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Agenda, decisions and minutes

Venue: Follaton House, Plymouth Road

Contact: Fiona Rutley 01392 382305  Email: fiona.rutley@devon.gov.uk

Items
Note No. Item

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25.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 121 KB

Minutes of the meeting held on 4 November 2023, attached

Decision:

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 4 November 2022 be signed as a correct record.

Minutes:

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 4 November 2022 be signed as a correct record.

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26.

Totnes, the Lamb - Request for Pedestrian Crossing (4 November 2022, Minute *22) pdf icon PDF 101 KB

Report of the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport (CET/23/6), attached.

 

Electoral Division:  Totnes & Dartington

 

Decision:

It was MOVED by Councillor Hodgson and SECONDED by Councillor Thomas and RESOLVED:

 

that the request for a pedestrian crossing at The Lamb, Totnes be supported, subject to Totnes Town Council’s confirmation that this was a community priority and if community funding was confirmed.

Minutes:

(Ms Carnt, a member of the public, spoke in favour of a pedestrian crossing at this location, with the consent of the Committee).

 

The Committee considered the Report of the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport (CET/23/6) following the Committee’s request for further information on a formal process to consider community scheme requests.  

 

Whilst survey data indicated that a crossing would not be a priority at The Lamb location, the County Council was looking at providing a mechanism to allow schemes funded by local communities to progress.  The community would be responsible for funding the full cost of the project including safety audit.  There was no guarantee that the proposal would be implemented (e.g. if the safety audit process was not satisfied).  The Lamb proposal had had an initial safety appraisal (Appendix 1 of the Report).

 

Whilst the local County Councillor considered that this Committee had not refused or agreed to fund a crossing at The Lamb, other HATOC Members were clear that given the number of other locations across the county which met DCC and national criteria for casualty reduction/safety schemes but required funding and given the current serious financial position of the County Council, they could not justify supporting DCC funding for The Lamb.

 

Members however would support a simple, formal process (including financial and contractual liability guidance) for Parish/Town Councils who had alternative full cost funding to progress schemes.

 

It was MOVED by Councillor Hodgson and SECONDED by Councillor Thomas and RESOLVED:

 

that the request for a pedestrian crossing at The Lamb, Totnes be supported, subject to Totnes Town Council’s confirmation that this was a community priority and if community funding was confirmed.

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27.

Traffic Sensitive Routes Review pdf icon PDF 101 KB

Report of the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport (CET/23/2), attached.

 

Electoral Divisions:  All

 

Decision:

It was MOVED by Councillor Gilbert and SECONDED by Councillor Croad and RESOLVED:  

 

that Devon’s proposed full review of traffic sensitive streets network across the county be noted (as well as the discussion point above).

Minutes:

The Committee received the Report of the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport (CET/23/2) on a review of the traffic sensitive streets network across the County, to aid network and roadworks management, aiming to keep traffic flowing and thus reducing idling traffic in accordance with carbon plan objectives. The five yearly review would also ensure compliance with statutory changes and strict Department of Transport criteria.

 

When a street was designated ‘Traffic Sensitive,’ timings of works could be better regulated to ensure the free flow of traffic so far as reasonably practicable through the council’s Permit for Works Scheme, e.g. restricting works during peak traffic flow times.

 

Arising from Members’ discussion, it was noted that:-

 

-winter gritting routes were identified according to specific criteria, earlier notice could be given to Parish Councils of any deadline dates by which they could submit any comments.

 

It was MOVED by Councillor Gilbert and SECONDED by Councillor Croad and RESOLVED:  

 

that Devon’s proposed full review of traffic sensitive streets network across the county be noted (as well as the discussion point above).

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28.

Bus Users and Stakeholders (BUS) Forum

A Bus Users and Stakeholders (BUS) Forum has been established by Devon Bus Enhanced Partnership Board under the new Enhanced Partnership arrangements (more information on the Travel Devon website: DevonBus Enhanced Partnership - Travel Devon)

 

This would be an opportunity to share information, receive feedback and discuss relevant issues amongst stakeholder representatives. The Board has agreed that one representative from each Highways and Traffic Orders Committee (8 in total) should be appointed to the Forum to help ensure adequate geographical representation of elected Members. Other key stakeholders and interested parties will be invited to join the Forum.

 

The date of the first meeting of the Forum is 9 February 2023. The Forum will meet 3 times a year.

 

RECOMMENDED that a representative from this Committee be appointed.

