Apologies were received from Sue Cheriton and Bill Prendergast.

The previous minutes were agreed as a true and accurate record with one amendment:

Page 24, item 178, should have read “The total bid package is £695k, £840k with match funding” and not  “... is £695k with £840k match...”

Proposed by: Cllr Doggett

Seconded by: Cllr Addis

In favour: All

Mr Doodson spoke to the meeting concerning Parkhill Road above the Imperial Hotel.  He stated that he uses the road regularly and finds that it is dangerous for pedestrians, especially visitors and children.

Mr Doodson advised that the road is 100m long and 5.8m wide.  Difficulties are experienced when two saloon cars pass leaving very little space for pedestrians who can find it intimidating.  Issues are also caused by overhanging trees causing a dark tunnel.

Mr Doodson highlighted a number of  solutions as follows:

·         a physical barrier for pedestrians

·         trees to be cut back

·         speed humps

·         “Go Slow” signs

·         a chicane

·         one-way route

·         traffic lights

Mr Doodson felt that either a one way route or traffic lights were the best options when considering dangers and injury risks.

Cllr Bent confirmed that he supports Mr Doodson and considers that more daylight is required in the road.  Cllr Bent also felt that action on this issue was well overdue.

Patrick Carney accepted that pedestrians are nervous in this area and that the darkness makes it feel worse than it is.  Patrick advised that no collisions are showing on the collision database for Parkhill Road.  The only incident that has been reported is of two wing mirrors clipping which were reported to the police due to a disagreement over responsibility.  Patrick stated that he is happy to look at a scheme to improve Parkhill Road, but he would need Members to advise which other proposed scheme not to progress to enable funding to be available.  Patrick confirmed that high sided vehicles keep low branches at bay, however notices can be issued to the owners of the trees to trim them back, but only if they are affecting the highway and not for light issues.  The other option is for the Council to pay for them to be trimmed back.

Patrick confirmed that the issue has been around for a long time and that there is not an easy solution as if there was it would have already been carried out.  Patrick went through each of the options that Mr Doodson suggested:-

·         traffic lights are not viable for such a short stretch and the scheme would cost in the region of £50k, together with the cost of maintaining equipment.

·         one-way route – these tend to increase speeds due to drivers knowing that they will not meet oncoming traffic

·         a chicane – this is possible with buildouts

·         providing an edge of carriageway is a cheap option.  A minimum of 4.8m is required for the carriageway which leaves a 1m virtual footway.  There would be a small cost in providing this, but it may not solve the problem.

Cllr Addis felt that the chicane that had been installed at Moor Lane has worked and that this would work in the same way.  Patrick confirmed that yes it is possible that it would work, however there would be a cost of approximately £20k.  If this option was chosen then it would have to be as a capital  ...  view the full minutes text for item 185.

Sally Farley gave a verbal update on projects that are currently being delivered through the Local Growth Fund, the LEP and the Local Sustainable Fund as follows:

·         South Devon Link Road – progressing

·         New Ferry Services have now commenced

·         Walking and Cycling

·         Bus Priority Scheme – delivered

·         Smart Cards and Ticketing

·         Edginswell Station

·         Real Time Information

·         Bus and Rail Integration

·         Western Corridor

·         Torquay Gateway

Sally Farley advised that the Park & Ride scheme is not being delivered due to lack of funding and other priorities.  The current Implementation Plan is due to be refreshed after March 2015 whilst Devon have a 3 year Implementation Plan.

Patrick Carney advised that the next phase of the Fleet Street works is due to commence in January 2015 and the contract has been awarded to Roadform.  This will result in a 3 month closure up to the old Burger King and is due to be completed by the May half term.  Patrick confirmed that consultation had been carried out and retailers wanted the works to continue.

Patrick Carney provided an update on the following schemes:-

·         Scheme outside Ellacombe School has been completed

·         King Street is due to be complete by the end of March

·         20mph outside schools – stage 1 complete

·         Torwood Street – out to consultation

·         Western Corridor – pinch point funding  has enabled second stage to be progressed, due to start on site in January 2015

·         South Devon Link Road is progressing and expected to meet it’s deadline

·         Cycle routes completed at Preston and Hospital Link

Sally Farley advised that a report is expected on the Torquay Town Centre Traffic scheme with a public consultation taking place in December, followed by an exhibition on 7 January 2015.  A special Transport Working Party will be required to discuss options.  The preferred option is to be developed with consultation taking place in mid February and to go to the LTB in March.  Construction is to take place in 2015/16 as there is no funding past 2015/16.

Consultation is taking place on Torquay Gateway through the website and this is part of the Master Plan.  Due to go to LTB on 17 December.  Commence on site in 2015/16 with most of the work taking place in 2016 – 2018.

Edginswell Station is due to go to the LTB in outline in March 2015.

Cllr Addis expressed thanks for the works carried out outside Ellacombe School.

Cllr Doggett queried why pedestrians are using the bridge in Fleet Street.  Patrick advised that this is due to be removed by the end of the year once South West Water have installed their screens.

Cllr Davis expressed a well done for all that has been done for Torquay, however queried when money is going to be spent in Paignton and Brixham.  Sally Farley advised that £7m is being spent on the Western Corridor.  Money has also been spent on Velopark.  Bidding for funding is currently taking place for works to Paignton Station.

Cllr Excell thanked Sally Farley and Patrick  ...  view the full minutes text for item 186.

