Agenda and minutes

Minutes of the meeting held on 24 July 2017.

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting on 24 July 2017 be signed as a correct record.

Items which in the opinion of the Chair should be considered at the meeting as a matter of urgency.

There was no item raised as a matter of urgency.

Report of the Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste (HIW/17/96).

Electoral Division(s): All in East Devon

(Sergeant Squires attended under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme and spoke to this item advising on the proposed waiting restrictions for The Esplanade, Sidmouth)

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste (HIW/17/96) on the annual local programme for the East Devon area for the funding and delivery of waiting restriction schemes for 2017/18. It was anticipated that approved restrictions would be implemented by the end of the current financial year.

Members discussed the proposals contained within Appendix III of the report which had attracted objections (rather than comments).

Members were reminded that should they submit further proposals relating to their divisions these would be considered as part of next year’s programme which, it was planned, would be submitted to the July meeting of this HATOC. Members also noted that concerns about enforcement should be submitted to the Traffic Management Parking Enforcement Team or reported on line at https://new.devon.gov.uk/roadsandtransport/report-a-problem/

It was MOVED by Councillor Hughes, SECONDED by Councillor Hall and

RESOLVED

(a)  that work on the annual waiting restrictions programme process for 2017/2018 be noted;

(b) that the recommendations contained in Appendix III of Report HIW/17/96 be approved and the proposals implemented where relevant, subject to:

(i) Bedford Square, Sidmouth – that a site meeting with the Local Member and HATOC Vice Chair take place to agree times of operation for the Limited Waiting Restriction.

(c)  that the proposals detailed in Appendix 1 of the Report which attracted no objections be implemented as advertised.

Report of the Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste (HIW/17/70).

Electoral Division(s): All in East Devon

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste (HIW/17/70) on the process for a full review of the traffic sensitive streets network across the County to be completed by 1 April 2018.  When a street was designated ‘Traffic Sensitive’, timings of street works (County Council and utility companies) could be better regulated to ensure free flow of traffic so far as was reasonably practicable (i.e. no works on major roads during peak morning and afternoon traffic flows, or in coastal towns during peak summer season) under powers conferred by the Traffic Management Act 2004/Section 59 New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 to co-ordinate works activities on the road network.

Members’ views on proposed designations could be discussed with the Highways Neighbourhood Team prior to public consultation. Formal consultation with local County Councillors, town and parish councils and the public would be undertaken in March 2018.

[N.B a Review consultation webpage would be published shortly]

RESOLVED that the Council proposals to undertake a full review of the traffic sensitive streets network across the County (with a proposed completion of 1 April 2018) be noted.

Details are awaited from the consultant acting for the developer, to enable a proposed traffic order to be drafted.

The Committee noted the update from the Neighbourhood Highway Group Manager on the waiting restrictions at Albion Hill, Exmouth, and advised that the Highways Team were still continuing discussions with the consultant regarding access to the proposed development, but had yet come to an agreement on a way forward.  Once proposals had been agreed, this would be advertised by a Traffic Regulation Order and if significant objections were received, it would be reported back to a future meeting of this Committee.

Report of the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment (PTE/17/64).

Electoral Division(s): Broadclyst

The Committee received the Report of the Head of Planning, Transformation and Environment (PTE/17/64) on proposals to introduce traffic calming measures and pedestrian/cycle upgrades on Anning Road in Exeter, opened for public access whilst the Tithebarn Link Road was under construction.   In order to encourage the use of the link road and reduce ‘through traffic’ on Anning Road, additional and enhanced traffic calming features were proposed, funded through the Highways England Growth and Housing Fund project. 

It was MOVED by Councillor Hughes, SECONDED by Councillor Hall and

RESOLVED

(a)     that the scheme shown on plan 361072B-01 be approved for construction at an estimated cost of £248,250;

(b)    that traffic calming features be implemented on the public highway as described in the Report, subject to no objections being received to the advertised road humps;

(c) that delegated authority be given to the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment, in consultation with the relevant Local  Member, to approve minor changes to the design scheme.

Report of the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment (PTE/17/65).

Electoral Division(s): Broadclyst

The Committee considered the Report of the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment (PTE/17/65) on improvements to the walking and cycling route along Blackhorse Lane, which would be complementary to neighbouring strategic transport improvements including Tithebarn Link Road, E4 cycle route and the traffic calming proposals for Anning Road.

It was MOVED by Councillor Hughes, SECONDED by Councillor Hall and

RESOLVED

(a)     that proposals shown on plans A17001/14, A17001/18 and A17001/11 be approved for construction at an estimated cost of £205,500;

(b)    that delegated authority be given to the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment, in consultation with the Local Member, to approve minor changes to the design scheme.

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2) Councillors Hughes and Wright requested that the Committee consider this matter.

Report of the Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure and Development (HIW/17/97).

