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Meeting documents

North Devon Highways and Traffic Orders

Committee Minutes

Tue Mar 25 2014

Related Documents:
agenda for these minutes

Devon County Council

Councillors Yabsley (Chairman), Biederman, Chugg, Davis, Edgell, Greenslade and Mathews

[NB: Councillor Davis present up to and including Minute 25]

North Devon District Council

Councillors Cann, Manuel and Spear

Apologies

Councillor Edmunds (Devon County Council)

*23 Minutes

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 29 October 2013 be signed as a correct record

*24 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. Mr G Robinson, Operations Director, South West Highways attended and spoke at the invitation of the Committee.

The presentation covered:

the impacts of the recent winter weather throughout Devon - 1340 fallen trees; 176 bank slips; 4600 reported flooding incidents;

the introduction of a Members Information Pack on: the highways backlog; what s happening in your area?; highways network condition; safety defects and fixing potholes; Bellwin funding; winter damage and maintenance; self-help and community support and other service areas - the pack would also be available online;

building the case for more capital funding - Devon highways budget and road condition index;

pothole repair process - through planning and resource optimisation;

examples of efficiencies - recycling of materials e.g. reed bed treatment of gully waste and surface dressing.

The Committee viewed a DVD on surface dressing by a new combi-unit which was more efficient.

In responding to points raised by Members, the Head of Service and the South West Highways representative indicated that/referred to:

in relation to concerns regarding the period of temporary traffic lights associated with maintenance work a summary of the remaining legacy work from last year s storms would be sent to Members;

in the information pack referred to officers would give consideration to inclusion of information on how parishes may report matters of concern, possibly within the FAQ section;

a deep dive report on Highways including strategic overview and personnel/resource matters would be submitted to Cabinet in due course;

the involvement of the locality teams in decision making relating to Asset Management and priority setting and the current level and extent of delegation of functions and work to the teams within defined parameters;

information about additional insurance highway claims as a result of poor road conditions would be sent to Members;

difficulties experienced and lessons learnt from resurfacing work in extreme hot weather conditions as experienced at Fremington;

a scheme was being developed by the County Council to support farmers/local communities/parishes to undertake minor highway works where appropriate;

the difficulties faced by SW Highways with the unprecedented increase in road pot hole reporting and maintenance during the recent difficult weather conditions.

*25 Market and Coastal Towns Rural Foundation Programme/Devon and Torbay Local Transport Plan 2011 to 2026: Proposed Programme 2012/13 to 2014/15

The Committee considered Joint Report of the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment and of the Head of Highways, Capital Development and Waste (PTE/14/27 - text only | pdf PTE/14/27) on the proposed Local Transport Plan programme for 2014/15 in the North Devon area.

Officers undertook to provide further information direct to local Members as appropriate on:

information on criteria for Zebra Crossing patrols (in relation to a request for a crossing at Umberleigh);

concerns about cycle safety on the Tarka Trail at Knowle approaching the A361.

It was also noted that the performance of the Old Torrington Road/Shorelands Road Junction, Barnstaple would be reviewed, together with financial contributions from planned development, prior to consideration of the next Local Transport Plan Programme in February 2015.

It was MOVED by Councillor Yabsley, SECONDED by Councillor Chugg and

RESOLVED that the funding provisions for North Devon included in report PTE/13/55 - text only | pdf PTE/13/55 Transport Capital Programme 2013/14 - 2014/15: Proposed Allocation considered by the Cabinet on 10 July 2013 be noted.

*26 Grass Cutting

(Councillors Yabsley and Spear each declared a personal interest in this matter by virtue of being members of North Devon Homes)

The Head of Highways, Capital Development and Waste reported on the monitoring and ongoing discussions with the contractor following concerns last year about poor performance relating to grass cutting of highway verges.

With additional funding (from the Town and Parish Councils fund) and as before there would be two more cuts for Barnstaple making 6 per annum. In the rural areas there would only be 2 cuts annually of all visibility splays.

