Present

Devon County Council

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

Exeter City Council

Councillor Wardle

Apologies

Councillors Bull, Buswell and Newby (Exeter City Council)

*135 Minutes

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 9 November 2015 be signed as a correct record

*136 Matter of Urgency: Playmoor Drive, Exeter

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

The Chairman had decided that the Committee should be advised of the receipt of a petition from the residents of Playmoor Drive containing 16 signatories relating to the condition of the Road and safety matters.

The Neighbourhood Highway Group Manager reminded members that this matter had been considered at the last meeting (Minute *131) when it had been reported that a highways inspection had been undertaken and no safety defects detected. In accordance with the Council s petition scheme he would respond to the petitioners on the issue within 15 days.

*137 Bus Services in Exeter

Mr Williams, Commercial Director Stagecoach attended and spoke at the invitation of the Committee on developments affecting bus services and the network in Exeter and environs since the last meeting on:

upgrading of the 57 Service and reduced fares as part of the January Sales

a new fleet of double deckers for the red Park Ride (PR) Service upgraded with Wi Fi etc. and improved specifications for the blue/green services

the introduction shortly of a smart card to be given to all passengers to facilitate easy on-line payment and speed-up boarding times

a proposed new South West Regional Coach service to serve Bristol Airport from Plymouth, Exeter and Taunton providing a third transport link for the region.

Additionally issues and/or observations identified during the course of discussions, included:

future proposed arrangements for boarding Coaches in Bampfylde Street as a result of new proposed City Centre Bus Depot (which was still subject to planning permission) noting the loss of the waiting room for coach passengers but with no overall reduction in coach bay capacity; the new proposed arrangements provided for improved flexibility for its bus services, more room for the coach passengers to load/unload luggage and Stagecoach was working within the constraints of the proposed arrangements and limitations of the site;

the proposed highways routes in and out of the proposed City Depot were viewed by Stagecoach as an improvement on current arrangements and with the pedestrianisation scheme for part of Paris Street an improvement also for the City Centre;

the current in/out bound routes for PR from the new depot in Matford would not change as a result of the new proposed arrangements and no bus routes would be diverted through Alphington; only buses serving Alphington would use that route and drivers would be instructed accordingly;

the removal of the bus stop with passenger seating in South Street (following a recent accident); the Neighbourhood Highway Group Manager undertook to ascertain for Members whether seating would be replaced as this was contracted by the County Council;

notification to the local member of when the bus stop outside of Newport Station would be reinstated;

alleged continued bus bunching on the A service which Mr Williams undertook to review

problems for all City Centre services caused by congestion around the Christmas period, which was particularly difficult during this festive season; and Mr Williams referred to the need for effective enforcement of parking restrictions in the City during the period to help alleviate congestion particularly in Paris Street, Bampfylde Street and Western Way areas;

Stagecoach was aware of the growing market relating to Exeter Airport and the current bus service to the airport was subject to review under the County Council contract.

The Chairman indicated that she would forward to Mr Williams further questions relating to the new proposed arrangements at the City Centre Bus depot and thanked him for the updates and responses to Members questions.

*138 Petitions/Parking Policy Reviews

There was no petition for a parking review from a Member of the public or Council.

*139 Hollow Lane Traffic Management Scheme

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Planning, Transportation and Planning (PTE/16/5 - text only | pdf PTE/16/5) on a proposed traffic management scheme to provide an enhanced walking and cycling route at Hollow Lane, Exeter and improved access to the Ellen Tinkham School with associated Traffic Regulation Orders that had been advertised to close the route to through traffic and to manage parking within the Lane. The Head of Service reported that Ellen Tinkham School was supportive of the proposals including the access arrangements.

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

RESOLVED

(a) that the scheme shown on plan C12018/10A included in Appendix I to report PTE/16/5 - text only | pdf PTE/16/5 be approved at an estimated cost of 108,000;

(b) that approval be given to make, seal and implement the Traffic Regulation Orders as detailed in Section 2 of report PTE/16/5 - text only | pdf PTE/16/5 having regard to all relevant factors under Section 122 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984.

