Agenda item

Report of the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment (PTE/22/8) seeking approval for Improvements to Cedars Junction in Barnstaple, attached.

An Impact Assessment is also attached for the attention of Members at the meeting and can also be found at Cedars Crossing – Impact Assessment February 2022.

RESOLVED

(a) that the design and construction for a new pedestrian and cyclist crossing and associated works (plan no. 70086553-WSP-HGN-100-DR-02 in Appendix 1) and potentially additional bus priority measures with an estimated cost of £1 million on the A3125 south of the Cedars roundabout in Barnstaple be approved; and,

(b) that the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment and the Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Environment and Transport and relevant Local Member be given delegated authority, to make minor variations to the scheme as required.

(Councillors Brazil and Hannaford 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/22/8) which sought approval for improvements at Cedars Junction in Barnstaple, 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.

In order to try to control the congestion on the Bickington Road approach to the Cedars junction Barnstaple a trial had been undertaken in February 2019. The trial was considered a success, as set out in previous reports to North Devon Highways and Traffic Orders Committee (HATOC) in June 2019 and November 2021, and approval was now sought for the permanent scheme.

A scheme location plan was available in figure 1 of the Report and the introduction highlighted the additional pressures of an additional 1300 houses planned/expected to 2031, along the corridor, which would add traffic through the Cedars Roundabout as there was no alternative route to drive to Barnstaple. 

The proposal could be seen in full in plan no. 70086553-WSP-HGN-100-DR-02 in Appendix 1. The scheme consisted of a staggered toucan crossing, which required the road to be widened slightly on both sides to accommodate the crossing and adequate road widths for an A class road.  All proposed works were within the public highway boundary.

As a result of public consultation additional bus priority measures through the Cedars Junction would be investigated and if possible designed and incorporated into the scheme where possible. The Report outlined in full the consultation process which took place between 15 December 2021 and 1 February 2022, and was publicised through press releases to local media and the creation of a webpage on the Council’s Have Your Say website (https://www.devon.gov.uk/haveyoursay/consultations/new-pedestrian-and-cyclist-crosing-in-barnstaple/). The Report also detailed the responses received.

Whilst the proposal was to progress this as a standalone scheme, it was part of an emerging wider strategy which aimed to also improve the Wrey Arms roundabout, provide a new pedestrian/cycle bridge over the A361 bypass and railway line to Seven Brethren; and a new access junction from the A361 bypass to the new housing at ‘Larkbear’ behind Petroc joining the A361 to Old Torrington Road.

The cost of the scheme was estimated at £1 million and would be funded by section 106 contributions from housing developments in the area.  Adequate funding had already been secured from developments over previous years to deliver this scheme at the estimated price.

The Head of Service’s Report incorporated an Impact Assessment which had been circulated for the attention of Members at the meeting and was available on the website at Cedars Crossing – Impact Assessment February 2022. The proposals were expected to have overall positive social, environmental and economic impacts, by reducing overall traffic delays approaching the Cedars Roundabout, and thus reducing pollution and improving access to employment and businesses.  However, as the scheme would give greater priority to those approaching the roundabout from the west at the expense of those approaching from the south, the impacts may vary by location. Constructing the pedestrian/cycle crossing was expected to deliver environmental and social benefits (e.g encouraging walking and cycling) however there would be some localised adverse environmental impacts associated with the removal of trees and Devon hedge bank.

The Cabinet also noted that proposal was likely to have a positive impact on traffic from the Bickington/Fremington corridor.  However, there could be other queues and delays formed elsewhere on the road network as traffic diverted to other routes to avoid the traffic lights.  This would be monitored, and signal timing could be adjusted to ensure the capacity of the junction was shared fairly between the main approaches.

The Chair also read out a supporting statement from the Local Member (Councillor Biederman) expressing his desire for Cabinet to support the proposals.

The matter having been debated and the options and/or alternatives and other relevant factors (e.g. financial, sustainability (including carbon impact and climate change), 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 Davis, SECONDED by Councillor Hughes, and

RESOLVED

(a) that the design and construction for a new pedestrian and cyclist crossing and associated works (plan no. 70086553-WSP-HGN-100-DR-02 in Appendix 1) and potentially additional bus priority measures with an estimated cost of £1 million on the A3125 south of the Cedars roundabout in Barnstaple be approved; and,

(b) that the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment and the Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Environment and Transport and relevant Local Member be given delegated authority, to make minor variations to the scheme as required.

(NB: The Impact Assessment referred to above may be viewed alongside Minutes of this meeting and at Cedars Crossing – Impact Assessment February 2022).