Present:-

Devon County Council:-

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

East Devon District Council:-

Councillors Bailey and Coppell

Apologies:-

East Devon District Councillor Stott

*43 Election of Chairman

RESOLVED that Councillor S Hughes be elected Chairman for the ensuing year.

*44 Election of Vice-Chairman

RESOLVED that Councillor Moulding be elected Vice-Chairman for the ensuing year.

*45 Minutes

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 5 March 2015 be signed as a correct record.

*46 Traffic Calming, West Hill Road, West Hill, Ottery St Mary

The Committee considered the Report of the Head of Highways, Capital Development and Waste (HCW/15/55 - text only | pdf HCW/15/55) on the proposed construction of three pairs of speed cushions on West Hill Road, following a speed survey at the location and consultation with local residents, to reduce traffic speed.

The Committee discussed:

the consultation carried out last autumn by the local County Councillor which indicated residents preference for speed cushions;

the provision of flat top raised tables instead of cushions, because of the effect of driving over speed cushions on those with certain disabilities and on those moving livestock;

the possibility of combining the advertising of a further traffic order with any other potential traffic orders in the area to save on costs.

It was MOVED by Councillor Knight, SECONDED by Councillor Channon

It was RESOLVED that the Report be noted and that a further Traffic Regulation Order be advertised for the installation of 6 metre long flat top raised tables at West Hill Road, in place of the speed cushions originally proposed, and that if no significant objections are received, the Traffic Regulation Order be made and sealed and the flat top raised tables be installed.

*47 Seaton Down Hill, Seaton

(Councillors Knight, Randall Johnson and Wragg each declared a personal interest in this

item by virtue of being Members of the School Transport Appeals Panel).

(Councillor Beer, Seaton Parish Councillor, attended and spoke to this item in accordance with the Committee s working practices).

(Mr Allan, Seaton Community Speed Watch, attended the meeting and spoke to this item at the invitation of the Committee, in support of the implementation of traffic calming measures and reduction in speed limits on Seaton Down Hill).

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2) Councillor Knight had requested that the Committee consider restricting the speed of vehicles at the top of Seaton Down Hill, following representation from local residents and the Seaton Coastal Traffic Group.

The Committee discussed:

problems with excessive speeding from the point where the speed limits was reduced from 60mph to 30mph;

the option of replacing the national speed limit with a 40mph speed limit on the stretch of road leading into the town;

a comparison with the use of pinch points as traffic calming measures on a similar stretch of road in Lyme Regis;

safety concerns raised due to traffic speeds at a school transport appeal which included Seaton Down Road in the route;

the importance of using a holistic and common sense approach to speed limits at locations where there is a large amount of public concern around speeding, rather than solely applying Council policy;

the need for a proactive approach to manage dangerous vehicle speeds across the County, rather than relying solely on collision data.

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

RESOLVED that a site visit be arranged to enable the Chairman and Vice-Chairman to gain a more in-depth understanding of the speeding issues at this location, with the Local County Councillor, Parish Councillor Beer and Mr Allan of Seaton Community Speed Watch.

*48 Flooding and Back-up of Traffic, Victoria Road/Imperial Road, Exmouth

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2) Councillor Wragg had requested that the Committee discuss problems with flooding and also the back-up of traffic caused by pavement widening on Victoria Road and Imperial Road.

The Committee discussed:

the congestion caused by the pinch point on Victoria Road as a result of pavement widening;

the increase in episodes of flooding at the location since the installation of flat top raised tables;

the impact of the decrease in gully clearance works due to funding cuts across the County.

The Head of Highways, Capital Development Waste advised the Committee:

that the pavement widening had been approved at a meeting of the former Highways Sub Committee, under a Local Safety Scheme to address an identified casualty record, to allow for the safe crossing of pedestrians and to reduce the speed of traffic;

that allowance for drainage was built in to the flat top raised tables using road gullies and a drainage system, but that it is still possible that these may become blocked;

that highway flooding would only be considered a safety defect if the road remained flooded for over 24 hours, and at this point clearance works would be carried out.

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

RESOLVED that investigations at the site be undertaken into the flooding and congestion issues, and that a report be brought to the next meeting of this Committee outlining the results of the investigations together with any proposals for managing both the flooding and the congestion concerns identified at this location.

*49 Petitions/Parking Policy Reviews

[An item 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 and Waste reported the receipt of a petition from residents of Seaton Down Road seeking a review of parking policy in the area and the removal of the existing restrictions in the form of double yellow lines at Seaton Down Road.

In accordance with the Council s Petition Scheme, Mrs Pavey (on behalf of the petition organiser), put forward the petitioners case for the removal of the current restrictions.

The Head of Service advised that a meeting with residents and the local County Councillor had taken place at the location and an agreement had been reached to remove the double yellow lines along one section of the road to allow for parking of up to twelve cars, with additional restrictions in Ryalls Court, subject to the advertising of a Traffic Regulation Order to this effect. No funding had currently been identified to advertise or implement such a Traffic Regulation Order, but the Head of Service confirmed that it would be possible to advertise in conjunction with other planned orders in the locality.

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

RESOLVED that a Traffic Regulation Order to modify parking restrictions at Seaton Down Road and Ryalls Court as agreed with residents and the local County Councillor, be advertised once funding had been identified and that efforts be made to identify other local schemes which could be jointly advertised.

*50 Action Taken Under Delegated Powers

The Committee received the Report of the Head of Highways, Capital Development and Waste (HCW/15/57 - text only | pdf HCW/15/57) on actions taken in respect of Traffic Regulation Orders under delegated powers, following consultation with the Chairman and local County Councillors.

*DENOTES DELEGATED MATTER WITH POWER TO ACT

The meeting started at 10.00 am and finished at 11.03 am.

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