Present

Devon County Council

Councillors Boyd (Chairman), Dezart, Eastman, Julian and Parsons

Torridge District Council

Councillors Brenton and Wiseman

In attendance

Councillor Hewitt (Devon Association of Local Councils, observer)

*31 Election of Chairman and Vice-Chairman

RESOLVED that Councillor Boyd be elected Chairman and Councillor Dezart be elected Vice Chairman for the ensuing year.

*32 Minutes

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 9 March 2015 be signed as a correct record.

*33 Matters of Urgency

(a) Moreton Park Road, Bideford

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

The Chairman had decided that the Committee should, at the request of Councillor Brenton, consider this matter as a matter of urgency in order to apprise members of local concerns relating to unrestricted parking.

It was MOVED by Councillor Boyd, SECONDED by Councillor Brenton and

RESOLVED that the Neighbourhood Highway Group Manager investigate and report back to the local County and District Council Members.

(b) Northam: Controlled Pedestrian Crossing: Near Swimming Pool

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

The Chairman had decided that the Committee should, at the request of Councillor Eastman, consider this matter as a matter of urgency in order to apprise members of local concerns relating to a crossing located near a bend considered to be unsafe.

The Neighbourhood Highway Group Manager undertook to investigate and report back to the local County Council Member (Northam).

(c) Highways Maintenance

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

The Chairman had decided that the Committee should, at the request of Councillor Parsons, consider this matter as a matter of urgency in order to apprise members of the ongoing issues relating to maintenance of the rural highways network and use of a new jet spraying technique for patching and pothole repair.

The Head of Highways, Capital Development Waste reported on the jet spray trial which subject to certain limitations (relating to weather conditions and locality) had been successful and would be included next year s maintenance programme.

(d) Road Signage; New Flashing Warning Lights and communication with Parish Councils

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

The Chairman had decided that the Committee should, at the request of Councillor Julian, consider these matters as a matter of urgency in order to apprise members of the ongoing issues relating to poor maintenance of road signs, new School flashing lights not operating properly and the need for better communication with Parishes.

The Head of Highways, Capital Development Waste reported that planned safety inspections would identify any safety defects with signs but if Members reported any issues the matter would be investigated by Officers and repairs made where appropriate. He also acknowledged that there had been software issues with the new flashing lights and this was now being addressed.

In terms of communication with Parishes two conferences were being arranged; the northern area conference would be on 21 October 2015 at Bradford and Cookbury Parish Council which would cover, inter alia, the local Road Warden and other self-help initiatives for local Parishes.

[N.B. Information for local communities and parishes on the Council s website at:

https://new.devon.gov.uk/roadsandtransport/maintaining-roads/self-help-and-community-support/]

*34 Petitions/Parking Policy Reviews

[An item to be taken under s18 of the Traffic Management Act 2004 relating to any reviews of parking policy sought in line with the Council s Petition Scheme https://new.devon.gov.uk/democracy/guide/constitutionparts2-4/part-4-section-7-petition-scheme/).

The Head of Highways, Capital Development Waste was presented by Councillor Eastman with a petition organised by a resident of Chanters Road, Northam, containing approximately 22 signatures, seeking changes to parking restrictions in Chanters Road, Northam.

[NB: The relevant Head of Service would be asked to respond direct to the petitioners on the issues raised, within 15 days, letting him/her know how long it would take to undertake the requested review in line with the Council s Petition Scheme (https://new.devon.gov.uk/democracy/guide/constitutionparts2-4/part-4-section-7-petition-scheme/) and when that would be concluded and published and/or considered by the relevant Highways Traffic Orders Committee thereafter.]

*35 Devon and Torbay Local Transport Plan 2011-2026: Torridge Programme for 2015 and 2016/17

The Committee considered the Joint Report of Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment and of the Head of Highways, Capital Development and Waste (PTE/15/49 - text only | pdf PTE/15/49) on the Local Transport Plan Programme for 2015/16 and 2016/17 in the Torridge area and outlining a new approach to dealing with requests for waiting restrictions.

The Committee also received, under the Market and Coastal Town and Rural Devon Targeted Capital Investment Programme, a draft design for the A39/A361 Heywood Road junction (including pedestrian Island) which would be subject to further consultation.

Members also referred to the need to raise the profile of the Torridge area, at every opportunity, locally and nationally in terms of the need for improved funding for the maintenance of its rural highways network.

It was MOVED by Councillor Eastman, SECONDED by Councillor Dezart and

RESOLVED

(a) that the funding provisions included in the report Devon and Torbay Local Transport Plan 2011 to 2026: Torridge Programme for 2015/16 and 2016/17 be supported;

(b) that the proposed approach to local priority waiting restrictions set out in section 4 of Report PTE/15/49 - text only | pdf PTE/15/49 be supported.

*36 The Danger Issues of speed near Manteo Way, Bideford, East-The-Water

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2) Councillor Dezart had requested that the Committee consider this matter in light of concerns expressed locally.

The Committee also considered the report of the Head of Highways, Capital Development Waste (HCW/15/62 - text only | pdf HCW/15/62) on investigations to verify the extent and severity of reported speeding problems associated with Manteo Way.

It was MOVED by Councillor Boyd, SECONDED by Councillor Dezart and

RESOLVED that a further speed survey be undertaken the results of which be reported to the next Speed Compliance Action Review Forum (SCARF) meeting to determine the appropriate course of action to be taken.

*37 Actions Taken Under Delegated Powers

The Committee noted the report of the Head of Highways, Capital Development Waste (HCW/15/63 - text only | pdf HCW/15/63) taken under delegated powers since the last meeting.

*38 Dates for Future HATOC Meetings

Details of future meetings of this Committee may be found at:

https://new.devon.gov.uk/democracy/calendar/

*DENOTES DELEGATED MATTER WITH POWER TO ACT

Minutes of this Committee are published on the County Council s Website at:

The meeting started at 10.30am and finished at 12. 05 pm