Present

Devon County Council

Councillors Mrs Foggin, Hannan, Hannaford, Hill, Leadbetter, Morse, Owen, Prowse, and

Westlake

Exeter City Council

Councillors Bull, Ruffle and Wardle

Member attending in accordance with Standing Order 25:-

Councillor Crow (Exeter City Council)

Apologies

Councillor Winterbottom (Exeter City Council)

*1 Election of Chairman and Vice Chairman

RESOLVED

(a) that Councillor Owen be elected Chairman for the ensuing year;

(b) that Councillor Morse be elected Vice-Chairman for the ensuing year.

*2 Announcement

The Chairman welcomed Mrs Mayes who was attending the meeting in her capacity as a Coopted Member of the Council's Standards Committee to observe and monitor compliance with the Council s ethical governance framework.

*3 Minutes

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 18 April 2013 be signed as a correct record subject to Minute *178 being amended by the deletion of Cowick Street and insertion of Alphington Road after the words in terms of the B service in the seventh bullet point.

*4 Pedestrian Safety Concerns at the Ship and Pelican Crossing, Fore Street, Heavitree

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2) Councillor Crow had requested that the Committee consider local concerns over reported incidents of near misses at this crossing due to motorists inappropriately entering the yellow box when the nearby bus stop was in use and thus impairing their view of signal lights; and on the need for enforcement of the yellow box rules.

The Head of Highways, Capital Development and Waste reported the Road Safety Team was aware of concerns relating to the length of Heavitree Road/Fore Street, Heavitree corridor and were developing proposals to improve pedestrian/cyclist safety and that a report would be submitted to the next meeting. They had also referred concern over enforcement of the yellow box to the Constabulary s local Road Casualty Reduction Officer who had indicated that enforcement was subject to available local resources and priorities.

*5 Matters of Urgency

(a) Review of the Parking Dispensation Scheme (Minute *182)

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

The Chairman had decided that the Committee should consider this item a matter of urgency in order that the Committee might consider its view on the Cabinet decision on this matter (Cabinet Minute 35, 10 July 2013) namely that:

(a) that the views of the Highways Traffic Orders Committee be noted;

(b) that approval be given to the Parking Dispensation Scheme and the introduction of charges (Option 4) as summarised above and set out in detail in Section 4 of Report HCW/13/25 - text only | pdf HCW/13/25;

(c) that approval be given to a new Traffic Regulation Order being advertised to implement the revised Parking Dispensation Scheme.

Members expressed concerns about the decision and referred to the need for a different approach for the City and to the recent Court decision in regard to Barnet Council on use of revenue from residents parking schemes.

It was MOVED by Councillor Westlake, SECONDED by Councillor Foggin and

RESOLVED

(a) that the Exeter HATOC object to the decision of the Cabinet in respect of the development of the Parking Dispensation Scheme and asks the Cabinet Member for Highway Management Flood Prevention to meet with members of this Committee to discuss an alternative Scheme for Exeter;

(b) that a report be submitted to the next meeting on the use of parking revenues and the implications of the Barnet case.

(NB: In accordance with Standing Order 32 (4) Councillor Leadbetter requested that his abstention from voting on the decision (a) be recorded)

(b) Petition

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

The Chairman had decided that the Committee should consider this item a matter of urgency in order that the Committee could receive a petition from a member.

The Chairman was presented, by Councillor Leadbetter, with a petition organised by local residents of Clyst Road, Exeter containing 450 signatures seeking an improved footpath scheme in this Road.

The Chairman indicated that the relevant Head of Service would be asked to respond direct to the petitioners on the issues raised, within 15 days.

*6 Bus Services in Exeter

Mr Robert Williams, Commercial Director Stagecoach South West, updated the Committee on developments since the last meeting which included:

Recent changes:

27 May, New service 4 to Cranbrook introduced, as indicated at the last meeting and Route B extended to Dawlish Warren and reliability improvements to route 2; and 7 July, Route B Sunday; this new service 4 provided a significant enhancement to bus services on the Exeter-Honiton corridor, and the extension to service B to Dawlish Warren, were both the result of Devon County Council funding, being operated under contract to the Council;

Route P: following discussion at the last meeting and the request for a direct service from Crossmead to St Thomas Health Centre a public meeting had been held with Councillors Bull and Morris to hear residents views. It remained the case that the current route (introduced 10 years ago) had generated growth, and recreating the link would have a detrimental impact on other services and risk the growth on this service or require additional resources for which there was unlikely to be any funding. There continued to be frequent connections which a through service wouldn't replicate.

