Agenda and minutes

Minutes of the meeting held on 19 July 2021 (previously circulated).

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Meetings held on 19 July 2021 be

signed as a correct record

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

No item was raised as a matter of urgency.

[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/].

The Chair received a petition from Councillor P Holland objecting to a bus gate in Thornpike Rise, Exeter as it would increase journey times for local residents,  with a total of approximately 199 signatories.

The Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment would respond to Councillor Holland within 15 working days.

Mr M Watson, Managing Director, Stagecoach South West, attended (remotely) and spoke at the invitation of the Committee on developments

affecting bus services and the network in and around Exeter.

Mr Watson reported that the planned industrial action that day had been postponed by the RMT union pending formal and imminent agreement on significantly improved pay and conditions for stagecoach drivers. This would help address the driver shortages within the Company and help ensure good levels of service. 

Mr Watson responded to Members’ questions as follows:

·         Stagecoach’s commitment to ensure the safety and welfare of its drivers with clear notices for passengers,  use of CCTV and voice recording on some buses, and training to help avoid conflict and reduce confrontation; 

·         the County Council’s liaison with Stagecoach as a key partner on the Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) for the area which could result in additional resources of up to £32 million on which further public consultation would take place during November – January 2022 following announcement of the Government allocation; and BSIP development proposals would relate to bus frequency within key corridors/routes across Devon, off-peak and rural services, and multi modal ticketing for example;

·         in terms of accuracy of information for passengers the Company App and Website were good sources of real time data linking with the telematic technology on all buses and any cancellation would normally be reported on the app and website with 24 Hours’ notice; and delays were usually as a result of congestions and road works etc; and

·         the Company would also look at the system to see if there was any manual overwrites to make better use of the bus station PA system.

The Chair thanked Mr Watson for his attendance and answers to Members’

questions.

Report of the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment (PTE/21/35), attached

The Committee considered the Report of the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment (PTE/21/35) on an update on Clear Channel’s progress with bus shelter replacement installations.  It also included a possible priority list for additional shelters - those free under the contract plus those purchased from the County Council’s digital revenue share. The current programme, subject to County Highways approval, was  attached as an appendix and officers reported on the updated list. 

The Chair had met with officers and agreed a recommended priority list of shelters to be acquired either as free shelters under the terms of the contract or purchased from the County Council’s share of digital revenue. 

Local members’ comments and discussion points with officers included:

·         a request for the prompt replacement of the shelter in Queen Street/Union Road which had been damaged as a result of a road traffic collision;

·         report back on Clear Channel’s application for categorisation as a ‘statutory undertaking,’ which, through the use of more automated systems, would simplify the highway approval process for shelter installations; and

·         further consideration of priority for shelters in Gloucester Road, and Exwick/Foxhayes near the health centre.

It was MOVED by Councillor Y Atkinson and SECONDED by Councillor C Whitton and

RESOLVED that the progress with pursuing the bus shelter installation programme be noted and subject to consideration of the above requests the priority list for additional shelters - those free under the contract plus those purchased from the County Council’s digital revenue share be agreed.

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2) Councillor P Holland has asked that the Committee consider this matter.

(An item raised by Councillor P Holland in accordance with Standing Order 23(2))

Councillor Holland reported his views in regard to the traffic calming, pedestrianisation and cycle schemes which had been approved or were subject to review by this Committee. He highlighted the consultation process including the importance of consultation with key partners such as hackney carriage associations and companies and including the Post Office for example, the benefits of the schemes and the significant disbenefits and un- intended consequences.

In response the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment reported on the informal and statutory consultation processes, the approved Exeter Transport Strategy and consequent approval of strategic cycle routes, the benefits of cycling and walking, traffic volume data as a result of the schemes, use of the ‘pop up’ E9 route and the Government view and policies and alignment with adopted local and national policies.   

Presentation by the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment

The Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment reported on an update on the consultation which had recently closed, the proposed next steps which involved a review of the individual comments received, identification of preferred requirements. 

Members’ discussion points with the officers included:

·         cognisance of the needs of disabled pedestrians including those with visual impairment and reference to the Clear Street Charter;

·         the safety audit requirement undertaken on the temporary proposals;

·         informal and formal statutory consultation arrangements which included provision for non ‘on-line’ access; and   

·         cognisance of the safety issues for College students in the area and consideration of more permanent planters from wood to brick/concrete (provision and maintenance of the planters were supported by local businesses).

There would now follow further consultation with the Chair and Local County Council Member by the Head of Service on the next steps and if applicable the advertisement of a Traffic Regulation Order and report to a future meeting, in line with the resolutions agreed at the last meeting of this Committee.

The current position and proposed next steps were noted by the Committee.

Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment to report.

The Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment reported on the consultation response (approximately 1300 separate representations) on proposed Sweetbrier Lane/Whipton Lane roundabout arrangements, and Whipton Lane/Georges Close and Sweetbrier Lane traffic calming measures.

