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Issue - meetings

Meeting: 15/02/2019 - Cabinet (Item 303)

303 Newton Abbot Exeter Road Improvements seeking approval to commence land acquisition and go to tender pdf icon PDF 2 MB

Report of the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment (PTE/19/8), seeking approval to proceed with land acquisition, side roads orders and a tender exercise for a scheme to widen the existing footway and highway between Whitehill Close and Churchills Roundabout on the A382, Newton Abbot, attached.

 

An Impact Assessment is attached separately for the attention of Members at this meeting.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

(Councillors Hannaford, Hodgson and J Hook attended in accordance with Standing Order 25(2) and spoke to this item).

 

The Cabinet considered the Report of the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment (PTE/19/8), which sought approval to proceed with land acquisition, side roads orders and a tender exercise for a scheme to widen the existing footway and highway between Whitehill Close and Churchills Roundabout on the A382, Newton Abbot, the Report having been circulated prior to the meeting in accordance with regulation 7(4) of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012.

 

The scheme was based upon achieving delivery of development to the west of Newton Abbot, improved safety on the A382 and the encouragement of the use of sustainable modes of transport.

 

The Report outlined the current issues in terms of the existing road having poor alignment, high traffic flows, poor facilities for pedestrians or cyclists, a higher than average (17%) collision rate including a fatality in 2012, narrow footways and a need to improve cycle routes. It further highlighted that Teignbridge District Council’s adopted Local Plan set out proposed residential and employment developments in the area between 2013 and 2033 including a large amount of development to the west of Newton Abbot, including Whitehill, Forches Cross and Houghton Barton, all of which had direct access onto the A382.

 

The Report described the scheme in detail, for example, widening of the highway to 6m, widening of the footway to a 3.5m shared pedestrian and cycle path and a new pedestrian refuge island to the north of Whitehill Close. The improvements were one phase of the wider A382 Corridor Improvement scheme which included realignment and widening of the A382 and a new shared pedestrian and cycle path between Drumbridges roundabout and Whitehill Cross. 

 

It further highlighted the outcome of the public consultation which was undertaken between Friday 5 October and Friday 2 November 2018. The majority of responses received were positive towards the scheme (62%). Negative responses received (38%) related to value for money, traffic disruption and safety concerns for pedestrians and cyclists using the proposed facilities.

 

Private land belonging to six land owners was required for this scheme and the Council would attempt to acquire the land through negotiation.  The amount of land required would have an impact on the rear gardens of the six houses and bring the road closer to the properties.

 

The Scheme was estimated to cost £2.4m, the funding likely to come from several sources, including The Local Transport Plan, The Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership and developer contributions through Teignbridge District Council’s Community Infrastructure Levy.

 

The Head of Services Report incorporated an Impact Assessment, circulated for the attention of Members at the meeting, which highlighted the positive impact that the scheme would have on pedestrians and cyclists with the provision of a new shared pedestrian and cycle path and improved pedestrian access from Whitehill Close to bus services on the A382, enabling sustainable  ...  view the full minutes text for item 303



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