Mr Williams also responded to issues raised previously:

Route G following a request for an evening service Stagecoach had no plans to introduce this. It had been looked at a couple of years ago, but the proposed times did not meet the residents' aspirations;

J - request for increased frequency: there were no plans to do this unless funding was made available. This may come from IKEA and other housing developments in the area in due course and Stagecoach would continue to monitor patronage, but it was not currently close to the level that would justify an increase;

Market Research - the majority of Stagecoach s research was done directly with passengers through their feedback, and through staff who were providing the service on a daily basis. The Company also carried out surveys to assess satisfaction with various elements of our services; and this was now backed up by research carried out by "Passenger Focus" (commissioned by Devon County Council to reflect passenger views across the whole mix of bus services in Devon); whilst the survey showed a high level of satisfaction with services in the area (Devon as a County came 3rd best in the UK, and Stagecoach Devon was the best of all the Stagecoach operations) it reflected well on bus services in Devon as a whole, not just on Stagecoach services which were only a part of the mix of services surveyed;

Stagecoach also has a Customer Insight team who used direct marketing to target nonusers to improve patronage and viability and they compile passenger profiles on specific routes or areas to ensure a high take-up rate.

Members discussion points and responses from Mr Williams and the Head of Highways, Capital Development and Waste included:

the extension of the B route was welcomed and members reported positive feedback from users of the Service. In response Mr Williams agreed that at this early stage patronage was encouraging and he hoped that it would continue;

in response to a question from the local member Mr Williams indicated that the P service along Old Tiverton Road and Blackboy Road should serve all stops as part of the temporary diversion on the route;

the Head of Service reported on recent changes to the Bus Service Operators Grant (BSOG - formerly Fuel Duty Rebate) which was a tax rebate on fuel duty for bus services. Government was devolving elements from 1/1/14, to be ring-fenced for four years, in respect of: (i) Council supported bus services and that this was not new money but money currently received by bus operators direct from government. To withhold all this money from current contractors for supported services would risk destabilising these services and DCC costs; officers were currently assessing options to identify if this funding could be used more creatively in securing supported services; the Head of Service also reported on (ii) Commercial and supported bus services in Better Bus Areas (BBAs) and the limited potential in smaller urban areas and rural areas operators seeing a benefit in foregoing their BSOG for it to be spent in other ways by a council on improving bus journey times and reliability, and infrastructure etc. and that there had apparently been very limited take up in bids to government to set up a BBA area. BBA bids need operator support, which for these reasons was not forthcoming in Devon; and operators of other commercial services not in BBAs would continue to receive BSOG direct from government.

Mr Williams explained the issues in relation to ensuring efficient connections and waiting times in the High Street, Exeter particularly in respect of the key routes and that Stagecoach would welcome suggestions from members;

arising on a query from the local member Mr Williams agreed he would review the early evening timetabling of the A service in relation to the Alphington junction;

arising on a query from the local member the Head of Service stated he had investigated the delay in re-installing a bus stop post and flag outside Marks and Spencers in Queen Street and that undertaking this work shortly was under consideration;

the recent move of Michelle Hargreaves (formerly MD Stagecoach, Exeter) to a new post with the Company).

The Chairman thanked Mr Williams for his presentation and responses to Members questions.

It was MOVED by Councillor Hannaford, SECONDED by Councillor Owen and

RESOLVED that the Chairman write to Michelle Hargreaves (formerly Managing Director Stagecoach, Exeter) to her express this Committee s gratitude for her positive relationship with members and assistance over recent years.

*7 Committee Terms of Reference and Responsibilities

The Committee received a presentation by the Head of Highways, Capital Development and Waste on the Highways and Traffic Orders Committee covering terms of reference, Scheme of Delegation, membership and public participation.

Members asked about the potential for pooling smaller proposed Traffic Regulation Orders to achieve economies of scale and the Head of Service confirmed that the opportunity was taken to combine advertising local requests for TROs with TROs for Local Transport Plan or development led schemes when the opportunity arose.

*8 Asset Management Plan

The Committee received a presentation by the Head of Highways, Capital Development and Waste on the Asset Management Plan approved by the Cabinet on 13 March 2013 (Minute *638) relating to the maintenance of roads in the County covering road condition assessments, the current and projected backlog of costs, performance against national indicators, available resources and the preventative treatment regime adopted by the County Council.

(NB A copy of the Plan may be viewed at: http://www.devon.gov.uk/index/councildemocracy/decision_making/cma/cma_document.htm?cmadoc=minutes_exc_20130313.html)

The Head of Service also reported on the proportion of the maintenance budgets allocated for Exeter according to the provisions within the Plan.

*9 Exeter Foundation Programme

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment (PTE/13/73 - text only | pdf PTE/13/73) on the local schemes programme for the Exeter Foundation element of the Local Transport Plan Integrated Block for 2013/14.

Members discussion points included

within the local schemes element for 2013/14 Aids to Movement budget the priority of a scheme at Priory Road, Exeter;

further update at the next meeting on London Inn Square, Exeter in response to local concerns, including drainage concerns and cycle safety;

update on the review of the pedestrian crossing arrangements in Alphington Road (near the Sainsbury junction);

more information on designs for the Exhibition Way link Road and the Moor Lane roundabout.