 

Decision:

It was MOVED by Councillor Croad and SECONDED by Councillor Hawkins and RESOLVED:

 

that Councillor Hodgson be appointed to represent this Committee on the Bus Users and Stakeholders (BUS) Forum.

Minutes:

A Bus Users and Stakeholders (BUS) Forum had been established by Devon Bus Enhanced Partnership Board under the new Enhanced Partnership arrangements (more information on the Travel Devon website: DevonBus Enhanced Partnership - Travel Devon)

 

This would be an opportunity to share information, receive feedback and discuss relevant issues amongst stakeholder representatives. The Board had agreed that one representative from each Highways and Traffic Orders Committee (8 in total) should be appointed to the Forum to help ensure adequate geographical representation of elected Members. Other key stakeholders and interested parties would be invited to join the Forum.

 

The date of the first meeting of the Forum was 9 February 2023. The Forum would meet 3 times a year.

 

It was MOVED by Councillor Croad and SECONDED by Councillor Hawkins and RESOLVED:

 

that Councillor Hodgson be appointed to represent this Committee on the Bus Users and Stakeholders (BUS) Forum.

29.

A3121 in Ermington - Request for reduction in speed limit to 30mph

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

 

The Councillor is requesting a departure from policy to revoke the existing 40mph TRO on the A3121 in Ermington. This would lower the majority of the stretch to 30mph by virtue of an existing system of street lighting. The remaining stretch (currently TRO 40mph) would require a new 30mph TRO.

Decision:

It was MOVED by Councillor Brazil, SECONDED by Councillor Thomas and

 

RESOLVED:

 

That Cabinet be requested to consider a departure from policy, to revoke the existing 40mph Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) on the A3121 in Ermington, thus lowering the majority of the stretch to 30mph by virtue of an existing system of street lighting, with the remaining stretch (currently TRO 40mph) requiring a new 30mph TRO. 

 

 

 

Minutes:

(Councillor Onley, Ermington Parish Council spoke to this matter with the consent of the Committee, expressing his support for Councillor Thomas’ proposal).

 

The Committee noted that, in accordance with Standing Order 23, Councillor Thomas had asked that the Committee consider this matter.

 

The local County Councillor who had had ongoing discussions with Officers, supported the Parish Councillor’s view requesting a departure from policy to revoke the existing 40mph Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) on the A3121 in Ermington. This would lower the majority of the stretch to 30mph by virtue of an existing system of street lighting, with the remaining stretch (currently TRO 40mph) requiring a new 30mph TRO.  It was noted that there had been a number of collisions (including fatalities) along this stretch of road.  The local community concerns included the nature of the route, speed and the ability of various user groups (including persons who were more vulnerable) to safely access areas and facilities in the village and public rights of way.  This discouraged active travel, cycling and walking in the area.

 

The Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport advised that should this Committee be minded to support this request, it would need to be referred to Cabinet for determination as a departure from policy.   Officers further advised of the reasoning behind their decision and caution for not supporting the request, including that:-

 

-a road safety audit (in accordance with national and Devon standards) indicated that the current speed limit was correct and that a lower speed limit level may cause a potential safety hazard as some drivers may not adhere to a speed they considered to be inappropriately low compared to other similar routes.  The Department of Transport required road speed to be self evident; and

 

-there was potentially a stronger risk of liability where road speeds did not comply with national and Devon standards.

 

In considering all the points put forward above, Members remained concerned at safety on this stretch of road and that it could therefore also be inhibiting pedestrian and cyclist use.    Members also considered that policy criteria needed regular review to keep pace with changes e.g. in active travel and consideration of the needs of residential areas.

 

It was MOVED by Councillor Brazil, SECONDED by Councillor Thomas and

 

RESOLVED:

 

that Cabinet be requested to consider a departure from policy, to revoke the existing 40mph Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) on the A3121 in Ermington, thus lowering the majority of the stretch to 30mph by virtue of an existing system of street lighting, with the remaining stretch (currently TRO 40mph) requiring a new 30mph TRO. 

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30.

Dates for Future HATOC Meetings

Please use link below for County Council Calendar of Meetings to check meeting arrangements

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

 

Friday 30 June 2023

Friday 20 October 2023

Friday 16 February 2024

 

 

Minutes:

Dates of future meetings were as follows;

 

Friday 30 June 2023

Friday 20 October 2023

Friday 16 February 2024.

 

Please use link below for County Council Calendar of Meetings to check meeting arrangements

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

 


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