(In accordance with Standing Order 23(2) Councillor Hellyer has requested that the Committee consider the following matters)
(a) Mill Street Traffic Order
(b) Clear Street Charter for Bideford
(c) B3232 Barnstaple to Torrington Road
(d) Situation in Alverdiscott Road, outside East the water school, Bideford
(e) Cycling Routes in Torridge
(f) Traffic Situation to be reviewed outside East the Water School, Alverdiscott Road, Bideford
(g) Traffic and Parking Situation to be reviewed in Torridge Lane and adjoining streets
(h) Street Lighting in Old Barnstaple Road and Mines Road
(i) Pedestrian crossing on the A386
(j) Littleham Parish Council would like 30mph sign as you approach the village from Moorhead
(k) Landcross Parish Council have asked for updates on: (i) The replacement of the broken VAS at the approach to Landcross bridge; (ii) Request for a VAS on the Weare Giffard Straight (A386); (iii) the signage reviewed at the Weare Giffard junction on the A386 and the sign to the approach from Landcross where it is suggested is too close to the junction and does not give sufficient warning and there is no sign as you approach from Torrington
(l) Drainage in Torrington Lane
Minutes:
(In accordance with Standing Order 23(2) Councillor L Hellyer had requested that the Committee consider the following matters)
(a) Mill Street Traffic Order
The local Traffic Engineer reported that proposals were being drawn up and would be included in the next Local Waiting Restrictions Programme for consideration by the Committee in due course.
(b) Clear Street Charter for Bideford
The Chair reported on this Charter which had been introduced in Exeter and referred to obstructions particularly for people with limited vision in Bideford created by shop/business owners’ ‘A’ Boards and the need for publicity and education in this regard. The local Neighbourhood Highway Manager reported that enforcement action was taken on occasion and this was a re-occurring problem and that he would investigate the options available with a view to mre publicity/education.
(c) B3232 Barnstaple to Torrington Road
The Chair reported that this issue had been resolved.
(d) Situation in Alverdiscott Road, outside East-the-Water School, Bideford
The Chair referred to congestion around the School particularly during peak drop-off and pick-up times and the need for consideration of a pedestrian crossing or other measures. The School was doing its best to encourage walking but this was not possible for all families. The Neighbourhood Highway Manager would investigate the available options.
(e) Cycling Routes in Torridge
(Councillor Hames attended in accordance with Standing Order 25 and spoke to the item relating to Cycle Routes in Torridge and proposed three priority routes)
The Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment reported that earlier this year the Corporate Infrastructure and Regulatory Services Scrutiny Committee considered a report on the County Council’s approach to Active Travel. The report set out the County’s progress in delivering the Cycling and Multi-Use Trail Strategy, provided updates on national policy and emerging design guidance and looked ahead to how this might impact on the planning and prioritisation of future infrastructure schemes.
The report highlighted the County Council’s priorities for northern Devon, which included in terms of the strategic leisure trails, the remaining sections of the Tarka Trail between Meeth and Hatherleigh and between Knowle and Willingcott which in combination with the completion of the Ruby Way between Hatherleigh and Holsworthy would mean that most of the major market towns of West Devon, Torridge and North Devon were connected by long distance leisure routes.
Recognising the limited funding available and the long list of urban and rural aspirational routes being promoted by communities across Devon, the Scrutiny Committee had resolved to ask Cabinet to develop policy which supported local people to develop and realise cycle and multi-use trails in local areas and to include scrutiny where appropriate in the development of policy.
On March 10th Cabinet would be asked to authorise Officers and the Cabinet Member for Highway Management to refresh the Cycling and Multi Use Trail Strategy and develop policy to enable local people to be actively involved in the delivery of Multi-Use Trails;
If approved, over the next 12 months the Cycling and Multi Use Trail Strategy would be refreshed to respond positively to the Government’s recent publications ‘Gear Change: a bold vision for cycling and walking’ and ‘Local Transport Note 1/20 Cycle Infrastructure Design’ documents. The updated strategy would also incorporate policy to support local aspirations.
While Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans (LCWIPs) were being encouraged by Government, they were resource intensive and costly to develop. An LCWIP had been in development for Exeter and Teignbridge District Council had funded an LCWIP light version for the Heart of Teignbridge (Newton Abbot). With significant growth and potential for contributions to be secured in Bideford/Northam, Officers would also seek to work with the District, Town Councils and engage with community groups to develop a cycling and walking plan for the Bideford/Northam urban network.
The Head of Service also reported on the routes referred to by Councillor Hames in regard to the Kenwith Valley, Brunswick Wharf and Chircombe Lane routes and local issues involved and on which he could update the local Torridge, Northam/Bideford Active Travel Group.
Members also referred to the extensive work underway and the priorities across the County.
(f) Traffic Situation to be reviewed outside East the Water School, Alverdiscott Road, Bideford
(Referred to at (d) above)
(g) Traffic and Parking Situation to be reviewed in Torridge Lane and adjoining streets
The Chair referred to issues in the area. Officers agreed that the Traffic Management Team would review this as part of the next Local Restrictions Programme.
(h) Street Lighting in Old Barnstaple Road and Mines Road (i) Pedestrian crossing on the A386
The Chair reported that the Bideford Town Council had referred to this within their Town Centre Plan and had written to the Chief Officer. The Neighbourhood Highway Manager would liaise with Planning, Transportation and Environment Officers in regard to additional lighting associated with proposed housing development in the area.
(j) Littleham Parish Council: Request for 30mph sign as you approach the village from Moorhead
(Councillor C Phillips attended in accordance with Standing Order 25 and spoke to this item)
The Neighbourhood Highway Manager undertook to refer this request to the Speed Compliance Action Review Forum (SCARF) process.
(k) Landcross Parish Council have requested: (i) the replacement of the broken VAS at the approach to Landcross bridge; (ii) a VAS on the Weare Giffard Straight (A386); and (iii) signage review at the Weare Giffard junction on the A386 and the sign to the approach from Landcross where it is suggested is too close to the junction and does not give sufficient warning and there is no sign as you approach from Torrington (l) Drainage in Torrington Lane
(Councillor C Phillips attended in accordance with Standing Order 25 and spoke to this item)
Officers undertook to liaise with Councillor Phillips and undertook that the local Neighbourhood Highway Team would review the issues and options available.
(l) Drainage in Torrington Lane
The Chair reported on a statement from a local resident on drainage and associated flood problems over recent years and that Officers were aware of the problems which were being addressed.