Agenda item

Report of the Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste (HIW/21/40), attached

(Councillor A Davis declared a prejudicial interest by virtue of being a Member of the Joint Crematorium Committee, which would be affected by the proposal, and left the meeting for the duration of its consideration and Councillor J Cann declared a personal interest)

(Michelle Ward and Christopher Northrop attended under the Public Participation Scheme and they spoke in support and against the proposal respectively).

(Councillor Lofthouse [North Devon District Council] attended in accordance with Standing Order 25 and spoke in support of the proposal).

The Committee considered the Report of the Chief Officer for Highways, infrastructure Development and Waste (HIW/21/40) on the proposed relocation of the prohibition motor vehicles Bus Gate on Gratton Way to Old Torrington Road to better manage traffic in the area as part of the new housing developments in Larkbear. 

As part of the development it had been proposed to change the route motor vehicles use to access the southern part of Old Torrington Road.

Currently there was an existing prohibition (bus gate) in Gratton Way which had been operated by a rising bollard system (now defunct and not enforced).  The proposed traffic orders sought to revoke this and introduce a new bus gate on Old Torrington Road, to the north of the junction with Gratton Way, which would be enforced by cameras.  This meant that traffic would be directed through Gratton Way to the new development, the crematorium and properties at the southern end of Old Torrington Road instead of from Bickington Road (A3125).  This would help better manage traffic in the area and reduce congestion due to the new housing development.

The proposals had been advertised from 13 May – 17 June 2021 with notices on site, on the County Council’s website and in the local press.  Postcards informing residents of the proposals had been sent to nearby properties.

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In total 224 responses were received, of which 174 were in favour and 47 objected.

A full summary of the comments submitted and the Officers’ responses were detailed in Appendix II of the Report.

The Report also outlined the alternatives available. Officers responded to Members’ questions relating to the traffic management and enforcement implications of the alternatives available both in the shorter and longer term dependent on the level of residential development, financing of the proposal via developer S106 contribution, and the need for further consideration of the times of operation of the proposed new bus gate.

It was MOVED by Councillor C Leaver, SECONDED by Councillor D Knight and

RESOLVED

(a) that the comments to the proposed traffic orders be noted;

(b) that the proposed Bus Gate and waiting restrictions on Old Torrington Road be implemented as advertised and the Traffic Regulation Orders be made and sealed subject to and following (i) further consideration by this Committee on the proposed operating times of the new Bus Gate; and (ii) if necessary a special meeting of this Committee be convened at the appropriate time to consider the proposed operating times;

(c) that the existing prohibition on Gratton Way be revoked as advertised and the Traffic Regulation Order be made and sealed.

[N.B. In accordance with Standing Order 32(4) Councillors F Biederman and J Cann requested that their vote against the decision taken be recorded].