Skip to content

Agenda and minutes

Venue: County Hall, Exeter

Contact: Gerry Rufolo, 01392 382299  Email: gerry.rufolo@devon.gov.uk

Items
Note No. Item

*

18.

Election of Chairman and Vice Chairman

 

In accordance with the Council’s Constitution the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of this Committee must be a County Councillor.

Minutes:

RESOLVED that Councillor Hannaford be elected Chairman and Councillor Owen be elected Vice Chairman for the ensuing year.

*

19.

Minutes

Minutes of the meeting held on 19 April 2016 (previously circulated).

Minutes:

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 19 April 2016 be signed as a correct record.

*

20.

Matter of Urgency: Thurlow Road, Exeter

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

Minutes:

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

                 

The Chairman had decided that the Committee should consider this item at the request of Councillor Westlake in relation to emergency utility road works in Thurlow Road, resulting in its closure for 6 weeks impacting on local shop revenues. He enquired about the procedure for planned and emergency road works. 

 

The Neighbourhood Highway Group Manager undertook to investigate the matter and report back to the local County Councillor.  

21.

Bus Services in Exeter

Bus and Coach Operators to answer Members’ questions

Minutes:

Mr Williams, Commercial Director and Mrs Scant, Operations Manager 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 and, in particular on:

 

·         on-going preparation for the relocation of the Depot (comprising Headquarter offices, maintenance workshops, and overnight bus parking) to the Matford site for the end of September;

·         minor service development from 4 September and after the re-location empty evening buses routed to the High Street will divert to Matford.

 

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

 

·         the delay in the planned installation of a new Bus Shelter for the top of South Street which was due to take place next Month, noting this was the responsibility of the County Council and its contractor

·         after the recent success of the use of P&R tickets after hours on local services (when the P&R was not operational) Mr Williams agreed Stagecoach would consider promotion of this up to and during the Christmas holiday period; 

·         robustness of Stagecoach’s procedures to ensure that all drivers were properly checked and qualified;

·         the need to minimise engine idling times at stops (particularly the High Street) and measures used by Stagecoach to do this through their monitoring systems and instruction to drivers which they will now repeat.   

 

The Chairman also reminded members that they could approach Stagecoach directly about any local service issues. The Chairman thanked the Stagecoach representatives on the updates and responses to Members’ questions. 

 

*

22.

Parking Issues Rosebarn Lane, Doriam Close, Patricia Close, Argyle Road, Upper Pennsylvania Road, and Upper Stoke Valley Road

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2) Councillor Prowse has requested that the

 

Committee consider this matter.

Minutes:

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

 

(Councillor Holland (Exeter City Council) attended in accordance with Standing Order 25(2) and spoke to this item).

 

The Chairman was presented by Councillor Prowse with a petition organised by the local residents from Doriam Close, Exeter containing 25 signatures seeking parking restrictions in the area.

 

The local City and County Councillors referred to residents’ concerns about future university accommodation being planned (some 1320 units within the campus) and the potential impact on parking by students/staff on local roads, increased congestion and safety issues.  

 

The Council was aware of the potential expansion of student accommodation which could offer the opportunity to revisit and consider residents parking and early discussion was underway by County Council officers.   Members also referred to the production by the University of a revised Green Travel Plan and initiatives adopted by other Universities (with local authorities) to mitigate student/staff parking impacts on local roads. 

 

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

 

RESOLVED that the University of Exeter be invited to the next meeting to present their  Green Travel Plan and that copies of the revised draft plan be circulated to Members, when available. 

*

23.

Exeter Residents Parking pdf icon PDF 7 MB

Report of the Head of Highways, Capital Development and Waste (HCW/16/55), attached.

Minutes:

(Councillors Westlake and Bull each declared a disclosable pecuniary interest by virtue of being residents in roads affected by the proposals for residents’ parking charges and withdrew from the meeting for consideration and vote on this item and Councillor Harvey declared a personal interest by virtue of his rental of an allotment by roads affected by the proposals).

 

(Councillor Denham (Exeter City Council) attended in accordance with Standing Order 25(2) and spoke to this item).

 

The Committee considered the Report of the Head of Highways, Capital Development & Waste (HCW/16/55)on the responses to the statutory consultation on proposed traffic regulation orders in a number of priority areas previously identified by the Committee and local County Councillors. 

 

It was MOVED by Councillor Hannaford, SECONDED by Councillor Hannan and

 

RESOLVED

 

(a) that the results of the statutory consultation be noted;

 

(b) that the restrictions be implemented as detailed in section 3 and appendix 3 of Report HCW/16/55 subject to the following:

 

            (i) the level of use of Pay and Display in Whipton Lane (Zone N) be monitored by            officers;  

 

            (ii) by the lower part of Roseland Avenue (Zone N) erection of a ‘No Through Road’         sign in place of the current ‘Access Only’ sign;

 

            (iii) the revocation of No Waiting At Any Time in Lower Avenue and revocation of No        Waiting and new No Waiting At Any Time in Ladysmith Road be subject to further      consultation with the local County Councillor;

 

and the associated traffic regulation orders be made and sealed;

 

(c) that those areas that have not been progressed following this consultation process would not normally be considered again for residents parking for 3 years and then only if this Committee considered the area to be the highest priority as part of the ongoing review of future residents parking schemes.

*

24.

Petitions/Parking Policy Reviews

[An item to be taken under s18 of the Traffic management Act 2004 relating to any reviews of parking policy sought in line with the Council’s Petition Scheme (https://new.devon.gov.uk/democracy/guide/constitutionparts2-4/part-4-section-7-patition-scheme/].

Minutes:

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

*

25.

