Present:-

Devon County Council:-

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

East Devon District Council:-

Councillors Bailey and Stott

Apologies:-

Councillors Channon, Hone and Randall - Johnson,

East Devon District Councillor Coppell

*51 Minutes

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 24 July 2015 be signed as a correct record.

*52 Devon and Torbay Local Transport Plan 2011-2026: East Devon Programme for 2015/16 and 2016/2017

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Highways, Capital Development Waste (PTE/15/68 - text only | pdf PTE/15/68) setting out the proposed Local Transport Plan for the East Devon area for 2015/16 and 2016/17, indicating that budgets were extremely limited with the level of Integrated Block funding from Government being one third of the value received in 2009.

Particular attention was drawn to section four of the report, which outlined a new approach to dealing with requests for waiting restrictions. This would include an annual local programme, with funding for each of the Highways and Traffic Order Committees (HATOC), drawn from on street parking income, to cover the costs of the scheme design, processing of the Traffic Regulation Order and installation of lines and signs. A single annual Traffic Regulation Order would be produced for each HATOC area, thereby reducing overall costs. If required, top-up funds could be provided from other local sources.

The Head of Service indicated that a report would be bought to the next Committee meeting in March outlining which schemes would be proposed for consultation during the subsequent year, following discussions with Local Members.

The Committee discussed:

progress on the Feniton to Sidford cycle path and were informed that there was a future scheme for a Sidmouth to Feniton cycle path with potential government funding which Devon County Council could bid for;

concerns over the number of bikes transported on the ferry between Exmouth and Starcross by users of the Exe Cycle Trail which had resulted in the owner considering stopping this facility; Members were informed this had been dealt with and the Chairman would circulate an email regarding this matter;

a site meeting which took place last week, attended by Neil Parish MP and Members of the Local Enterprise Partnership, which looked at extending the North/South relief road at Axminster to avoid Weycroft Bridge, with the Head of Planning, Transportation Environment to complete a study of potential alternative routes;

that the opening of the new Cranbrook Railway Station would take place on Sunday 13 December, with the first train arriving at approximately 8:46am; with the Town Council arranging hot food and drinks and music provided by the Maynard School Band Maynard School BandMaynard School Band Maynard School BandMaynard School Band.

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

RESOLVED

a) that funding provisions which had been included in the Devon and Torbay Local Transport Plan 2011 to 2026: East Devon Programme for 2015/16 and 2016/17 be noted;

b) that the proposed approach to local priority waiting restrictions as set out in section four of the report be supported.

*53 Victoria Road/Imperial Road Junction, Exmouth

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Highways, Capital Development and Waste (HCW/15/85 - text only | pdf HCW/15/85) updating on the flooding and congestion issues at the above junction, with proposals for managing both of these concerns identified. The Head of Service explained, in regard to the flooding concerns, that:

South West Water and the Environment Agency were aware of the concerns around flooding in this area, however there were challenges in making improvements as the drains ran into a combined system with issues around the tide and the area being low lying;

a report has been produced by South West Water which recommended that changes to the existing drainage system should not take place as these would have a minimal affect, however the Council continued to work with South West Water to find alternative solutions;

the gully s in the area were cleaned regularly and would continue to be maintained and monitored by the Council;

to be classified as a safety defect, standing water needs to have lasted for more than 24 hours.

In relation to traffic and congestion issues, the Head of Service advised that:

two traffic studies had been completed each monitoring the flow of traffic on Victoria Road using cameras over a 24 hour period;

they had found no evidence of congestion, with the longest wait being approximately 20 seconds;

as a result, it was deemed that Victoria road did not require investment;

improvements at the Mamhead Slipway may have an impact on the traffic in this area;

an Exmouth Traffic Review would take place and would consider the effects of the development of the Mamhead Slipway to traffic in the area.

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

RESOLVED

a) that the condition of the existing highway drainage system be monitored and that it is ensured that, as afar as possible, it runs to capacity to the shared system;

b) that the Exmouth Traffic Review considers the impact of improvements being made to the Mamhead Slipway on traffic flows in Victoria Road.

*54 Seaton Down Hill, Seaton

The Head of Highways Capital Development Waste provided an update to the Committee, following its recommendation at the meeting of 24th July to arrange a site visit to enable the Chairman and Vice-Chairman to gain a more in-depth understanding of the speeding issues at Seaton Down Hill, accompanied by the local County Councillor, Town Councillor Beer and Mr Allan of Seaton Community Speed Watch. The site visit took place on the 6th October 2015.

The Committee was advised that details of gateway designs based on the Department for Transport circular had been provided to the community, which was available at: http://tsrgd.co.uk/pdf/tal/1993/tal-13-93.pdf. The Committee was informed that such designs can be expected to cost in excess of 3000.

The Head of Service explained that Devon County Council did not have any budgets in place to facilitate the design or construction work for schemes of this nature and therefore another source of funding would need to be sourced locally to progress such a scheme. Any proposals would be required to go through a safety audit procedure, which would consider the safety implications. It agreed to ask the Town Council if they would be prepared to contribute towards a gateway feature.

The Head of Service clarified previous information given regarding accident statistics on Seaton Down road and also advised Members that a 30 mph sign which was obscured by vegetation had now been addressed.

It was advised that the Devon County Council traffic speed policy would be subject to review next year which would consider the Department of Transport's national review but would not include a public consultation.

The Local Member understood that the County Council would look into the design and costings of implementing the gateway feature; however they had since been informed that this would need to be funded locally. The Committee was informed that Officers would be in contact with the local Town Council to discuss funding options for this scheme.

The Committee discussed concerns raised around the need for a footpath from the bus stop on the A3052, where the public currently walked off the bus onto the main highway, which was due to be funded from the Local Members locality budget.

*55 One Way Traffic System for Burnside, Withycombe Exmouth

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2) Councillor Bailey had requested that the Committee consider introducing a one way traffic system for Burnside, in Withycombe, Exmouth.

The Head of Highways Capital Development Waste advised Members that this issue had been raised in 2013 by the Local Member and would also be looked into as part of the Exmouth Traffic Review. The cost of implementing a one way system was approximately 13,000, with no guarantee that it would improve road safety.

The Committee discussed:

concerns raised by the local community, with over 200 residents signing a petition, regarding parking outside of the local Primary School which had caused traffic congestion in the surrounding roads;

that parking on both sides of the road had led to safety concerns over children walking back from school as well as difficulties for Emergency Services vehicles accessing local residents on this road;

that issues around traffic management at Burnside would be looked at as part of the Exmouth Traffic Review.

*56 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/).

There was no current petition for a parking review from a member of the public relating to East Devon.

*57 Action Taken Under Delegated Powers

The Committee received the Report of the Head of Highways, Capital Development and Waste (HCW/15/86 - text only | pdf HCW/15/86) 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 11.05 am.

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