Skip to content

Agenda item

Report of the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment (PTE/20/9) seeking approval to implement road safety improvements on the A3123 following the award of £2,200,000 as part of the Department for Transport’s (DfT) “Safer Roads Fund” project, attached.

 

Minutes:

(Councillors Dewhirst and Hannaford attended remotely in accordance with Standing Order 25(2) and the Local Authorities and Police and Crime Panels (Coronavirus) (Flexibility of Local Authority and Police and Crime Panel Meetings) (England and Wales) Regulations 2020 and spoke to this item).

 

The Cabinet considered the Report of the Head of Planning Transportation and Environment (PTE/20/9) which sought approval to implement road safety improvements on the A3123 following the award of £2,200,000 as part of the Department for Transport’s (DfT) “Safer Roads Fund” project, 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 Cabinet noted that the A3123, in North Devon, which stretched from south of Ilfracombe to the south of Lynton, had a poor safety record with a number of accidents at three junctions on the route. In addition, there were ongoing concerns regarding the safety of the Oxenpark Lane junction on the road to Ilfracombe.

 

The Report proposed four improvements as part of the scheme which included:

 

1.     an upgrade to the crossroads at Lynton Cross to an unlit four arm rural roundabout which would minimise the ecological impact on the adjacent English meadow and take account of the dark skies in the rural area. Research and evidence, produced the road safety team, regarding rural unlit rural roundabouts was provided in Appendix II of the Report;

 

2.     minor works to be carried out at Hore Down Gate to improve the alignment of the junction;

 

3.     the closure of Oxenpark Lane up to its connection with the B3230 to overcome safety concerns at the Oxenpark Lane junction with B3230, however, this would be subject to a future consultation; and

 

4.     at Berry Down Cross the junction would be improved with a number of measures including white lining, vehicle actuated signs and chevrons, new high friction surfacing, illuminated cat’s eyes and a new 40mph speed limit.

 

The Scheme plans for the three junction improvements were shown in Appendix III of the Report.

 

The Cabinet further noted that the scheme had the support of the local Member and the relevant local Parish Councils.

 

As part of the grant application bid an impact assessment had been carried out and could be found at https://www.devon.gov.uk/roadsandtransport/safe-travel/road-safety/saferroads/capital-schemes/. The Scheme would require some earthworks and construction at Lynton Cross. Early discussions regarding Ecology and Landscape had taken place so that schemes were designed and built in compliance with the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 and fitted as closely as possible into the natural landscape.

 

Some trees would need to be felled at Lynton Cross, but enhanced planting would be undertaken to compensate for these losses.

 

Road safety schemes of this kind were expected to be of general benefit across the road using demographic. Cumulatively, the proposed measures would offer a positive social impact by decreasing risk of injury, and injury severity, arising from road travel. Road Safety Audits would be carried out, paying particular attention to vulnerable road users.

 

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 Hughes, SECONDED by Councillor Hart, and

 

RESOLVED

 

(a) that the Safer Roads Schemes shown illustratively on the scheme plans attached at Appendix III to the Report on the A3123 in North Devon at a cost of no more than £2.2 million, be approved;

 

(b) that the A3123 improvements between Mullacott Roundabout and Easter Close Cross be progressed through to detailed design and land acquisition by negotiation and, if necessary, by Compulsory Purchase Orders and any associated statutory orders;

 

(c) that Traffic Regulations Orders related to Oxenpark Lane be advertised and, if no significant objections received, be made and sealed;

 

(d) that the Scheme be tendered and subject to all legal agreements being in place, and with the available cost envelope, progressed to construction; and

 

(e) the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment be given delegated powers, in consultation with the relevant Cabinet Member and relevant local Member(s), to make minor amendments to scheme details to facilitate its delivery.

 

[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:


Top