High Street and Footway Maintenance pdf icon PDF 3 MB

Report of the Head of Highways, Capital Development and Waste (HCW/16/56), attached

Minutes:

The Committee received the Report of the Head of Highways, Capital Development & Waste (HCW/16/56) on High Street footway maintenance and programmed works in June and September at sites detailed in the Report with costs to be met from the County’s Road Highway Maintenance Capital Budget.

*

26.

Road Safety Issues at Stoke Hill Junior, Infants and Nursery Schools

Head of Highways, Capital Development and Waste to report.

Minutes:

The Head of Highways, Capital Development and Waste reported that, following concerns by the local County Councillor, Road Safety Officers had met with the Schools and a number of safety issues had been identified and the following actions agreed:

 

·         the Schools: to increase awareness of parents/carers regarding the consequences of inconsiderate parking, additional signs on the School premises to alert drivers, encourage the wearing of high visibility clothing, and recruit volunteers as additional School patrol officers;

·         the County Council: to remark the zebra crossing, clean signs and beacons and trim vegetation as necessary.  

 

A speed survey indicated good compliance with the existing 30 mph limit and that it was not suitable for a 20 mph limit without speed reduction measures for which no funding had been identified.

 

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

 

RESOLVED that the actions identified above by the Schools and County Council be endorsed.  

 

*

27.

Wayside Crescent: Adoption

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2) Councillor Foggin has requested that the

Committee consider this matter.

 

Minutes:

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2) Councillor Foggin had requested that the Committee

consider action in relation to the poor state of the road.

 

The Neighbourhood Group Manager reported that the road (beyond Bowring Close) was not public highway and current ownership either by the City Council or County Council was unclear. He undertook to investigate further and report to the next meeting.

 

 

 

*

28.

Update on the Operation of the Parking Dispensation Scheme

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2) Councillor Prowse has requested that the

Committee consider this matter.

Minutes:

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2) Councillor Prowse had requested that the Committee receive an update on the operation of the Scheme.

 

The Head of Highways, Capital Development and Waste reported that the new Dispensation service, in its first 6 months was operating successfully in Exeter. The following applications had been approved: 970 “Annual Permits”, 20 “Short Stay Permit” booklets, 1122 site specific “Permits” (these ranged from stays of 1 to 21 days and covered restrictions such as yellow lines, loading bays, and areas of pay & display parking).

 

The service had been well received by contractors and there appeared to be a good level of awareness. No complaints had been received and the Operations Team had not observed abuse of the system.

*

29.

Update on Ide/Alphington Park and Ride

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2) Councillor Owen has requested that the

Committee consider this matter.

Minutes:

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2) Councillor Owen had requested that the Committee

receive an update on the current position.

 

The Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment reported that following the formal withdrawal of the application by the County Council he was addressing outstanding issues with Highways England, the local Parish Council and others. After a pre-application process a formal application would be made in due course for the Ide site for 550 spaces which modelling had shown was the optimum size for the location and as part of a range of measures to mitigate congestion along the Alphington Road corridor. He would keep local County Councillors informed.

 

 

*

30.

Paris Street: Proposed stopping Up and or Prohibition of Motor Vehicles Orders

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2) Councillor Prowse has requested that the

Committee consider this matter.

Minutes:

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2) Councillor Prowse had requested that the Committee consider the proposed stopping-up.

 

The Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment reported on the work of the local ‘project board’ and acknowledged the need to keep local County Councillors informed of progress and proposals. He outlined the legal options and processes for stopping-up the highway (for that part of Paris Street affected) and undertook to provide a more detailed written summary for Members, including information about the objection procedure. 

 

*

31.

Highways Safety Policy (Cabinet Minute *403/14 October 2015)

To note the following reference from Cabinet for information. Report HCW/16/39 can be

found at: http://democracy.devon.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=133&MId=160&Ver=4

 

“(a) that the Highway Safety Policy set out in Appendix A to Report HCW/16/39 be approved and the Head of Highways, Capital Development & Waste be authorised, in

consultation with the County Solicitor and the Cabinet Member for Highway Management and Flood Prevention, to approve further minor amendments to the Highway Safety Inspection Policy prior to the next full review in September 2018;

 

(b) that Highways & Traffic Order Committees be made aware of the revised operational policy.”

 

 

Minutes:

The Committee noted that Cabinet on 14 October had resolved:

 

“(a) that the Highway Safety Policy set out in Appendix A to Report HCW/16/39 be approved and the Head of Highways, Capital Development & Waste be authorised, in consultation with the County Solicitor and the Cabinet Member for Highway Management and Flood prevention, to approve further minor amendments to the Highway Safety Inspection Policy prior to the next full review in September 2018;

 

(b) that Highways & Traffic Order Committees be made aware of the revised operational policy.”

 

The Neighbourhood Highways Group Manager undertook to provide a written summary of the key changes to the Highway Safety Inspection Policy.

*

32.

Actions Taken Under Delegated Powers pdf icon PDF 61 KB

Report of the Head of Highways, Capital Development and Waste (HCW/16/57), attached

Minutes:

The Committee received the report of the Head of Highways, Capital Development and Waste

(HCW/16/57) on actions taken by him in respect of Traffic Orders under delegated powers since the last meeting.

*

33.

Dates of Meetings

14 November 2016; 17 January and 25 April 2017.

 

Note: Dates of County Council meetings available at:

http://democracy.devon.gov.uk/mgCalendarMonthView.aspx?GL=1&bcr=1

 

Minutes:

14 November 2016; 17 January and 25 April 2017.

 

Note: The County Council calendar of meetings is available at:

http://democracy.devon.gov.uk/mgCalendarMonthView.aspx?GL=1&bcr=1


Top