Agenda and minutes

In accordance with the County Council’s Constitution, the Chair and Vice  Chair must be County Councillors.

RESOLVED that Councillor J Yabsley be elected Chair and Councillor F Biederman be elected Vice Chair for the ensuing year.

Minutes of the meeting held on 3 March 2021, attached.

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 3 March 2021 be

signed as a correct record.

Item 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.

Presentation by the Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste on the Workings of the Committee (Powerpoint presentation attached).

The Committee received a presentation from the Head of Highways,

Infrastructure Development and Waste on the workings of the Committee. The

presentation covered the Committee’s Constitution; its Terms of Reference;

and Scheme of Delegation.

Officers answered Members’ questions on ‘gateway orders’ (on which further information would be provided), obstruction and safety maintenance of the highway (including footpaths). Officers also explained the processes involved with the Waiting Restrictions (Traffic Regulations Orders) Programme with annual consideration by the Committee and regular discussion with local members as necessary. There was ongoing discussion between senior officers and the Cabinet Member about extending the period of review from one to two years because of the intense resource requirements and level of demands across the County.   

The designated local Neighbourhood Highways Officers were a good point of

contact for Members on all highway matters and issues or concerns should also be reported via the County Council’s website: Report a problem - Roads and transport (devon.gov.uk)

Parking enforcement matters could also be directed to the Civil Enforcement Officers’ (CEOs) via the designated e-mail box.

Members discussed the resource intensive requirements (both in terms of officers’ time and lengthy administrative and legal processes) relating to the Waiting Restrictions Programme, residents’ parking reviews and enforcement for example. Members also referred to the opportunities for  working with the District Councils and the Devon and Cornwall Constabulary on enforcement, which could be a future topic for Scrutiny.   

The Committee expressed its concern about the need for adequate resourcing by the Cabinet for the Waiting Restrictions Programme, and local Neighbourhood Highways Teams and Civil Enforcement Officers (CEOs) across the County Council area in view of the level of demands.  

Report of the Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste (HIW/21/38), attached.

The Committee considered the Report of the Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste (HIW/21/38) on proposed new waiting restrictions which had been advertised around the new junction with North Road on Mole Ridge Way, South Molton, as part of a new residential development.

The proposed restrictions had been advertised between the 25 March until 29 April 2021 and 4 representations (objections) had been received and a summary of theses and the Officers’ response were detailed in Appendix I of the Report. The Report also outlined the options and alternatives available, the legal considerations and the environmental and other impacts.

The local Members expressed the view that more restrictive parking was  required rather than the ones currently proposed.    

It was MOVED by Councillor J Yabsley and SECONDED by Councillor A Davis and

RESOLVED

(a) that the current proposed Traffic Regulation Order for Mole Ridge Way be not approved; and

(b) that a further review be initiated to include ‘no waiting at any time’ up to and around the junction, details to be approved by the Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste in consultation with the local Member and Vice Chair for advertisement and the Traffic Regulation Order be sealed if no significant objections are received.  

Report of the Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste (HIW/21/39), attached

The Committee considered the Report of the Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste (HIW/21/39) on the results of the public consultation on the possible introduction of a residents parking scheme in Instow.

Following contact from local residents and discussions with the local County Councillor, proposals were drawn up to introduce residents parking restrictions in the Lane End Road area of Instow, as shown on the plan in Appendix I of the Report.

The Report considered the responses submitted and made recommendations on the next steps. The consultations had taken place from 29 April until 3 June 2021 and households were sent details of how a residents parking scheme would work and they had been invited to respond.

The Report included a summary of the responses and the Officers’ response in Appendix II.

After consideration of the responses, shown in Appendix II, it was Officers’ view that the restrictions should implemented as advertised.  However, due to concern raised about the properties eligible to apply for permits, it was also  recommended that the list of eligible addresses should be reviewed prior to the scheme going live. Any changes to the addresses would then be notified to those affected properties.

It was MOVED by Councillor F Biederman, SECONDED by Councillor A Davis, and

RESOLVED

(a) that the results of the consultations be noted; and

(b) that the residents parking scheme in Instow be implemented, subject to the list of properties eligible for permits being reviewed by the local County Councillor and Chair prior to the Traffic Order being made and sealed.

Report of the Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste (HIW/21/40), attached

(Councillor A Davis declared a prejudicial interest by virtue of being a Member of the Joint Crematorium Committee, which would be affected by the proposal, and left the meeting for the duration of its consideration and Councillor J Cann declared a personal interest)

(Michelle Ward and Christopher Northrop attended under the Public Participation Scheme and they spoke in support and against the proposal respectively).

(Councillor Lofthouse [North Devon District Council] attended in accordance with Standing Order 25 and spoke in support of the proposal).

The Committee considered the Report of the Chief Officer for Highways, infrastructure Development and Waste (HIW/21/40) on the proposed relocation of the prohibition motor vehicles Bus Gate on Gratton Way to Old Torrington Road to better manage traffic in the area as part of the new housing developments in Larkbear. 

As part of the development it had been proposed to change the route motor vehicles use to access the southern part of Old Torrington Road.

Currently there was an existing prohibition (bus gate) in Gratton Way which had been operated by a rising bollard system (now defunct and not enforced).  The proposed traffic orders sought to revoke this and introduce a new bus gate on Old Torrington Road, to the north of the junction with Gratton Way, which would be enforced by cameras.  This meant that traffic would be directed through Gratton Way to the new development, the crematorium and properties at the southern end of Old Torrington Road instead of from Bickington Road (A3125).  This would help better manage traffic in the area and reduce congestion due to the new housing development.

The proposals had been advertised from 13 May – 17 June 2021 with notices on site, on the County Council’s website and in the local press.  Postcards informing residents of the proposals had been sent to nearby properties.

?

In total 224 responses were received, of which 174 were in favour and 47 objected.

A full summary of the comments submitted and the Officers’ responses were detailed in Appendix II of the Report.

The Report also outlined the alternatives available. Officers responded to Members’ questions relating to the traffic management and enforcement implications of the alternatives available both in the shorter and longer term dependent on the level of residential development, financing of the proposal via developer S106 contribution, and the need for further consideration of the times of operation of the proposed new bus gate.

It was MOVED by Councillor C Leaver, SECONDED by Councillor D Knight and

RESOLVED

(a) that the comments to the proposed traffic orders be noted;

(b) that the proposed Bus Gate and waiting restrictions on Old Torrington Road be implemented as advertised and the Traffic Regulation Orders be made and sealed subject to and following (i) further consideration by this Committee on the proposed operating times of the new Bus Gate; and (ii) if necessary a special meeting of this Committee be convened at the appropriate time to consider the proposed operating times;

(c) that the existing prohibition  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

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

Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment to report

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2) Councillor F Biederman had requested that the Committee consider this matter on the need for remedies to address safety concerns.

Councillor Biederman reported that the issues relating to speed of approaching traffic and access by pedestrians were now being addressed by the Officers with local members and with potential developer funding contributions.

Report of the Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste (HIW/21/41), attached

The Committee noted the Report of the Chief Officer for Highways Infrastructure, Development and Waste (HIW/21/141) on delegated decisions taken since the last meeting

22 November 2021 and 14 March 2022

[N.B. Confirmation of dates of meetings available at:  Browse meetings - North Devon Highways and Traffic Orders Committee - Democracy in Devon]

22 November 2021 and 14 March 2022

[N.B. Confirmation of dates of meetings available at:

Browse Meetings, 2000 - Democracy in Devon]