Issue - meetings

This report summarises the feasibility work and further consultation carried out during the review of Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) movements through the study area.

The report also outlines the proposed measures for HGV management, including safe measures to conserve and enhance country lanes within the area that have been considered during this process and puts forward a recommended strategic concept for Local Committee approval.

The Local Committee (Mole Valley) agreed to:

(i)            Support dialogue with relevant Guildford, Waverley and Mole Valley county, district and parish councillors to address concerns regarding HGV movements and interventions in the area. Further dialogue is required.

REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS:

To enable key stakeholders to explore wider solutions to HGV management.

Declarations of Interest: None

Officers attending: Zena Curry, Area Highway Manager

Petitions, Public Questions, Statements: None

Member Discussion – key points:

1          The Chairman welcomed the Chairman of Guildford Local Committee . He had been involved in developing this scheme over the last 3-4 years and wanted to address any possible misunderstandings relating to the proposed pilot.

2.         He explained that work on the scheme had started in 2014 with the agreement of key county members and that extensive consultation had been carried out. The pilot being proposed was just a small test to see whether the use of signage would be sufficient in managing HGV movements. He expressed concern that if the scheme was not now progressed an opportunity to tackle this problem would have been lost.

3.         Mole Valley members expressed concern that the scheme would result in increased HGV traffic on Mole Valley roads and as an example highlighted one of the signs in the annex showing traffic from Shere being directed through Abinger Hammer.

4.         The divisional member for Dorking Hills had attended some initial meetings of a working group but had not been involved in developing the plan. The remaining committee members had not been aware of the scheme before its inclusion in the agenda papers for this meeting.

5.         Members were fully aware of residents' wishes to see the volume of HGV traffic reduced but queried this proposal to direct vehicles onto 'B' rather than 'A' roads, as these roads were already heavily used.

6.         A representative of Abinger Hammer Parish Council present at the meeting confirmed that it had not  been consulted on the plans and stressed the need to protect communities fairly. Proper consultation should be carried out with those affected and the views of parish councils should be sought.

7.         The divisional member for Bookham and Fetcham West commented on a scheme to deter HGV traffic that was introduced in Bookham Village. The installation of advisory signage had not been successful in reducing the volume of HGV vehicles. She also highlighted that residents may be surprised to learn which types of vehicles  would not be excluded by the 7.5 T maximum signs as shown in Annex A.

8.         The Chairman had received a request from members prior to the meeting to defer this report, but he had decided not to exclude it so that members could have the opportunity to discuss the proposals.

9.         Members agreed that they could not support the recommendations included in the report but agreed on a revised wording proposed by the Chairman and seconded by the divisional member for Dorking Rural, to enable further discussions to take place.

Resolution:

The Local Committee (Mole Valley) agreed to:

(i)            Support dialogue with relevant Guildford, Waverley and Mole Valley county, district and parish councillors to address concerns regarding HGV movements and interventions in the area. Further dialogue is required.

REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS:

To enable key stakeholders to explore wider solutions to HGV management.