The Head of Service undertook to provide additional information to the local members in respect of the matters referred to above.

It was MOVED by Councillor Owen SECONDED by Councillor Morse and

RESOLVED that the funding provisions included in report PTE/12/24 - text only | pdf PTE/12/24 Devon and Torbay Local Transport Plan 2011 to 2026: Proposed Programme 2012/13 to 2014/15 for Devon be noted.

*10 Exeter Central Library Enhancement Scheme

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment (PTE/13/74 - text only | pdf PTE/13/74) on a proposed new public space outside Exeter Central Library, substantially funded by Local Transport Plan funding to provide an attractive pedestrian environment, maximising the potential for a range of uses and events associated with the library and addressed accessibility issues, and links with the cultural quarter and wider city centre for all users including improved parking proposals for disabled users.

Members discussed the potential for additional joint funding with Exeter City Council for improved stone pavement quality.

It was MOVED by Councillor Owen SECONDED by Councillor Hannaford and

RESOLVED

(a) that the enhancement scheme shown on plan No. (C12021/13) be approved at an estimated cost of 198,000;

(b) that Traffic Regulation Orders for the restrictions shown on drawing (N3224/201/B) be advertised and if no objections are received be made and sealed; and

(c) that the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment, in consultation with the Chairman and Vice-Chairman be authorised to make minor amendments to the scheme design, including improved paving material with the use of York Stone (subject to additional resources from the County and City Councils).

*11 Chancel Lane Bridge Safety Improvements

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment (PTE/13/75 - text only | pdf PTE/13/75) on a proposed developer funded scheme to improve pedestrian safety and accessibility on Chancel Lane by reducing speeds on the approaches to the railway bridge and discouraging larger vehicles from using the route with the use of bollards at either end.

It was MOVED by Councillor Morse, SECONDED by Councillor Westlake and

RESOLVED

(a) that the scheme shown on drawing numbers B2300119\CHAN\0007 Rev P3 and B2300119\CHAN\0008 Rev P1 be approved for implementation at an estimated cost of 60,000;

(b) that the advertising of Traffic Regulation Orders associated with the scheme shown on plans B2300119\CHAN\0007 Rev P3 and B2300119\CHAN\0008 Rev P1 be approved and, if no objections are received, be made and sealed.

*12 Denmark Road/Barnfield Road/Barnfield Hill Junction, Exeter pedestrian and cycle safety scheme

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment (PTE/13/76 - text only | pdf PTE/13/76) on a proposed scheme to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists at the Denmark Road/Barnfield Road/Barnfield Hill junction, Exeter

It was MOVED by Councillor Westlake, SECONDED by Councillor Ruffle and

RESOLVED that approval be given for the scheme shown on attached plan no. C13002/04, at an estimated cost of 70,000.

*13 Exeter HGV Traffic Management Proposals

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Highways, Capital Development and Waste (HCW/13/31 - text only | pdf HCW/13/31) on proposals to encourage heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) to use appropriate routes when travelling through the city.

It was MOVED by Councillor Owen, SECONDED by Councillor Prowse and

RESOLVED

(a) that the Traffic Regulation Orders required for the proposals detailed in section 4 be advertised and if no objections are received, be made and sealed;

(b) that the Head of Service be requested to give further consideration in consultation with the local member to prohibition of HGVs in Wrefords Lane, Exeter;

(c) that the Head of Service and the Chairman, Vice Chairman and local members meet with representatives from the Freight Transport Association and Road Haulage Association to further discuss routing arrangements for HGVs in Cowick Street and generally the size of vehicles (for loading unloading in city centre locations).

*14 Polsloe and Mount Pleasant: Residents Parking in Polsloe and Blackboy Road; Highway resurfacing in Polsloe; and Mount Pleasant traffic lights/pedestrian safety

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2) Councillor Westlake had requested that the Committee consider the above matters.

The Head of Highways, Capital Development and Waste reported that an updated schedule of locations to be considered for Residents Parking when resources permit would be submitted to the next meeting (following consideration by the Congestion Working Party), that arrangements would be made with the local member for a site meeting to discuss parking in Blackboy Road together with safety issues at Mount Pleasant traffic lights, and that further information would be sent to the local member on proposed highway resurfacing in Polsloe.

The report of the Head of Highways and Traffic Management (HTM/12/60 - text only | pdf HTM/12/60) from 8 November 2012 on the notes of the Congestion Working Party meeting held on 3 July 2012 would be circulated to members for information.

*15 Actions Taken Under Delegated Powers

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Highways, Capital Development and Waste (HCW/13/32 - text only | pdf HCW/13/32) on actions taken in respect of Traffic Orders under delegated powers since the last meeting.

*16 Dates of Meetings

5 November 2013, 20 January and 22 April 2014 at 2.15 pm at County Hall, Exeter.

*DENOTES DELEGATED MATTER WITH POWER TO ACT

The meeting started at 2.15 pm and finished at 5.35 pm

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