 10 July 2015 at 10am (morning meeting).

Wed 4 November 2015 at 10am (morning meeting).

Thursday 3 March 2016 at 10am (morning meeting).

All meetings will be held at 10am unless otherwise stated the Council Chamber at Forde House, Newton Abbot

.

*DENOTES DELEGATED MATTER WITH POWER TO ACT

The meeting started at 2.15pm and finished at 3.30pm.