Agenda, decisions and minutes

NB: In accordance with the County Council’s Constitution, The Chair and Vice Chair must be County Councillors. County and District Councillors may vote.

RESOLVED that Councillors Hughes and Chubb be elected Chair and Vice-Chair respectively for the ensuing year.

RESOLVED that Councillors Hughes and Chubb be elected Chair and Vice-Chair respectively for the ensuing year.

There was no announcement by the Chair.

Members of the Committee will declare any interests they may have in any item to be considered at this meeting, prior to any discussion taking place on that item.

The registrable interests of Councillors of Devon County Council, arising from membership of City, Town or Parish Councils and other Local Authorities will automatically be recorded in the minutes. 

For details of District and or Town and Parish Twin Hatters – please see here:

County councillors who are also district, borough, city, parish or town councillors

Members of the Committee were reminded to declare any interests they may have had in any item to be considered at the meeting, prior to any discussion taking place on that item.

For details of District and/or Town and Parish Twin Hatters – please see here:

County councillors who are also district, borough, city, parish or town councillors

Minutes of the meeting held on 19 April 2024, attached.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 19 April 2024 be signed as a correct record.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 19 April 2024 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 Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport (CET/24/57), attached.

RESOLVED that

(a) the making and sealing of the Traffic Regulation Order on Rydon Lane as advertised be approved; and that

(b) powers be delegated to the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport, in consultation with the Chair of HATOC and the local members, to make minor amendments to the scheme details.

The Committee considered Report of the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport (CET/24/57) regarding the proposal to implement through-traffic restrictions on Rydon Lane which acted as an alternative route between Exton and Woodbury which avoided the B3179. The Report outlined that, despite poor road conditions, it was open to and used by through traffic which impacted negatively on the appeal and safety of the route for pedestrians and cyclists. The proposed implementations would include permitted access for landowners who would be provided with a key to the proposed unlockable bollards.

Members heard that, of the 41 responses received as part of the consultation regarding this proposed Traffic Regulation Order, there were 36 objections including those on the basis that there is an alternative walking route nearby. However officers noted that this land was not owned by Devon County Council and additional funding would be required to make the route fully accessible and, as such, it was considered necessary to shut Rydon Lane for through traffic for the protection of vulnerable road users. Additionally, officers highlighted the legal considerations in the report, specifically regarding section 122 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act and the recommendations as detailed on page 9 of the report, and asked that the Committee consider these recommendations when making their decision on the item.

Councillor Richard Scott, local councillor for the area, was in support of the proposals and commented that the alternative walking route referenced in some objections to the proposals was not suitable.

Members of the Committee were broadly in support of the proposals. Key discussion points between members and officers included:

• Concern around cyclists (including those on electric bikes) and the possibility of harm caused by them to pedestrians and consideration of implementing signage to encourage proper and considerate use of the shared road; and

• Whether, given the concerns around the narrowness of the route, it was appropriate to exclude motorcyclists (which was proposed) given the smaller size of motorcycles compared to cars. It was explained to members that officers had received a number of comments from the public raising concern around the use of motorcycles on the road and that it was considered safer for pedestrians if there were no motor vehicles permitted to use the route (except for resident access) regardless of the type of motor vehicle.

It was MOVED by Councillor Scott, SECONDED by Councillor Trail and

RESOLVED that

(a) the making and sealing of the Traffic Regulation Order on Rydon Lane as advertised be approved; and that

(b) powers be delegated to the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport, in consultation with the Chair of HATOC and the local members, to make minor amendments to the scheme details.

Report of the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport (CET/24/58), attached.

RESOLVED that

(a) the work on the Exmouth Residents Parking Review be noted;

(b) the advertising of the residents parking schemes in the Carter Avenue and Withycombe Road areas, as shown on plans 70101430-WSP-GEN-001 & 70101430- WSP-GEN-002, be approved; and that

(c) powers be delegated to the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport, in consultation with the Chair of HATOC and the local members, to make minor amendments to the scheme details.

The Committee considered the Report of the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport (CET/24/58) which provided an update on the Exmouth Residents Parking Review that had been initiated in 2019, with consultations considered by the Committee in December 2020, and resident parking restrictions implemented in Summer 2023 following approval by the Highways and Traffic Orders Committee in December 2022. The Report reviewed the implemented restrictions and recommended next steps.

Member concern was raised about the length of time that it had taken for restrictions to be implemented and that some of the proposed restrictions were not in line with the understanding of local members following previous discussions with officers.

It was MOVED by Councillor Scott, SECONDED by Councillor Trail and

RESOLVED that

(a) the work on the Exmouth Residents Parking Review be noted;

(b) the advertising of the residents parking schemes in the Carter Avenue and Withycombe Road areas, as shown on plans 70101430-WSP-GEN-001 & 70101430- WSP-GEN-002, be approved; and that

(c) powers be delegated to the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport, in consultation with the Chair of HATOC and the local members, to make minor amendments to the scheme details.

[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.]

There was no petition presented at this meeting.

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

A verbal update has been requested. For background please see minutes of the meeting held 22 July 2022: https://democracy.devon.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=179&MId=4500&Ver=4 (Minute *32 refers)

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

Members received a verbal update on the progress towards the carrying out of a pedestrian demand survey that had been previously agreed by the Committee in its July 2022 meeting (Minute *32 refers). Officers reported that, as a specialist survey, there was limited opportunity to undertake the survey but that a window had been identified in early winter 2024 where it was possible that the survey could take place.

In response to a councillor request regarding receiving a firm commitment on completion of the survey, officers explained that, based on existing resource and funding allocation, October / November 2024 was the earliest identified opportunity to undertake the proposed pedestrian demand survey.

In discussion, officers also clarified that a review of the quality of the existing crossing points in Newton Poppleford was not understood to be part of this survey. Members expressed concern on the quality of the existing crossing points and that further consideration on this point would be desirable. Officers responded that internal conversations already happened with regard to identifying further funding for this, with none currently forthcoming, but that they were willing to revisit those conversations.

Members noted the update.

Update from Committee representative.

Members received an update from the Committee’s Bus Users and Stakeholders (BUS) Forum representative on the most recent meeting of the Forum, drawing particular to a Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) 2 Scheme bid made by Devon; and the updating of bus stops to include real-time service information.

Another member who attended the BUS Forum noted discussion around the 57 and 99 bus routes, and the improved frequency of these buses was commented on at the Highways and Traffic Orders Committee meeting. The 95 bus route was commented on also.

A councillor recommended that attendees at the meeting looked at the Bus Service Improvement Plan which was recently considered by the Devon County Council Cabinet and was pertinent to the subject.

Report of the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport (CET/24/59), attached.

Members noted the Report of the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport (CET/24/59) on actions taken under delegated powers since the last meeting of the Committee.