Agenda, decisions and minutes

Minutes of the meeting held on 25 June 2021, attached.

It was MOVED by Councillor Hawkins and SECONDED by Councillor Gilbert and RESOLVED:

that the minutes of the meeting held on 25 June 2021 be signed as a correct record.

It was MOVED by Councillor Hawkins and SECONDED by Councillor Gilbert             and

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 25 June 2021 be signed as a correct record.

(There was then a short adjournment with the consent of the Committee to permit the attendance of the local County Councillor for the next item).

Report of the Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste (HIW/21/60, attached.

It was MOVED by Councillor Hart and SECONDED by Councillor Gilbert and RESOLVED: that:-

(a) the outcome of the site visit be noted; and

(b) the proposal to alter the verge on the north west corner of the junction, so that pedestrians waiting to cross west to east on the north side of the junction have better visibility of vehicles coming out of Plymouth Road be supported (noting the indicative costs as set out in paragraph 5 of Report (HIW/21/60) to be funded from developer contributions). (NB: In accordance with SO32(4)

(Councillor Thomas requested that his abstention from voting be recorded).

The Committee considered the Report of the Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste (HIW/21/60) on proposals following a Members’ site visit detailed below:-

Further to the last meeting the site visit was held on Monday 12 July 2021 (8.30am – 9.30am), to observe the junction and consider what option(s) may be felt necessary including an additional crossing point on the northern side of the junction.  The site visit outcome (although no formal vote was taken) was that Members were in general agreement that an additional crossing point was not required, although the local County Councillor was not in agreement with this.  Members felt that cutting back of vegetation and a scheme to permanently remove the vegetation on the north west corner of the junction, to be replaced with hard material would improve pedestrian visibility. 

The local County Councillor expressed dissatisfaction that no schedule of options had been produced within Report (HIW/21/60), to include the feasibility and costings of a staggered junction option on the north side as agreed at the last meeting.   She did not feel the school day observed was fully representative of the junction’s normal usage and still considered a crossing point was required, advising there was still support for this including from the Town Council and community.  A safer crossing would encourage less school car journeys and ease congestion.

Members further advised that from their site visit observations of the junction, user behaviour was sensible and there were no particular apparent problems.  In view of this they could not support further actions in addition to those now proposed in the Report recommendation.   

It was MOVED by Councillor Hart and SECONDED by Councillor Gilbert             and

RESOLVED: that

(a) the outcome of the site visit be noted; and

(b) the proposal to alter the verge on the north west corner of the junction, so that pedestrians waiting to cross west to east on the north side of the junction have better visibility of vehicles coming out of Plymouth Road be supported (noting the indicative costs as set out in paragraph 5 of Report (HIW/21/60) to be funded from developer contributions).

(NB:  In accordance with SO32(4) Councillor Thomas requested that his abstention from voting be recorded).