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Agenda, decisions and minutes

Venue: Phoenix House, Tiverton

Contact: Fred Whitehouse, 01392 381362  Email: fred.whitehouse@devon.gov.uk

Items
Note No. Item

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7.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 384 KB

Minutes of the meeting held on 9 July 2021, attached.

Minutes:

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 9 July 2021 be signed as a correct record.

 

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8.

Items Requiring Urgent Attention

Items which in the opinion of the Chairman should be considered at the meeting as matters of urgency.

Minutes:

There was no item raised as a matter of urgency.

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9.

A396 Bickleigh Bridge

Update of the Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste.

Minutes:

Members received an update of the Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste on progress on the issues surrounding the A396 Bickleigh Bridge since the last meeting of this Committee.

 

At the last meeting Members and officers had discussed the proposed actions to be taken considering recent incidents involving Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) causing damage to the bridge, as well as general difficulty navigating the bridge in the presence of other – especially larger – vehicles.

 

It was explained to Members that, as agreed, a review of signing had been undertaken and it had been concluded that a ‘variable message sign’ should be suitably placed. Additionally the option of a roadside survey had been explored, however costs of £15,000 per day for this to be undertaken were considered unviable. The option of installing cameras to collect usage data for the bridge to be analysed over a longer period of time was considered as a potentially cheaper alternative. The idea was welcomed by Members.

 

Member discussion points included:

 

  • concern that the problems surrounding the A396 Bickleigh Bridge were going to continue to worsen owing to steadily growing numbers of cars on the road;

 

  • the potential of getting hedges trimmed on the approach to the bridge which would be a cheap way of allowing vehicles more space to manoeuvre on the road;

 

  • the viability of installing a sensitively designed reinforced wall on the approach to the bridge to physically guide larger vehicles to approach on the correct path; and

 

  • queries regarding the foundational stability of the bridge. Members were advised that it undergoes regular inspection and no concerns of the bridge’s stability had been uncovered.

 

Members noted the update.

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10.

A377 Speed Limit by Quickes Farm Shop

(In accordance with Standing Order 23(2) Councillor Squires has requested that the Committee consider this matter)

Decision:

RESOLVED that

 

(a) speed measurements on the road be taken;

 

(b) the proposed changes be considered under the SCARF process; and

 

(c) that a review of signage around Smallbrook be undertaken.

 

Minutes:

(In accordance with Standing Order 23(2) Councillor Squires had requested that the Committee consider this matter)

 

(Councillor G Barnell attended in accordance with Standing Order 25 and spoke in support of the proposals)

 

The Committee considered the issues of traffic speeds and dangerous behaviour on the A377 leading into Newton St Cyres. It was explained to Members that, on the journey towards Newton St Cyres from Crediton, the road includes a sudden change from National Speed Limit to 30mph. It was proposed that a transitional speed limit of 40mph be introduced to slow vehicles coming into Newton St Cyres.

 

Concerns were also raised about confusing signage around the hamlet of Smallbrook.

 

It was MOVED by Councillor Squires, SECONDED by Councillor Cairney and

 

RESOLVED that

 

(a) speed measurements on the road be taken;

 

(b) the proposed changes be considered under the SCARF process; and

 

(c) that a review of signage around Smallbrook be undertaken.

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11.

Delegated Powers pdf icon PDF 111 KB

Minutes:

The Committee noted the Report of the Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste (HIW/22/7) on delegated decisions taken since the last meeting.

 


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