6 November 2012

Present

Councillors S Hughes, Diviani, Giles, B Hughes, Moulding, Taylor and Wragg

East Devon District Council:-

Councillors Twiss Stott

Apologies

Councillors Bowden, Knight Thomas

*8 Minutes

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 4 July 2012 be signed as a correct record.

*9 Matters of Urgency

(a) Traffic in Lympstone

(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 order that Members may be apprised of concerns expressed at a meeting of Lympstone Parish Council meeting the previous day where residents were concerned at the speed of motorists and cyclists since the introduction of the very popular Exe Cycleway. The village was to have been the subject of the Safer Route to School Scheme some years ago, but after a safety audit no further action had been taken. With the school due to expand and many more visitors in vehicles due to the cycle route there was some concerns publicly that this issue needed further consideration. The Parish Council had been advised by the County Council to say that no further action was considered necessary.

The local County Councillor indicated that that he had allocated some of his locality budget allocation to help alleviate the situation.

The Head of Highways and Traffic Management advised that in April, installation of 20mph Limit within Exton and Lympstone had been considered. However, it had been agreed that it would not be the appropriate solution as it did not comply with current County Council policy. A subsequent application to Department for Transport to use Shared Space signs had been refused. New guidance for 20mph schemes had, however recently been issued by Department for Transport recently and therefore Lympstone could be looked at in light of that.

It was MOVED by Councillor B Hughes, SECONDED by Councillor S Hughes and

RESOLVED that the Chairman, Vice Chairman and Officers visit the site on Tuesday 13^th November at 2pm to look at the areas of concern.

(b) Stockland Hill

(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, at the request of Councillor Twiss, in order that the Committee may be made aware of concerns about the lack of information to the public and parishes about the no overtaking signs which had appeared on the Stockland Hill 7 mile straight.

Members were unaware of the reasons for the new signage and therefore requested up to date information which they in turn could disseminate to the public.

The Head of Highways and Traffic Management advised that there had been damage caused to the edge of the highway which caused a significant risk to traffic and therefore these temporary signing measures had been taken for safety reasons until the carriageway was due to be repaired in February 2013

*10 Canaan Way, Ottery St Mary Cycle Link and Toucan Crossing

Mr P Grainger attended the meeting under the Council s Public Participation scheme and spoke to this item in support of the proposed scheme.

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Highways and Traffic Management (HTM/12/50 - text only | pdf HTM/12/50) on a proposed scheme to provide shared use cycle paths and a toucan crossing in Canaan Way, Ottery St Mary.

The scheme was welcomed by Members and would prove hugely popular.

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

RESOLVED that the scheme shown on plan no. C11035/2 be approved at an estimated cost of 70,000.

*11 C808 Sidmouth Road, Bowd, Sidmouth

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Highways and Traffic Management (HTM/12/51 - text only | pdf HTM/12/51) in which it was recommended that no agreement be given to the application for a 40mph speed limit on the C808 between Bowd and north of the new recycling centre site access, as it did not meet the criteria stated in the Devon County Council policy for Local Speed Limits DTP34/05.

The Development Management Committee 18 July 2012 had considered the concerns that had been raised by local members and the Town Council when considering the planning application for the new recycling centre and resolved to grant planning permission subject to the applicant pursuing a Traffic Regulation Order to attain a 40mph speed limit for this stretch of road. The Highway Authority were satisfied however that the development proposals were acceptable from a highway safety point of view and did not require a 40mph speed limit. As a TRO had to be approved by the Highways and Traffic Orders Committee it was not possible to set the speed limit reduction as a condition, therefore the applicant was commended to seek a 40mph limit.

Members asked questions and discussed issues such as the queuing vehicles at the entrance to the civic amenity; difficulties for those residents in Bowd; lack of recorded collisions within the last 3 years; the need for repeater signs on a rural road within a designated AONB. :

It was MOVED by Councillor S Hughes, seconded by Councillor Giles and

RESOLVED that the Committee support the application and the matter be submitted to the Cabinet for determination as a departure from policy.

*12 Dinan Way, Exmouth Puffin Crossing

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Highways and Traffic Management (HTM/12/52 - text only | pdf HTM/12/52) on a proposed scheme to provide a puffin crossing in Dinan Way, Exmouth.

This scheme would have a positive impact on the area with the improvement of walking routes to both schools and to adjacent public transport links, helping to reduce the dependence on private car use. The school travel plan for Bassetts Farm Primary School had identified the need for an improved crossing facility in Dinan Way.

It was MOVED by Councillor Taylor, seconded by Councillor Wragg and

RESOLVED that the scheme on plan no. B2300189/0003 be approved at an estimated cost of 69,500.

*13 Science Park to Clyst Honiton Cycle Route

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Highways and Traffic Management (HTM/12/53 - text only | pdf HTM/12/53) on a proposed scheme to provide a cycle link from the Exeter Science Park to Blackhorse Lane, Clyst Honiton.

The route would provide the final link in the network of new walking and cycling routes in the area east of Exeter which would cater for and encourage sustainable travel options for the new East Devon community at Cranbrook, the Exeter Science Park and Skypark.

Some concerns were raised at the amount of residential accesses and emerging traffic especially where cyclists might be travelling at speeds of up to 30mph down the hill.

It was MOVED by Councillor Moulding, SECONDED by Councillor Twiss and

RESOLVED

(a) that approval be given for the scheme shown on plan no. C12019/4 at an estimated cost of 156,000; and

(b) that consideration be given to the provision of road markings to address safety concerns at the vehicle accesses along the route.

*14 Delegated Powers

The Committee received the report of the Head of Highways and Traffic Management (HTM/12/54 - text only | pdf HTM/12/54) of action taken in respect of traffic regulation orders, under delegated powers, since the last meeting.

*15 Dates of Future Meetings

26 March 2013, The Knowle, Sidmouth at 9.30am

*DENOTES DELEGATED MATTER WITH POWER TO ACT

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

[The meeting started at 9.30 am and finished at 10.30 am]