Agenda and minutes

Minutes of the meeting held on 7 July 2021, (previously circulated).

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 7 July 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.

Report of the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment (PTE/21/42), attached

The Committee considered the Report of the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment (PTE/21/42) on a proposed new path  designed and to be built by the County Council, at an estimated cost of £112,796 (financed by developer contribution) as part of the planning permission in respect of housing developments on Old Torrington Road south of the Crematorium. 

It was MOVED by Councillor P Henderson and SECONDED by Councillor C Leaver and

RESOLVED

(a) that subject to detailed design and stage two road safety audit the proposed footway scheme shown on plan 19792/04C in Appendix 1 be  approved for construction at an estimated cost of £112,796; and

(b) that the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment be given delegated powers, in consultation with the Chair and the local member, to make minor amendments to the scheme details. 

Report of the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment (PTE/21/43), attached

The Committee considered the Report of the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment (PTE/21/43) on a proposed crossing scheme shown on plan 70086553-WSP-HGN-100-DR-01 in Appendix 1 which was a preliminary design that had been subject to a stage one road safety audit and amended.  Further detailed design work was required, including stage a two road safety audit and minor amendments were expected.

The proposal included a staggered pedestrian crossing which would allow the traffic signals on the northbound carriageway (towards Cedars Roundabout) to turn red for a fixed amount of time within a pre-arranged period of time, initially in the morning peak.

An additional officer recommendation was proposed regarding the ‘Wrey Arms’ Junction (plan ‘2161-01-00) for a concept traffic signal scheme at this junction with a likely cost in excess of £1,200,000.

Member discussion points with the Head of Service included:

·         the need for infrastructure / highways improvements in advance of development and the advantages in having proposed schemes available in advance;

·         the on-going development by Officers of a Transport Strategy for the Sticklepath area of Barnstaple; and

·         planning obligations and planned developer and infrastructure within the Local Plan.  

It was MOVED by Councillor F Biederman, and SECONDED by Councillor P Crabb and

RESOLVED

(a) that the public consultation be carried out to seek views on the proposed signalised crossing scheme shown on plan 70086553-WSP-HGN-100-DR-01 in Appendix 1, and;

(b) that subject to public consultation a report be taken to Cabinet at a future date seeking:

(i) the approval for the proposed signalised crossing scheme shown on plan 70086553-WSP-HGN-100-DR-01 in Appendix 1 subject to detailed design, stage two road safety audit, and;

(ii) delegated powers for the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Environment and Transport and relevant local members, to make minor amendments to the scheme design and to progress towards construction.

(c) that approval be given:

(i) to the principle of improving the junction of the A3125 with old Torrington Road (Wrey Arms junction); and

(ii) to further design work being progressed on such an improvement as shown on plan 2161-01-00 or otherwise and; and

(iii) to a report being brought to a future meeting of this Committee regarding the detail of the Scheme; and

(d) that Officers progress work to achieve a link onto the A361 from the ‘Larkbear’ development and Officers note this Committee’s desire for such a link and its essential function. 

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

In accordance with Standing Order 23 (2) Councillor Biederman had asked the Committee to consider safety concerns for pedestrians (young families and children) using the junction to access local amenities. Despite developer requirement for pedestrian access being carried out, the current arrangements he felt were not safe and this view had been reinforced by a  safety audit which had recommended removal of a hedge row to improve  visibility (which might not be permitted).

It was MOVED by Councillor Biederman; and SECONDED by D Knight

RESOLVED that a site meeting comprising the Chair, Vice Chair,  local members, officers from both the County and District Councils and developer representative be arranged and proposals be developed for consideration by this Committee / Cabinet as appropriate.     

Report of the Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste (HIW/21/74), attached

(Councillor J Cann declared a personal interest by virtue of being a Member of the Joint Crematorium Committee)

(Mark Drummond and Douglas Smith attended under the Public Participation Scheme and spoke requesting amendments to the officer recommendation).

(Councillor J Tucker [North Devon District Council] attended in accordance with Standing Order 25 and spoke on the need for a resolution of this matter).

The Committee considered Report of the Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste (HIW/21/74) on the relocation of prohibition of motor vehicles (bus gate) on Gratton Way to Old Torrington Road to better manage traffic in the area which had been approved at the last meeting as had been advertised, subject to further consideration by this committee on the proposed operating times of the new bus gate.

A large housing development (Larkbear) was being constructed between Old Torrington Road and the A361 in several phases.  So far, planning permission has been granted for over 200 new homes, with the potential for more to be constructed in the future.  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.

After further consideration by Officers, it was proposed that the bus gate should be applied at all times.  This would provide a clear restriction, with no ambiguity, that the public would understand.

A part time bus gate was considered by Officers to be more likely to be abused and generate confusion for those accessing properties south of the new bus gate.

Councillor C Leaver MOVED, and SECONDED by D Knight that the Bus Gate be implemented on Old Torrington Road and be applied at all times.

The Motion was subsequently amended as detailed below.  

Councillor Henderson MOVED an amendment (in response to the Motion detailed below), seconded by Councillor Yabsley ‘that the Bus Gate be built in Old Torrington Road (as detailed on the Plan) and not implemented pending proposed residential developments in the area and monitoring of traffic movements and their impacts’. The amendment was put to the vote and declared LOST. 

It was MOVED by Councillor P Crabb, SECONDED by Councillor J Yabsley  and

RESOLVED that a Bus Gate in Old Torrington Road (as detailed on the Plan attached to the Report) be implemented subject to:

(a) all traffic being permitted to travel southbound through the bus gate and Officers further investigate a proposal for an exemption for motorcyclists northbound;

(b) additional traffic calming measures being investigated for Old Torrington Road, north of the bus gate; and

(c) monitoring of the impact of the implementation of the above over a period of 12 months and for report to a future meeting of this Committee.   

?

[N.B. In accordance with Standing Order 32(4) Councillors Knight, Leaver and Spear requested that their vote against the decision taken be recorded; that the vote of Councillors Biederman, Cann, Crabb, Henderson and Yabsley for the decision taken be recorded; and that of Councillor  ...  view the full minutes text for item 16.

Report of the Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste (HIW/21/75), attached

The Committee noted the Report of the Chief Officer for Highways

Infrastructure, Development and Waste (HIW/21/75) on delegated decisions

taken since the last meeting.

14 March, 27 June, and 16 November 2022 and 8 February 2023

Confirmation of dates published in the County Council’s website: Browse meetings - North Devon Highways and Traffic Orders Committee - Democracy in Devon

14 March 2022, 27 June and 16 November and 8 February 2023.

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