The Neighbourhood Highway Manager confirmed that after consultation with partners involved in the contract consideration could be given to termination of the contract if necessary.

It was MOVED by Councillor Greenslade, SECONDED by Councillor Yabsley and

RESOLVED that a further performance report be submitted to the next meeting.

*27 Future A361 Studies/Improvements

(MPC Goulding (Devon and Cornwall Constabulary) attended and spoke to this item at the request of the Committee).

The Committee received a presentation by the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment on proposals for improvements at 10 junctions and other measures along the key strategic A39/A361 corridor with use of funding associated with planned and proposed residential/business developments (subject to planning approvals) via Community Infrastructure Levies (CIL) and Pinch Point bid grants. Design proposals were being prepared and consultation (to include the Local Enterprise Partnership) would take place at the appropriate times.

Members commented on the need for consideration of additional passing places on the A361; for de-acceleration measures and improvements to the West Buckland junction (in addition to the current proposed improvements at the ten junctions) and concerns about the configuration of the North Devon Hospital junction link to the A361.

It was MOVED by Councillor Edgell, SECONDED by Councillor Yabsley and

RESOLVED that improvements to the West Buckland junction be included in the investigation to junction improvements along this corridor.

*28 Traffic Consultation in Braunton

The Committee noted and welcomed the report of the Head of Highways, Capital Development and Waste (HCW/14/29 - text only | pdf HCW/14/29) on results from a public consultation event undertaken in the Parish of Braunton on 2 October 2013 on traffic management and congestion in the village.

*29 Barnstaple Town Centre - Traffic Regulation Order HATOC Report

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Highways, Capital Development and Waste (HCW/14/30 - text only | pdf HCW/14/30) on representations received during the Barnstaple Town Centre Traffic Regulation Orders (TRO) statutory consultation and proposals to modify the TRO.

It was MOVED by Councillor Yabsley, SECONDED by Councillor Chugg and

RESOLVED

(a) that the responses to the proposed Traffic Regulation Order be noted;

(b) that the Traffic Regulation Order be modified as described in section 5 and advertised as per the modification process.

*30 Deferred Traffic Order for Chaddiford Lane, Barnstaple

(Councillor Manuel declared a personal interest in this matter by virtue of being a local resident)

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2) Councillor Greenslade had requested that the Committee consider the introduction of parking restrictions in this area. .

The Head of Highways, Capital Development and Waste reported on previous proposals for parking restrictions in Chaddiford Lane, Barnstaple which had not received widespread support from local residents and had not been implemented.

The Committee noted that subsequent discussions and consultations with residents showed there was now a clear consensus for some form of restrictions.

It was MOVED by Councillor Greenslade, SECONDED by Councillor Yabsley and

RESOLVED that the Head of Service investigate the introduction of an Experimental Traffic Order in Chaddiford Lane, Barnstaple in consultation with the local County Councillor and subject to availability of funding.

.

*31 Parking and Congestion problems at Chanters Hill, Barnstaple

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2) Councillor Greenslade had requested that the Committee consider the impact of current parking restrictions which had led to the displacement of parking problems further along this Road, recognising that following consultation with local residents there was now a clear consensus for further restrictions.

It was MOVED by Councillor Greenslade, SECONDED by Councillor Yabsley and

RESOLVED that the Head of Highways, Capital Development and Waste investigate possible solutions to mitigate the parking issues in consultation with the local County Councillor and subject to availability of funding.

*32 Actions Taken Under Delegated Powers

The Committee noted the report of the Head of Highways, Capital Development and Waste (HCW/14/31 - text only | pdf HCW/14/31) on actions taken under Delegated Powers since the last meeting and, where appropriate, in consultation with the Chairman and Local Members.

*33 Dates of Future Meetings

The Committee noted the following dates: 8 July, 18 November 2014 and 21 April 2015

*DENOTES DELEGATED MATTER WITH POWER TO ACT

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

The meeting started at 10.00am and finished at 12.55 pm

Date Published: Thu Apr 10 2014

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