Councillor Mark Pountney – represented by Councillor Bobbie Davies, Councillor Nicole Amil, and Sue Cheriton

Proposed by: Cllr Cowell

Seconded by: Cllr Doggett

In favour: All

Against:

Abstention:

Inspector Lou Costin reported that the Police are hoping to gain support for installing some traffic calming measures at the Strand as a result of a number of near misses which have been reported in the area when members of the public are out during the late evening and early hours.

Councillors Addis and Doggett both advised they are members of the licensing board.

Patrick Carney advised that a 3 year collision study had been undertaken of this area where it showed there were a lot of near misses occurring rather than a lot of collisions.  Patrick Carney advised he and his team have been working with the Police to look at reducing the speed of the traffic during these busy periods but highlighted that this area is not on the Road Safety Priorities list for this year and would require the approval of the Transport Working Party to add this as a priority for the following year.

A number of options were discussed as to how the traffic calming measures could be implemented in the area where it was agreed that a possible solution could be to install part-time interactive signs.

Councillor Cowell advised that he believes there is a much wider issue around the whole area and is working towards a night time study being completed in the future.  Councillor Cowell advised he is in support of a short term solution.

Councillor Doggett advised he believes part of the solution would be to educate drivers and pedestrians alike.

Councillor Addis advised he supports the idea that something needs to be implemented in the area but as this is an A road, advised that whatever is approved must not cause too much disruption.

Recommendation

Officers to progress the scheme for interactive signs to be installed in the area and to review the surface of the highway with implementation possibly proceeding during the 2014/15 financial year.

Proposed by: Cllr Addis

Seconded by: Cllr Brooksbank

In favour:  All

Against:

Abstention:

Inspector Lou Costin and MPC David Carne left the meeting.

Patrick Carney advised a petition had been received from Mrs Murphy regarding traffic calming in Maidenway Road, Paignton.  Patrick Carney explained that Mrs Murphy was unable to attend the meeting but had asked Councillor Doggett to represent her.

Councillor Doggett advised the petition has 158 signatures and has come about due to the recent spate of accidents which have occurred in the area which seemingly is due to speeding traffic along Maidenway Road.

Councillor Doggett recounted the contents of an email he had received from Mrs Murphy where she reported there had been a number of incidents along Maidenway Road including buses having to take evasive action to avoid collisions on numerous occasions.

Patrick Carney advised that speed recordings have been undertaken in this area, the results of which show the average speed is 20 mph and the 85^th percentile speed is 31 mph.  Patrick Carney reported that on occasion it appears there are a small number of drivers speeding in the area with the highest speed being recorded as 46 mph.

Patrick Carney advised that the Transport Working Party has agreed to the Road Safety Initiatives for 2013/14 during their meeting on the 25^th July 2013 and highlighted that if the Transport Working Party believe this traffic calming in Maidenway Road needs to be added to the list then a decision will need to be made which priority will be removed from the plan.

A discussion took place regarding the possible measures that could be installed whereby it was established that if a speed camera is installed in the vicinity, any revenue made goes to Central Government and not the Local Authority.

Patrick Carney is to clarify to the Transport Working Party when the speed recordings were taken to ensure this was not conducted when road works were taking place as this would give a distorted result.

Patrick Carney advised that an educational awareness campaign could be run whereby 30 mph signs are placed in the area to remind drivers of the speed limit and following this further speed checks could be undertaken.

Councillor Doggett advised he would report back to Mrs Murphy.  Patrick Carney and Councillor Hill to formally respond.

Patrick Carney advised that a review is being undertaken following comments and a petition being received after alterations to various parking restrictions in and around the Cary Park area of St Marychurch.  Patrick Carney advised that the biggest area of concern relates to St Anne’s Road and after reviewing feedback as detailed in appendix 4, he is proposing minor changes as detailed in appendix 5 and summarised below:

Aveland Road

·         Extend ‘cars only’ restrictions to the junction with Warbro Road.

·         Implement double yellow lines restrictions at the junction of Aveland Road / Warbro Road

St Anne’s Road

·         Implement parking restrictions in the current coach bay to allow limited waiting between 8am – 6pm 1 hour no return in 2 hours, therefore enabling car parking during the day and coach parking in the evening 6pm – 8am, as was previously in place.

·         Alter the existing parking restrictions fronting the property known as “Valetta”, from 8am – 6pm 1 hour no return 1 hour to limited waiting between 8am – 6pm 1 hour no return in 2 hours.

Recommendation

Officers to advertise the proposed changes and if no objections are received, to implement.

Proposed by: Cllr Addis

Seconded by: Cllr Doggett

In favour:  All

Against:

Abstention:

Patrick Carney advised the request for Cockington Lane Residents Parking had been presented to the Transport Working Party on the 25^th April 2013 and is being re-presented due to one objection received as outlined in appendix 2, which raises concerns regarding the proposal could be in contravention to the Council’s Parking Policy and highlights there is an error in the Statement of Reasons detailed on the Traffic Regulation Order as this may invalidate the Order.

