Present

Devon County Council

Councillors Owen (Chairman), Foggin, Hannan, Hannaford, Hill, Leadbetter, Morse, Prowse and Westlake

(Councillors Morse, Leadbetter and Westlake attended up to and including minute *106)

Exeter City Council

Councillor Bull

Member attending in accordance with Standing Order 25:-

Councillor Bialyk (Exeter City Council)

Apologies

Councillors Wardle and Winterbottom (Exeter City Council)

*100 Minutes

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 27 January 2015 be signed as a correct record.

*101 Bus Services in Exeter

Mr R Williams, Commercial Director, and Mr Watson, Managing Director of Stagecoach South West, attended and spoke at the invitation of the Committee on developments affecting bus services and the network in Exeter since the last meeting as follows:

on 17 March 2015 Western Greyhound ceased operating and Stagecoach was now running buses into North Cornwall for the first time;

from 5 March Stagecoach increased the peak frequency on route 56 to Exeter Airport with Local Sustainable Transport Funding via the County Council and extended the time it ran to cover shift workers at nearby work place facilities which operated from 7am -7 pm;

from 30 March route B beyond Exeter was amended to run through the bus station instead of Sidwell Street to give a combined service to Exminster from the same stop for the first time;

the Splatford Split road works which had caused reliability issues on services coming in from Torquay and Newton Abbot were now completed and this had also been the case with a number of other sets of road works recently;

from July possible revamp of routes E and F in Exeter, with additional running times in the peak to combat worsening traffic congestion which would mean a slight reduction in frequency to ensure buses arrived when expected and the congestion issue also linked in with the parking issues in Exwick Villas where Stagecoach hoped there will be progress with removal of parked cars (Minute *103 refers) and the Company was also trying to put a business case to replace the vehicles on this service in the near future;

a new experimental electronic vehicle location system was being tested and refining data so that it could be used by third parties in the future and to improve timetable reliability;

work with County Council for a passenger information system;

support for the proposed works for an additional length of bus lane (minute *105 refers) on the approach to Countess Wear from Topsham to enable better predictable running times and more reliable timetable for both the morning and afternoon peaks.

noted the work done by the County Council in Hamlin Gardens (Minute *108 refers)

the County Council s consultation regarding proposed service cuts ending on 20th April, and work with the Council to examine alternative options that might be workable, the outcome of which should be known in a few weeks.

Additionally issues and/or observations identified during the course of discussions requiring action, as indicated, included:

the Chairman gratitude to Stagecoach for answering in detail a query from a local resident;

welcoming the planned new buses for Exwick and an anticipated resolution of the Exwick Villas issue with the difficulties for buses as a result of inconsiderate parking at Exwick Villas (minute *103 refers);

re-routing the P Service away from Buller Road (due to the narrowness of the road with double parking) which had been looked into by Stagecoach who had decided to maintain the current route in view of the good patronage and convenience of existing passengers;

anti-social behaviour on buses arising from the demand for space to allow wheel chair access and child buggies etc. (recent legal judgement prioritising wheel chair access) and the good work of drivers in negotiating solutions any assistance or guidance from the County Council would be welcome;

the developing vehicle location system which should alleviate future problems of bus stacking - drivers currently would inform the control desk which would aim to resolve issues;

Stagecoach s agreement to investigate potential safety issues in Summer Lane, about the location of the bus stop (where buses might obscure sight lines) during school pick and drop off times in view of the possibility of the local primary school losing its crossing patrol.

The Chairman thanked Mr Williams and Mr Watson for the updates and responses to Members questions.

*102 Devon Highways Update

The Committee received a presentation by the Head of Highways, Capital Development Waste on highway maintenance under the Voluntary Joint Venture agreement with South West Highways and Mr G Robinson, Operations Director, South West Highways also attended and spoke at the invitation of the Committee. The presentation and discussions covered:

the County Council s success in bidding for 16,000,000 of Government funding in 2014/15 from both the Pothole Fund to address damage caused by extreme weather conditions and the Maintenance Challenge Fund with 9,600,000 of this being spent on resurfacing works and 2,900,000 being spent on patching - 13,400,000 of the additional funding had to be spent by the end of the current financial year and the County Council was on target to do so;

the challenge of continuing to provide the necessary level of highway maintenance in coming years while facing reduced revenue support grants and capital funding from Government, and the increasing importance of successful bids for challenge/incentive funding;

the submission to the Department for Transport to consider Devon as a special case and provide funding for maintenance of the rural road network alongside bids for additional capital and revenue funds for 2015/16 made available by the Government for major road networks;

the Tough Choices strategy for the 2015/16 revenue budget which included stopping grass cutting (except in visibility areas) and weed treatment and remodelling of the parish lengthsman service;

efficiency achievements notably 2,000,000 over the last three years;

pothole and other safety defect repairs - improved response time/lower cost/new repair techniques including the use of jetpatching (the V works ICT system had made a significant contribution to increased productivity/efficiency);

progress made on mobilising community support

the role of the Road Warden and basic safety awareness training being essential for volunteers;

budgetary provision for training until at least July 2015;

examples of Community Self-Help e.g. in Exeter voluntary community clear up groups ;

progress made on managing demand - work with communities on reviewing and prioritising the local highway network;

economies involving Neighbourhood Highway Groups and standby arrangements;

policies on salting/gritting and control of noxious and invasive weed species;

options for future delivery models for highway services from April 2017 which would be considered by the County Council s Cabinet in May 2015.