Electoral Division(s): Otter Valley

(PC Steve Lee, Neighbourhood Beat Manager and Hazel Jeffrey, Newton Poppleford Parish Council, attended under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme and spoke to this item)

The Committee considered the Report of the Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure, Development and Waste (HIW/17/97) following local concerns about the record of collisions on Four Elms Hill and requests for a review of the double white line system. The Report noted that this section of A road was listed as 70 out of 144 in terms of its countywide risk ranking (1 is worst performing, 144 is best performing), and has been the location of 8 injury incidents from 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2016.  Factors listed by the Police as contributing to collisions mainly related to the actions of drivers or riders involved in the collisions (70%) half of which (35%) specifically related to driver or rider error.

Members’ questions and comments related to:

·         the difficulty in accurately recording the number of incidents in Four Elms Hill, as many are not reported to the Police;

·         the difficulty of local residents to exit junctions onto the A3052 at Four Elms and on entry into Newton Poppleford, due to fast approaching vehicles;

·         the small bridge on entry into Newton Poppleford from Sidmouth, which also had a bus stop on it, with nowhere for pedestrians to walk, making it extremely dangerous;

·         the potential to reduce the speed limit on Four Elms Hill to 40mph, rather than the national speed limit;

·         the potential use of double white lines all the way down Four Elms Hill to stop dangerous overtaking by vehicles;

·         the undertaking of a survey to assess the existing solid white line system;

·         the use of Rumble Strips and anti-skid measures to reduce the speed of vehicles entering Newton Poppleford.

It was MOVED by Councillor Hughes, SECONDED by Councillor Hall and

RESOLVED

(a)     that the Report be noted;

(b)    that the proposal contained in Section 3 of Report HIW/17/97 be undertaken and that a Report on the potential for amending the Double White Line System on Four Elms Hill be brought to a future meeting of this Committee; and

(c)     that a Report on further measures, including a reduction in the speed limit on Four Elms Hill to 40mph and the use of Rumble Strips into Newton Poppleford, be brought to a future meeting of this Committee.

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

Report of the Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste (HIW/17/98).

Electoral Division(s): Otter Valley

(Janice Papworth, Colaton Raleigh Parish Councillor, attended under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme and spoke to this item)

The Committee received a Report of the Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure, Development and Waste (HIW/17/98) on traffic calming measures in Colaton Raleigh.  In accordance with current policy, a 30mph speed limit was in force through the village, and had been subject to reviews by the Speed Compliance Action Review Forum (SCARF) in 2010 and 2014.  The conclusion of the 2010 review showed that there was no recorded speed related collisions and therefore no further action was taken.  Following the 2014 review, SCARF considered very similar data and it was agreed that the carriageway lining would be altered as part of the surface dressing programme. 

The Report also noted that Colaton Raleigh was recorded by the Environment Agency as a historic flood site and that the introduction of a kerbed footway to the south of Church Road would likely increase the risk of flooding to the highway.

Members’ discussion points with Officers included:

·         Pedestrian safety and a lack of pavements along the main road;

·         No crossing points for school children to use when catching the bus;

·         Fast moving traffic through the village despite being a 30mph limit;

·         The village being split in two and the need for local residents to cross a fast road with no fixed crossing point;

·         The Community Speed Watch data and the need to conduct a further speed survey and a study of options to reduce speed and improve safety in the village.

It was MOVED by Councillor Wright, SECONDED by Councillor Hughes and

RESOLVED that a further speed survey and study of options be conducted to look at possible traffic calming measures including school signage and increased speed signage.

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2) Councillor Scott requested that the Committee consider these matters.

(a)  Exton, Station Road. The Parish Council and residents are asking/requesting traffic control, in particular double yellow lines on Station Road where the play park is situated, with possible engineering to slow traffic.

(b)Pound Lane, Exmouth. Residents and business owners are requesting traffic control at the Brixington Lane end of Pound Lane. The road is extremely busy with mixed use and a combination of residents and businesses. There is some conflict between residents and businesses over who has priority, the requests are not similar. Residents want permits, business want double yellow line. Highways need to do surveys of traffic volumes, speed etc and come up with ideas to resolve the current issue. The section of road with issues is also a bus route.

Electoral Division(s): Exmouth

The items on Station Road, Exton, and Pound Lane, Exmouth, previously submitted by Councillor Scott, were withdrawn.

Report of the Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste (HIW/17/99).

Electoral Division(s): Axminster, Feniton & Honiton, Otter Valley, Seaton & Colyton

The Committee received the Report of the Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure and Waste (HIW/17/99) on action taken by her in consultation with the Chair and Local Members.

 [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-7petition scheme/)

No petition for a parking review from a member of the public relating to East Devon had been received.

16 March, 12 July and 29 November 2018 and 14 March 2019.

The County Council Calendar of meetings available on the website:

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

16 March, 12 July and 29 November 2018 and 14 March 2019.

The County Council Calendar of meetings are available on the website:

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