It was MOVED by Councillor D Barnes, SECONDED by Councillor M Asvachin and

RESOLVED

(a) that advertisement be approved for

(i) Road humps on Sweetbrier Lane on the northbound and southbound approaches to Whipton Lane/Sweetbrier Lane roundabout;

(ii) Road hump on Whipton Lane; and

(iii) a Traffic Regulation Order for double yellow lines on Whipton Lane

(b) that a decision on constructing any of the above schemes be presented to a future meeting of this Committee.

Report of the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment (PTE/21/36), attached  

The Committee considered the Report of the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment (PTE/21/36) on a new two-way (bidirectional) cycle route which had been completed on Sweetbrier Lane.  The scheme had opened in August 2021 and has been delivered as part of the County Council’s Tranche 2 Active Travel Fund measures.

A significant amount of feedback on the changes had been received. In response to this feedback the next steps were being brought to this Committee review.

Members’ and Officer discussion points included:

·         further representations from two Exeter City Councillors referring to safety concerns, the need for an independent safety audit, questions about the period for monitoring and the need for further local consultation/meetings;

·         the independence of the current safety audit arrangements in place for all schemes; and

·         the support from the local Member and the value of further monitoring (timescale to be agreed) and consideration of additional signing at the side roads.    

It was MOVED by Councillor D Barnes and SECONDED by P Prowse and  

RESOLVED

(a) that despite some concerns from residents no changes be made to the current layout and that the situation be monitored and if problems with the location of parked vehicles persist then options be considered and progressed; and

(b) that any future amendments to the scheme be referred to this Committee for approval.

Report of the Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste (HIW/21/61), attached

The Committee considered the Report of the Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste (HIW/2161) on a request for  an application for a stopping up order under the Highways Act 1980 in relation to a part of the public highway adjacent to Millbrook Lane, Exeter as shown on the drawing attached at Appendix 1 of the Report.

It was MOVED by Councillor A Leadbetter, SECONDED by Councillor Y Atkinson and

RESOLVED that subject to further consultation with Western Power Distribution, the Chair and the local County Councillor:

(a) the extent of highway land adjacent to Millbrook Lane, Exeter, as detailed in Appendix I, be agreed is not needed for public use; and

(b) the Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste be authorised to make an application on behalf of Devon County Council, to the magistrates’ court for an order under Section 116 of the Highways Act 1980 that the said highway land be stopped up.

Report of the Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste (HIW/21/62), attached  

The Committee considered the Report of the Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste (HIW/21/61) on request for an application under the Highways Act 1980 for a stopping-up of part of the public highway adjacent to Woodwater Lane, Exeter as shown on the drawing attached at Appendix I of the Report.

It was MOVED by Councillor M Asvachin, SECONDED by Councillor Y Atkinson and

RESOLVED that subject to further consultation with Western Power Distribution and the Chair and local County Councillor

(a)  the extent of highway land adjacent to Woodwater Lane, Exeter, as detailed in Appendix I, be agreed is not needed for public use; and

(b) the Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste be authorised, to make an application on behalf of Devon County Council, to the magistrates’ court for an order under Section 116 of the Highways Act 1980 that the said highway land be stopped up.

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2) Councillor Y Atkinson has asked that the Committee consider this matter and is made aware of this offer.by Vision Zero SW.

Is there a road safety issue in your neighbourhood? Could it be fixed with a relatively small amount of funding?

The Vision Zero South West road safety partnership is launching its ‘Call For Ideas’ in communities across Devon and Cornwall.

We have a total funding pot of £100,000 to support community-led road safety initiatives that will make a real difference to local communities.

For more details on this scheme, or to apply, visit: https://visionzerosouthwest.co.uk/call-for-ideas/

(In accordance with Standing Order 23(2) Councillor Y Atkinson had asked that the Committee consider this matter and is made aware of this offer).

The Committee noted an offer by Vision Zero SW the details of which were as follows:

Is there a road safety issue in your neighbourhood? Could it be fixed with a relatively small amount of funding? The Vision Zero South West road safety partnership is launching its ‘Call For Ideas’ in communities across Devon and Cornwall. We have a total funding pot of £100,000 to support community-led road safety initiatives that will make a real difference to local communities.

For more details on this scheme, or to apply, visit: https://visionzerosouthwest.co.uk/call-for-ideas

Report of the Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste (HIW/21/63), attached  

The Committee noted the Report of the Chief Officer for Highways,

Infrastructure Development and Waste (HIW/21/63) on actions taken under

delegated powers.

17 January 2022, 6 May 2022, 15 July 2022, 14 October 2022, 16 January 2023; and 21 April 2023 (start times to be confirmed).

Up-to-date information on dates available on-line at:

Monthly meetings calendar - October 2021 - Democracy in Devon

17 January 2022, 6 May 2022, 15 July 2022, 14 October 2022, 16 January 2023; and 21 April 2023 (all to start at 10.30 am).

Up-to-date information on dates available on-line at:

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