Members discussion points with the Head of Service and South West Highways representatives included:

issues relating to weed spraying and grass cutting in the City additional grass cutting proposals were subject to current negotiations with the City Council the outcome of which would be reported to members;

examples of delays in painting white and yellow lines following re-surfacing works any delays or issues with contractors should be reported as soon as possible to the Head of Service and appropriate remedial action would then be taken;

the priority for safety defect work in view of the limited budgetary position (including damage by weeds);

consideration of a Member Working Group to look at the scope for additional community and voluntary self-help initiatives in the City.

*103 Parking Restrictions Exwick Villas/Exwick Road

(Councillor Bialyk (Exeter City Council) attended in accordance with Standing Order 25(2) and spoke to this item).

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2) Councillor Hannaford had requested that the Committee consider the introduction of parking restrictions in Exwick Villas, Exwick Road.

The Head of Highways, Capital Development and Waste reported on current feasibility studies and the costs involved if parking restrictions were introduced on Exwick Road (River side) at this location and the views of the Police about their concerns on the possible impact on traffic speeds and compliance with the current 20 mph limit.

The local County and City Councillors referred to the difficulties for local buses and the residents views on the need for restrictions.

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

RESOLVED that a site visit be arranged involving the local City and County Councillors to consider detailed arrangements prior to approval of an experimental trial for introduction of parking restrictions at this location.

*104 Dispensation Parking Notice Scheme Progress

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2) Councillor Prowse had requested that the Committee consider the Parking Dispensation Scheme approved by the Cabinet at its meeting on 8 April 2015.

The Chairman reported that a scheme had been approved by the Cabinet which would require a Traffic Regulation Order, (as detailed in Report HCW/15/28 - text only | pdf | supplementary information HCW/15/28) which would, in turn, be subject to public advertisement and consideration of any significant objections.

*105 Countess Wear (inbound) bus priority scheme

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Planning, Transportation and Planning (PTE/15/28 - text only | pdf PTE/15/28) on a proposed scheme to reduce peak time delays to buses, and improve service reliability, on the inbound approach to the Countess Wear roundabout from the Topsham direction.

Mr Watson, Managing Director of Stagecoach South West and the Exeter City Council s Principal Manager Infrastructure Delivery, attended and spoke at the invitation of the Committee.

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

RESOLVED

(a) that the scheme shown on attached plan no. B2300328/100/02 Rev P3, be approved in principle, at an estimated cost of 102,000, to be funded from developer contributions and the Local Transport Plan Integrated Block;

(b) that public consultation be undertaken and the necessary traffic regulation orders be advertised and sealed subject to any significant objections received being referred to this Committee for consideration;

(c) the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment, in consultation with the local County Councillor and the Chairman, be authorised to make amendments to the scheme design subject to availability of funding.

*106 Rush Hour Traffic and Congestion in the City of Exeter

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2) Councillor Prowse had requested that the Committee consider rush hour congestion in the City.

The Head of Highways, Capital Development and Waste reported on evidence to show the beneficial impact of various initiatives to mitigate congestion problems in the City and on other measures planned and developing long term strategies contained with the Exeter Congestion Strategy and the Local Transport Plan (Exeter) for example. Members referred to the potential benefits of a round table discussion on the way forward involving local agencies, partners and local experts.

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

RESOLVED that a report on Exeter s congestion strategies be presented to the next meeting prior to further consideration of wider discussions with local partners and other interested parties.

*107 Water Lane Parking Issue

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2) Councillor Hill had requested that the Committee consider parking issues in Water Lane, Exeter.

The Head of Highways, Capital Development and Waste reported that following a site meeting with local members additional parking restrictions had been identified and there was potential for funding by section 106 from a local development.

*108 Hamlin Gardens Bus Stop

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2) Councillor Foggin had requested that the Committee consider issues with parking obstructing Bus Stops in Hamlin Gardens, Exeter.

The Head of Highways, Capital Development and Waste reported that a scheme had been implemented providing raised kerbs at 3 of 5 bus stops in Hamlin Gardens. Following consultation with residents by local Members it had been agreed to introduce bus stop markings at these 3 stops restricting local residents parking to facilitate ease of access for buses.

*109 Date of Next meetings

28 July, 9 November 2015 and 11 January 2016

DENOTES DELEGATED MATTER WITH POWER TO ACT

The meeting started at 2.15 pm and finished at 5. 10 pm

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