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Agenda item

Report of the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment (PTE/19/8), seeking approval to proceed with land acquisition, side roads orders and a tender exercise for a scheme to widen the existing footway and highway between Whitehill Close and Churchills Roundabout on the A382, Newton Abbot, attached.

 

An Impact Assessment is attached separately for the attention of Members at this meeting.

Minutes:

(Councillors Hannaford, Hodgson and J Hook attended in accordance with Standing Order 25(2) and spoke to this item).

 

The Cabinet considered the Report of the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment (PTE/19/8), which sought approval to proceed with land acquisition, side roads orders and a tender exercise for a scheme to widen the existing footway and highway between Whitehill Close and Churchills Roundabout on the A382, Newton Abbot, the Report having been circulated prior to the meeting in accordance with regulation 7(4) of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012.

 

The scheme was based upon achieving delivery of development to the west of Newton Abbot, improved safety on the A382 and the encouragement of the use of sustainable modes of transport.

 

The Report outlined the current issues in terms of the existing road having poor alignment, high traffic flows, poor facilities for pedestrians or cyclists, a higher than average (17%) collision rate including a fatality in 2012, narrow footways and a need to improve cycle routes. It further highlighted that Teignbridge District Council’s adopted Local Plan set out proposed residential and employment developments in the area between 2013 and 2033 including a large amount of development to the west of Newton Abbot, including Whitehill, Forches Cross and Houghton Barton, all of which had direct access onto the A382.

 

The Report described the scheme in detail, for example, widening of the highway to 6m, widening of the footway to a 3.5m shared pedestrian and cycle path and a new pedestrian refuge island to the north of Whitehill Close. The improvements were one phase of the wider A382 Corridor Improvement scheme which included realignment and widening of the A382 and a new shared pedestrian and cycle path between Drumbridges roundabout and Whitehill Cross. 

 

It further highlighted the outcome of the public consultation which was undertaken between Friday 5 October and Friday 2 November 2018. The majority of responses received were positive towards the scheme (62%). Negative responses received (38%) related to value for money, traffic disruption and safety concerns for pedestrians and cyclists using the proposed facilities.

 

Private land belonging to six land owners was required for this scheme and the Council would attempt to acquire the land through negotiation.  The amount of land required would have an impact on the rear gardens of the six houses and bring the road closer to the properties.

 

The Scheme was estimated to cost £2.4m, the funding likely to come from several sources, including The Local Transport Plan, The Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership and developer contributions through Teignbridge District Council’s Community Infrastructure Levy.

 

The Head of Services Report incorporated an Impact Assessment, circulated for the attention of Members at the meeting, which highlighted the positive impact that the scheme would have on pedestrians and cyclists with the provision of a new shared pedestrian and cycle path and improved pedestrian access from Whitehill Close to bus services on the A382, enabling sustainable travel from residential areas to Newton Abbot town centre.

 

In economic terms the scheme would contribute to facilitating development and travel along the A382, which would have a beneficial impact upon the local economy by enabling employment and housing development in the area to proceed with relevant mitigated impact.

 

The Exeter Road Improvements were within or adjacent to the highway, and as such the scheme was designed to minimise its environmental impact.  However, there were several trees alongside the road on both sides and discussions would take place with the Local Planning Authority on how best to mitigate this impact.

 

The matter having been debated and the options and/or alternatives and other relevant factors (e.g. financial, sustainability (including carbon impact), risk management, equality and legal considerations and Public Health impact) set out in the Head of Service’s Report and/or referred to above having been considered:

 

it was MOVED by Councillor Hart, SECONDED by Councillor McInnes, and

 

RESOLVED

 

(a) that the scheme layout as shown on drawing DWG B15013/43 (attached to the Report at Appendix 2) be approved, to proceed in line with the recommendations below;

 

(b) that authority be given to obtain the land required for the scheme, including Compulsory Purchase Orders if necessary;

 

(c) that any necessary Side Roads Orders and Traffic Regulation Orders be advertised and if no objections received, be made and sealed;

 

(d) that a tender exercise be undertaken for construction of the scheme, with award of tender only when funding is secured; and

 

(e) that the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment, in consultation with the Local Member and relevant Cabinet Member, be given delegated authority to make minor amendments to the scheme design.

 

[NB: The Impact Assessment referred to above may be viewed alongside Minutes of this meeting and may also be available at:  http://new.devon.gov.uk/impact/].

Supporting documents:


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