*140 Zebra Crossing Okehampton Road

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Highways, Capital Development and Waste (HCW/16/3 - text only | pdf HCW/16/3) on investigations into the need for a zebra crossing on Okehampton Road near the junction with Buller Road following a petition from local residents and local City and County Council members that had been received at the Committee meeting on 28 July 2015 (Minute *115). Following traffic surveys, an assessment of potential loss of local parking, the data for pedestrian and vehicle demand did not support the introduction of a zebra crossing. The Head of Service also reported on the receipt of a petition in opposition to the requested crossing. The local County Councillor referred to the possibility of a further review at a later stage and potential developer contributions in view of new proposed residential development in the area.

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

RESOLVED that the introduction of a zebra crossing on Okehampton Road between the junction of Buller Road and Western Road is not justified by the results of the pedestrian and traffic survey and casualty record and no further action be taken on the request.

*141 Road Closures in the City

The Committee noted the report of the Head of Highways, Capital Development and Waste (HCW/16/4 - text only | pdf HCW/16/4) on roadworks undertaken in November 2015 following concerns by members on the number affecting main arterial routes in the City. The project management process as laid out in the Network Management Plan (previously considered by this Committee) included the requirement to inform local members of impending works and ways to improve communication would be discussed with members.

*142 Park Ride and Park Change Update

The Committee received a presentation by the Head of Planning, Transportation and Planning covering:

the current Park Ride sites to the west at Matford and to the east at Sowton and Honiton Road and costs of providing new traditional Park Ride sites with high capital and ongoing revenue costs

proposal for a new 600 space Park Ride scheme at the Roundfield Site, to the south of the A30 corridor which was now being taken forward to alleviate congestion on the A377 Alphington corridor

the concept of Park and Change

The failure to identify a site to the north of the city and the A377 Cowley Bridge Road corridor; and where possible, existing bus and rail services would be used to serve this corridor, to be achieved in part through new Park and Change opportunities;

a study to identify park and change options for Exeter, Newton Abbot and Totnes.

The Head undertook to circulate further details of the proposals to Members.

*143 Proposed Restrictions: Cowley Bridge Road, Exeter (Minute *130)

The Chairman and the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment reported on a site visit undertaken by local members as part of the consideration of objections to the Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) for the relocation of residents parking bays on Cowley Bridge Road (A377) to facilitate a ghost island right turn on the A377 into the reconfigured layby to be funded by developer contributions in the future expectation of the new Steiner school reaching its capacity of 620 pupils.

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

RESOLVED that the existing residents parking bays be retained and that the right turn facility be not provided.

*144 A Boards and Enforcement

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2) Councillor Prowse had requested that the Committee consider his and local concerns about the proliferation of A Boards and other obstructions from local businesses in the Queen Street/Gandy Street areas; and other Councillors gave examples of obstructions in the Cowick Street and South Street areas.

The Neighbourhood Highway Group Manager reported on the County Council s policy (a copy of which would be circulated to Committee members).

The Group Manager also reported that following requests to local businesses, any necessary enforcement action to remove obstructions that did not comply with the policy would be taken (in conjunction with police officers) when necessary.

Members were invited to liaise with their local Neighbourhood Highways Officers to identify any areas of concern who would then consider appropriate actions to be taken in accordance with Council policy.

*145 Parking Issues, Pennsylvania Road, between Junctions Argyll Road and Rosebarn Lane (combined with APM policy and Access Protection Markings Re-instatement)

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2) Councillor Prowse had requested that the Committee consider the current parking arrangements in Pennsylvania Road near Rosebarn Lane and Argyle Road and concerns about the impact of unrestricted parking by non-residents. Councillor Prowse confirmed that he had reviewed the impact of the parking restrictions introduced in Rosebarn Lane with officers, and no further action was necessary in that respect. The Committee noted that the local County Councillor would visit these roads accompanied by the local Neighbourhood Highway Officer to assess whether Access Protection Markings (AMPs) would assist local residents and whether they would be in accordance with policy.

*146 Dates for Future HATOC Meetings

Dates of future meetings of County Council meetings may be seen at:

https://new.devon.gov.uk/democracy/calendar/

DENOTES DELEGATED MATTER WITH POWER TO ACT

The meeting started at 2.15 pm and finished at 4. 25 pm

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