Agenda item

Report of Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport (CET/25/1), seeking approval for the A361 Barnstaple to Ilfracombe Safer Roads Fund Phase 1 scheme, attached.

An Impact Assessment has been prepared for the attention of Members at the meeting, is attached, and can be found at - The Safer Roads Fund – A361 Barnstaple to Ilfracombe Service.

(Councillors Leaver and Whitton attended in accordance with Standing Order 25(2) and spoke to this item).

The Cabinet considered the Report of the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport (CET/25/1), which sought approval for the A361 Barnstaple to Ilfracombe Safer Roads Fund Phase 1 scheme, 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 Report sought to introduce the latest advancements in camera technology to encourage safer driver behaviour and support a reduction in the number of people being killed or seriously injured on the A361 between Ilfracombe and Barnstaple. The Department for Transport had identified the section as a ‘high risk’ route due to its poor safety record and had committed £5.04 million funding towards road safety improvements (Safer Roads Funding).

This Report recommended a first phase of measures, which included artificial intelligence (AI) cameras to detect seatbelts and distractions, and speed enforcement cameras which would support safer speeds. There was an opportunity to bring the installation of this first phase of measures forward during 2025/26. A phase 2 report seeking approval for junction upgrades and improved crossings on the A361 to support safer connectivity for pedestrians and cyclists, including access to bus stops would be presented at a future Cabinet meeting.

Appendix 1 identified the location of three new spot speed cameras, which were bidirectional cameras that could detect speeding traffic in both directions of travel. Two were being introduced to help reduce speeds within the local communities at Knowle and Ilfracombe and the other to help manage speeds on the 50mph A361 dual carriageway and its approaches into lower speed limits at Ashford and Barnstaple. 

Appendix 1 also illustrated the location of the two new average speed camera systems being proposed between Ashford and Chivenor and between Knowle and Mullacott Cross.

Section 5 of the Report gave details on the collision analysis and financial impact thereof as well as representations from Braunton Parish Council and the Knowle Community Group.

The table in section 6 of the Report summarised how the proposals would impact on the achievement of relevant Strategic Plan actions according to a seven-point scale.

An Impact Assessment had been prepared for Members at the meeting and could be found at - The Safer Roads Fund – A361 Barnstaple to Ilfracombe Service. This highlighted that the project would positively impact on the health and safety of the local population and local road users and as a primary County A-Road, would benefit road users and visitors from out of the County. The A361 provided an important transport link for communities and individuals of different socio and economic groups. By providing a safer and more reliable corridor, this would have a positive impact on providing access to employment, services and help promote social inclusion and connectivity.

The Council had powers under the Highways Act 1980 to acquire land necessary for the improvement of highways. Land could be acquired through negotiation or compulsory purchase and the Council would attempt to secure the land required through negotiation with affected landowners, however in the event that this negotiation was unsuccessful then the compulsory purchase order process may be utilised.

In summary, the A361 had been identified as a high harm route for collisions with evidence indicating that speeds and driver distractions were significant contributory factors.  The proposals to introduce a combination of speed enforcement measures to address driver errors was expected to contribute to a reduction in the number of people being killed or seriously injured on this road.

The matter having been debated and the options and alternatives and other relevant factors (e.g. financial, sustainability and carbon impact, risk management, equality and legal considerations and alignment with the Council’s Strategic Plan) set out in the Director’s Report having been considered:

it was MOVED by Councillor Hughes, SECONDED by Councillor Davies, and

RESOLVED

(a) that the artificial intelligence and speed enforcement cameras scheme on the A361 corridor between Ilfracombe and Barnstaple, as shown in Appendices 1 and 2, be approved for delivery, at an estimated cost of £1 million;

(b) that approval is given to commence the acquisition of land through negotiation and/or a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) for any land required for the scheme; and

(c) that the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport be given delegated authority, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Highway Management and the local Member, to make minor amendments to the scheme details as necessary.

(Councillors Leaver and Whitton attended in accordance with Standing Order 25(2) and spoke to this item).

The Cabinet considered the Report of the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport (CET/25/1), which sought approval for the A361 Barnstaple to Ilfracombe Safer Roads Fund Phase 1 scheme, 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 Report sought to introduce the latest advancements in camera technology to encourage safer driver behaviour and support a reduction in the number of people being killed or seriously injured on the A361 between Ilfracombe and Barnstaple. The Department for Transport had identified the section as a ‘high risk’ route due to its poor safety record and had committed £5.04 million funding towards road safety improvements (Safer Roads Funding).

This Report recommended a first phase of measures, which included artificial intelligence (AI) cameras to detect seatbelts and distractions, and speed enforcement cameras which would support safer speeds. There was an opportunity to bring the installation of this first phase of measures forward during 2025/26. A phase 2 report seeking approval for junction upgrades and improved crossings on the A361 to support safer connectivity for pedestrians and cyclists, including access to bus stops would be presented at a future Cabinet meeting.

Appendix 1 identified the location of three new spot speed cameras, which were bidirectional cameras that could detect speeding traffic in both directions of travel. Two were being introduced to help reduce speeds within the local communities at Knowle and Ilfracombe and the other to help manage speeds on the 50mph A361 dual carriageway and its approaches into lower speed limits at Ashford and Barnstaple. 

Appendix 1 also illustrated the location of the two new average speed camera systems being proposed between Ashford and Chivenor and between Knowle and Mullacott Cross.

Section 5 of the Report gave details on the collision analysis and financial impact thereof as well as representations from Braunton Parish Council and the Knowle Community Group.

The table in section 6 of the Report summarised how the proposals would impact on the achievement of relevant Strategic Plan actions according to a seven-point scale.

An Impact Assessment had been prepared for Members at the meeting and could be found at - The Safer Roads Fund – A361 Barnstaple to Ilfracombe Service. This highlighted that the project would positively impact on the health and safety of the local population and local road users and as a primary County A-Road, would benefit road users and visitors from out of the County. The A361 provided an important transport link for communities and individuals of different socio and economic groups. By providing a safer and more reliable corridor, this would have a positive impact on providing access to employment, services and help promote social inclusion and connectivity.

The Council had powers under the Highways Act 1980 to acquire land necessary for the improvement of highways. Land could be acquired through negotiation or compulsory purchase and the Council would attempt to secure the land required through negotiation with affected landowners, however in the event that this negotiation was unsuccessful then the compulsory purchase order process may be utilised.

In summary, the A361 had been identified as a high harm route for collisions with evidence indicating that speeds and driver distractions were significant contributory factors.  The proposals to introduce a combination of speed enforcement measures to address driver errors was expected to contribute to a reduction in the number of people being killed or seriously injured on this road.

The matter having been debated and the options and alternatives and other relevant factors (e.g. financial, sustainability and carbon impact, risk management, equality and legal considerations and alignment with the Council’s Strategic Plan) set out in the Director’s Report having been considered:

it was MOVED by Councillor Hughes, SECONDED by Councillor Davis, and

RESOLVED

(a) that the artificial intelligence and speed enforcement cameras scheme on the A361 corridor between Ilfracombe and Barnstaple, as shown in Appendices 1 and 2, be approved for delivery, at an estimated cost of £1 million;

(b) that approval is given to commence the acquisition of land through negotiation and/or a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) for any land required for the scheme; and

(c) that the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport be given delegated authority, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Highway Management and the local Member, to make minor amendments to the scheme details as necessary.