Patrick Carney advised the responses to the two points raised in the objection is outlined in appendix 3 and explained that the objector is correct in that the proposal does override the Parking Policy and the error in the Statement of Reasons detailed on the Traffic Regulation Order does not invalidate the Order as the statement is only required to give a brief account of why the authority proposes to make the Order.

Councillor Hill asked if the Council are within their rights to override the Parking Policy.  Patrick Carney confirmed that as the Parking Policy was recommended by the Transport Working Party and approved by a Delegated Decision, it is acceptable that the same level of authority can override a policy.  Councillor Cowell suggested that this information should be detailed in the Parking Policy in order to deal with any future special cases which may arise.

Recommendation

The proposals for Cockington Lane Residents Parking are implemented as advertised.

Proposed by: Cllr Davies

Seconded by: Cllr Addis

In favour:  All

Against:

Abstention:

Patrick Carney presented the Torbay Council Highways Design Guide for new Developments report and advised Strategic Transport and Development Control were consulted with when producing this document.

Patrick Carney advised that the document follows on from the Local Transport Plan and council planning guidelines and conforms to guidance set out in the Manual for Streets.

Councillor Doggett acknowledged the question he wanted to ask could be deemed as not falling into this item but enquired if the council pay for trees that are cut down and referred to a tree that was removed in Broadpark Avenue.  Patrick Carney advised that the Council did pay for the removal of a tree in this area from the revenue budget and went on to say that the Tree Management Policy states that the Council will not remove healthy trees except in instances where the tree does not fit in with the street scene.  Patrick Carney advised the tree is intended to be replaced and the Council are approaching residents for funding.

Recommendation

To approve the Torbay Council Highways Design Guide for new Developments as a policy.

Proposed by: Cllr Addis

Seconded by: Cllr Doggett

In favour:  All

Against:

Abstention:

Patrick Carney presented the Parking Restrictions – Crosspark Avenue, Torquay report and advised the report has been produced in response to requests from the local bus company for additional parking restrictions to aid access for the number 32 bus.

Patrick Carney advised that funding for the additional parking restrictions will be from the capital programme for public transport improvements.

Recommendation

Advertise the additional parking restrictions and implement if no objections are received.

Proposed by: Cllr Doggett

Seconded by: Cllr Brooksbank

In favour:  All

Against:

Abstention:

Torquay Gateway Scheme/Western Corridor

Sally Farley reported the Strategic Transport section are working to submit a bid for £2.3 million pinch point funding by the 28^th October 2013 for the Torquay Gateway regeneration project and advised that a letter of support from the Transport Working Party would assist with this.

Sally Farley advised if the bid is successful, works could start to take place as early as next winter.

Patrick Carney reported the first tranche of pinch point funding to provide improvements to the Western Corridor has been successful with just over £1 million being awarded.  It is expected that work will be carried out over the next two winters.  The second tranche of pinch point funding is currently being worked on.

Recommendation

Letter of support from the Chairman of the Transport Working Party for the Torquay Gateway regeneration project and associated bid.

Proposed by: Cllr Cowell

Seconded by: Cllr Doggett

In favour:  All

Against:

Abstention:

Higher Union Lane

Councillor Cowell requested feedback for the December meeting of the Transport Working Party relating to the non enforcement of parking restrictions at Higher Union Lane. 

Patrick Carney reported he is reluctant to continually use resources to replace the signs at this location to allow for parking enforcement to resume as the signs are being removed within a matter of days.  Patrick Carney advised he has been liaising with the council’s Security Team who are procuring a mobile CCTV camera and it is hoped this will allow some surveillance of the area to identify what is occurring with the signs.  Any information gleaned from this exercise will be shared with the Police.

Audley Avenue

Councillor Cowell advised that he is aware of a petition that has been submitted in respect of the proposals for Audley Avenue and asked for feedback. 

Patrick Carney advised he has seen the petition which he and his team are currently reviewing but confirmed this does not change the recommendation made by the Transport Working Party although would welcome Ward Councillor guidance on this matter.

Budgets

Councillor Hill advised that owing to reductions in budgets in the Authority, consideration is being given to disband the Transport Working Party and he is currently working on a report with Patrick Carney which will be presented to Members outlining this.

Should the Mayor agree to the disbandment of the Transport Working Party, all future transport issues would need to be reported to Ward Councillors who would need to advise Community Partnerships and residents alike.

Sally Farley confirmed the Strategic Transport section has their own consultation processes in place and this would not cause a problem should the disbandment of the Transport Working Party be approved.

Councillor Cowell suggested that perhaps the council could look at reducing other meetings before reducing the Transport Working Party as it was generally felt the meetings held for Planning, Licensing and Transport should not be reduced owing to their productivity.