Patrick Carney provided an update on the cycle routes to connect to the new ferry service and Torbay Hospital.  The routes have been approved in principle and there is no loss of parking spaces.  The route along the sea front has been amended slightly so that cycles are not using the promenade.  This includes a shared footway/cycleway outside Torre Abbey, and using the road in the area of Abbey Crescent and the Pavilion.  It is anticipated that this will be completed by the end of March 2015.  The Working Party supported the proposals.

Sally Farley advised that the new ferry service has now commenced although the Ferry Company are not obliged to start until December.  The service is currently being tested and whilst a lot of interest has been shown it has not been welcomed by all the existing operators.  Those that have used the service are supportive of it.  Sally handed out a leaflet detailing the bus and ferry times for Winter and highlighted that Travel Torbay is rebranding to promote the new service.

Sally highlighted that the vessel currently being used is not the vessel as stated under the contract but is a temporary substitute vessel and has been chartered from Stewart Lines of Exmouth as it meets the requirements set out in the contract.  Free tickets for the service have been available during the trial and positive feedback has been received by those using it.

Shelters are still to be installed however there is a delay due to a contractual issue.  Sally advised that there has been a slight change to the bus stop on Leeward Lane due to a resident not being happy about its location outside their house.

A travel plan roadshow has taken place at Torbay Hospital and it is also planned to hold it at the Council and the ERC.

Cllr Brooksbank queried the price of tickets for the ferry and Sally confirmed that they are £5 single and £6 return.  There will also be weekly offers available, including a Scallop King and Scallop Queen ticket.  There is a possibility that First Great Western will also be incorporated into the tickets.  Sally highlighted that the Council are unable to dictate ticket prices due to competition.

Cllr Cowell queried whether the ferry had been suspended due to bad weather during the first week.  Sally confirmed that there had been an issue but this is partly due the chartered boat not being the same as the Brixham Express boat.  Sally advised that the Brixham Express boat has been designed to go out onto the North Sea so there should be no weather issues.  Sally advised that tickets can be pre-booked online for the service which is helpful for commuters. 

Sally Farley advised that the RTI is due to be in use by the end of January.  Additional data is still to be uploaded and screens have been ordered.  There will be a total of 13 screens located over the bay, including at Torquay and Paignton Harbours for the new ferry service.  Those stops that do not have a screen will have QR codes.  The only bus company that has declined to take part is the Tavistock Community Bus.  Sally highlighted that the smaller companies have found it easier to upload their timetable information with Stagecoach being the only bus company left to add their information.

Cllr Pountney considered that they should comply and provide their information.  It was agreed that the Chairman should approach Stagecoach if they do not provide the relevant information.

Patrick Carney presented a report on parking restrictions at Eastern Esplanade, advising that the area has previously been closed between May and September, and also at Easter.  A trial has been carried out over 18 months with the northern section remaining open under a temporary order.  A temporary order can only be in place for 18 months before it is removed or made permanent.  Properties around Paignton Green have been consulted with only one response.  Feedback has also been received from Resort/Beach Services.  Income has increased by £70k during the trial, although not all of this is additional income as some of these would have been parking in other Council car parks.  Patrick advised that it is recommended to make this permanent.

Cllr Brooksbank suggested that the road should be closed for 6 weeks in the summer holidays, and for some events.  Cllr Davies advised that she supported this as there is a risk to small children when the road is open.  She also raised concerns over cycling in the area.

Patrick confirmed that he has no objection to closing the road for six weeks during the summer holidays, however this would need to be specified as a definite start and end date.  Patrick advised that drivers will still be able to use the central road to drop off items by the pier.  An application had been made previously to change the area into a car park to allow closures for events to be made easier, however due to the objections received from the Community Partnerships this was withdrawn.

Cllr Cowell felt that the summer break would be sensible and that it would be appropriate to provide facilities for surfers etc to unload at the Redcliffe end.

Recommendation

That the northern section to remain open with a shorter closure of approximately 6 weeks during the school summer holidays between two specified dates

Proposed by:  Cllr Brooksbank

Seconded by:  Cllr Doggett

In favour: All

Patrick Carney presented a report on the results of the NHT Highway Customer Satisfaction Survey 2014.  Patrick advised that due to funding the Council now only takes part in this survey every two years.  He highlighted that item 3.3 of the report shows that the public’s satisfaction is deteriorating.  This is due to lack of money to invest in asset management.  However despite these results the Council is one of the most efficient authorities being in the best four spending the least money.   On comparison of all the roads in the South West, Torbay’s are one of the best but are placed at 67 out of 78 authorities within the survey.  Patrick highlighted that Torbay’s roads are not as bad as the public think they are, however it is felt that the public expect them to be better than they are.

Cllr Addis stated that he felt it was more of a PR issue and that more promotion of the good news needs to be carried out.  Cllr Cowell drew attention to Page 25 and the figures published.

Cllr Brooksbank queried the funding detailed in item 4.6.  Patrick advised that there was a bidding process and Torbay did better than Plymouth.  Torbay received the amount of funding that was expected whilst Devon were in the top 5 receiving £9m. submission.

Cllr Addis gave a vote of thanks for the works carried out around the Chilcote memorial in moving buses so that only one stops and waits outside Sainsburys.  Patrick Carney to monitor the situation.

Provisional date: Thursday 25^th June 2015.

Thursday 15^th January 2015 at 4pm, Meadfoot Room