Present:-

Devon County Council:-

Councillors Bowden, Channon, Diviani, Giles, B Hughes, S Hughes, Knight, Moulding, Randall Johnson, Taylor and Wragg

East Devon District Council:-

Councillor Stott, Thomas and Twiss

*16 Election of Chairman and Vice Chairman

RESOLVED that Councillors Hughes and Moulding be elected Chairman and Vice-Chairman respectively for the ensuing year.

*17 Minutes

Councillor Thomas wished to know why Councillor Giles failed amendment to the officer recommendation which read but that the problems in Axmouth are recognised and further consideration be given to measures to alleviate the problem in Axmouth and the Local Highway Network was not recorded in Minute *11 (B3172 Boshill Cross to Axmouth, 7.5 Tonne MGW Limit).

[Note: It is not County Council practice to record failed motions or amendments in minutes other than those of the full County Council.]

Councillor Thomas also felt that Minute 11(b) should read that a bypass for Axmouth should be included as part of the LDF and LTP process rather than that its inclusion be given consideration as it stated in the minute. This proposed change to the minute was not taken up by the Committee.

Councillor Bowden asked that in reference to Minute *13 (request for a lower speed limit on the A3052 Sidmouth Road, in the vicinity of the Cat and Fiddle Residential Park) that this item be placed on the agenda for the next meeting in March 2012. This was agreed.

RESOLVED that, subject to Councillor Diviani being recorded as giving his apologies and Councillor Thomas being recorded as speaking to the Boshill Cross to Axmouth item (Minute *11), the Minutes of the meeting held on 28 March 2011 be signed as a correct record.

*18 Update on Highways Management

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

The Chairman had decided that the Committee should consider this as an urgent item so that Members could be kept informed of important management changes recently undertaken.

The Devon Highways Change Manager made a presentation which set the scene. It highlighted the need to find 8m reductions from Highway Management budget in 2011/12 and the subsequent Highway Management Review which resulted in three key recommendations:

Move to joint working with South West Highways in a Virtual Joint Venture .

Centralise key works programmes and processes to increase efficiency and ensure consistency;

Establish Highway Neighbourhood Teams to support Members and meet the new Localism agenda;

The presentation went on to discuss the detailed working of this new joint venture which would be known as Devon Highways under the headings of Key Purpose and Group Purpose.

Members asked questions and made comments in relation to whether staff were happy with the changes, extra Government funding for combating severe weather conditions on the roads, contract conditions of the new joint venture and expected cost recovery, urgent works for small villages, whether promoting sustainable travel was included in the new joint venture and efficient digital communication and channel switching.

The Chairman thanked Mr Brunt for his presentation and asked that Members be sent a copy of the presentation.

*19 Blackhorse Lane to Clyst Honiton: Cycle Link

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Highways and Traffic Management (HTM/11/22 - text only | pdf HTM/11/22) which sought to approval to a package of works to complete further sections of a walking and cycling route from Exeter, via the new Redhayes Bridge over the M5 motorway, to Clyst Honiton and the new community at Cranbrook. The Head of Highways and Traffic Management advised the Committee that since the publication of the report officers had become aware that restrictions to raising the parapet had been removed and that this could now be included in the scheme but would raise the estimated cost to 82,000.

It was MOVED by Councillor Bowden, SECONDED by Councillor Knight and

RESOLVED

(a) that the scheme shown on plan no. C11014/6 for a footway/cycleway link along the C832 (the former A30) from Blackhorse Lane to Clyst Honiton be approved at an estimated cost of 82,000;

(b) that approval in principle be given, at an indicative cost of 200,000, for the scheme shown diagrammatically on attached plan no. C11014/7 to continue the footway/cycleway eastwards to link up with the footway/cycleway to be constructed as part of the Clyst Honiton by-pass proposals.

*20 Clyst Honiton to Exeter Airport: Cycle Link

(Councillor Randall Johnson declared a personal interest in the item by virtue of the fact that she was personally involved in the preparation of the scheme)

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Highways and Traffic Management (HTM/11/23 - text only | pdf HTM/11/23) seeking approval to a proposed scheme to provide a cycle link from Clyst Honiton to Exeter Airport.

It was MOVED by Councillor Diviani, SECONDED by Councillor Bowden and

RESOLVED that the scheme shown on plan no. C08017/18 be approved at an estimated cost of 85,000.

*21 Shelly Road, Exmouth

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2), Councillor Wragg had asked that the Committee considers an update on the adoption of Shelly Road.

Mr Dowell, Chairman of the Exmouth Quay Residents Association, and Mr Bradridge, Representative of the Shelly Reach Residents attended and spoke to this item in accordance with the County Council s public participation procedures. Councillor Wragg explained the ongoing problems associated with the inability to pass on this stretch of road and supported Mr Bradridge s proposal for a site meeting between interested parties.

The Head of Highways and Traffic Management welcomed the opportunity for a site visit.

It was MOVED by Councillor Wragg, SECONDED by Councillor Channon and

RESOLVED that a site visit attended by officers, the local Member and representatives of the two residents groups be arranged before the next meeting.

*22 Exmouth Seafront

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2), Councillor Wragg had asked that the Committee considers an update on camper van parking on Exmouth Seafront.

The Head of Highways and Traffic Management reported that campervans could park for 24 hours subject to no return for the next 24 hours. Members commented on some campervans taking up 2 spaces, staying overnight for weeks, becoming a public health issue, the possibility of having certain areas allocated for campervan parking, increasing the charges for long stay parking and improving parking enforcement.

It was MOVED by Councillor Diviani, SECONDED by Councillor Wragg and

RESOLVED that officers review the current charges for on-road long stay parking in coastal towns in conjunction with officers from East Devon District Council with a view to making longer stay parking punitive.

*23 Coronation Corner, Axmouth

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2), Councillor Jim Knight has asked that the Committee considers supporting a project to improve safety for pedestrians at Coronation Corner in Axmouth as requested by Axmouth Parish Council.

The proposal, which had been drawn up by DCC Highways, for the linking and improvement of the footway from the Village Hall to Coronation Corner, would enable pedestrians to walk safely on footways from Axmouth village to Seaton. Funding from the DCC Highways department budget was unavailable, but the Parish Council intended to put this project forward under the Local Project Fund of DCC.

Ms C Rapley, Chairman of the Axmouth Parish Council, attended and spoke to this item in accordance with the County Council s public participation procedures.

The Head of Highways and Traffic Management reported that this scheme, as part of a package of measures, was placed in the Local Transport Plan for next year. Councillor Knight and other Members were of the view that next year would be too late and requested that officers bring forward a scheme to the next meeting.

It was MOVED by Councillor Knight, SECONDED by Councillor Giles and

RESOLVED that officers bring a costed scheme to improve safety for pedestrians at Coronation Corner in Axmouth to be implemented, subject to the approval of Cabinet.

*24 Dates of Future Meetings

Members noted that the next meeting of this Committee was scheduled for Monday 26 March 2012, commencing at 9.00am.

The Council's calendar of meetings may be found at:

http://www.devon.gov.uk/index/your_council/decision_making/meetings_calendar.htm

*DENOTES DELEGATED MATTER WITH POWER TO ACT

The meeting started at 9am and finished at 10.40am

The Minutes of the East Devon Highways and Traffic Orders Committee are published on the County Council s Website at:-