Items which in the opinion of the Chairman should be considered at the meeting as matters of urgency.
Minutes:
Littlehempston Cycle Path
(An item taken under Section 100B(4) of the Local Government Act 1972).
The Chairman, having exercised his discretion and in the spirit of the County Council’s Public Participation rules and with the consent of the Committee, invited Mr Oldridge (representative of South Devon Cycle Link) to speak on this issue.
The Chairman had decided that the Committee should consider this item as a matter of urgency, in order that it could consider the proposals of the working group, following the resolution at the last meeting of the HATOC ‘that Councillors Vint, Rowe and Pennington work with relevant officers on the Littlehempston cyclepath proposals, to identify a way forward for the delivery of this scheme’.
A report had been prepared, on behalf of Councillors Vint, Rowe and Pennington, with a proposal that the Committee lend its support to a preferred route (option 3), from the five potential routes as previously laid out in the Council’s Feasibility Study of February 2012, nothwithstanding the Council had not yet formally declared any of the routes as a Preferred Route.
The aims of the scheme were to create a direct, off-main-road cycle route that linked the 12 villages and towns to the northwest and north east of Totnes (including Ashburton, East Ogwell, Woodland, Denbury, Ipplepen, Torbryan, Broadhempston, Landscove, Staverton, Littlehempston, Totnes, and Newton Abbot.
Members noted that Planning Consent, Funding, and Landowner Agreement were three independent aspects of the project.
Members also received a copy of a letter from Sarah Woolaston MP showing support for the preferred route of the group (route 3) and they additionally suggested a possible solution that might address the concerns of South Devon Railway with regard to the safety and security of the railway.
Officers highlighted the Council had recently agreed a Strategy for cycling and multi-use trails and the County Council’s priorities were to complete both the Wray Valley and Teign Valley trails, rather than investing in the NCN2 route. However, there was nothing to prevent community groups from progressing local off road cycling schemes and the Council would assist where it could. However, negotiations with landowners for this scheme could not be the responsibility of the County Council.
It was MOVED by Councillor Vint, SECONDED by Councillor Gilbert, and
RESOLVED that the principle of South Devon Cycle Link progressing a cycle and pedestrian route from Littlehempston to Totnes (option 3 as outlined the report), be fully supported by the Committee.
Rainbow Crossing – Totnes
(An item taken under Section 100B(4) of the Local Government Act 1972).
(The Chairman, having exercised his discretion and in the spirit of the County Council’s Public Participation rules and with the consent of the Committee, invited Mr M Price (representative of Proud2Be) to speak on this issue).
The Chairman had decided that the Committee should consider this item as a matter of urgency, in order that it could consider the proposals of the community group. A report had been prepared for the HATOC, which had been made available to Members at the meeting, which outlined the proposal for a local community group, Proud2Be, to fund the provision or enhancement of one or more permanent crossing points in the town.
The proposal would provide additional crossing points / or enhanced visibility of existing crossing points and from a community perspective provide a highly visible rainbow crossing highlighting the town’s reputation as a welcoming place for all races, genders and sexualities. Totnes Town Council and Totnes Traffic & Transport Forum were in support of the concept.
At this stage, the proposers were seeking general support from the HATOC for the principle for crossings or crossing enhancements at three locations (Coronation Road, High Street in front of Market Square and on either side of The Wills Memorial on The Plains (and for a more detailed proposal for enhancements to the Courtesy Crossing at the Wills Memorial).
Members asked questions on what road features were already in these locations, such as lights, crossings, dropped kerbs etc.
Officers then reported their concerns relating to the legality and safety of such a proposal, especially as the proposed stripes would resemble a zebra crossing, albeit in different colours. It was suggested, as an alternative, that the stripes could run in the opposite direction, thereby not resembling a zebra crossing.
Officers also were concerned about the Coronation Road proposal and would not be able to lend support to that particular location.
The Committee noted there would be further work required, for example checks with the District Council regarding conservation issues, materials to be used, safety audit and a license for maintenance etc.
It was MOVED by Councillor Vint, SECONDED by Councillor Croad, and
RESOLVED that the suggestion to develop proposals for colour enhancement to one or two crossings in Totnes be welcomed and the Committee receive a further report, in due course, on specific scheme plans and locations, taking into account the comments made by the Committee above.