Issue - meetings

This report summarises progress with the Local Committee’s programme of Highways works for the current Financial Year 2019-20.

Committee is asked to agree the strategy for allocation of Local Committee budgets for next Financial Year 2020-21.

That the Local Committee [Epsom & Ewell] agreed:

(i)       To approve the provisional allocation of assumed budgets for 2020-21 as shown in Table 3 of the report;

(ii)      On a vote [9 votes FOR to 1 AGAINST] to confirm the decision to construct the cycle way in Waterloo Road;

(ii)   Authorise the Area Highway Manager in consultation with the Chairman, Vice-Chairman, and relevant Divisional Member(s) to undertake all necessary procedures to deliver the agreed programmes.

Reasons: 

Recommendations are made to facilitate development of Committee’s 2019-20

Highways programmes, while at the same time ensuring that the Chairman, Vice

Chairman and relevant Divisional Members are fully and appropriately involved in

any detailed considerations.

Committee is asked to provide the necessary authorisation to deliver those

programmes of work in consultation with the Chairman, Vice Chairman and relevant

Divisional Member without the need to revert to the Committee as a whole.

Declarations of Interest: None

Officers attending: Nick Healey, Area Highways Manager

Petitions, Public Questions/Statements: None

Member discussion –key points

In relation to the planting of more trees as announced earlier in the meeting, a member asked where the trees will be planted and when the new policy on planting highway trees would be published.  The Area Highways Manager indicated that he would be drafting the policy and a very small proportion of the trees will be planted in the highway as there is little scope for changing the current requirements around pavement widths and the avoidance of utilities.  The team are working with RHS Wisley to consider whether there are any woody shrubs which may be suitable for verge planting, but these may require more maintenance.

The Area Highways Manger indicated that the CIL funding allocated to the Borough will be used to provide additional cycle facilities, any money allocated for tree planting will be returned as there is insufficient space.

Noted in Table 4 that the extension of the street lighting is in the path connecting to West Street and that the report should be amended.

Members discussed the Waterloo Road proposals and the Area Highways Manager confirmed that there is no requirement to move the bus stop in order to construct the cycle way.

Members requested frequent and regular updates on the progress with projects and spend within their divisions.

Members discussed the response to the member question in item 7.  They felt that it was unacceptable for the bus to stay in this town centre location, other than to pick up and drop off passengers, as it is causing delays to drivers as well as emergency vehicles.  They requested that the appropriate officers attend the next informal meeting with a solution which can be implemented in the next few months.

Resolved:

(i)       To approve the provisional allocation of assumed budgets for 2020-21 as shown in Table 3 of the report;

(ii)      On a vote [9 votes FOR to 1 AGAINST] to confirm the decision to construct the cycle way in Waterloo Road;

(ii)   Authorise the Area Highway Manager in consultation with the Chairman, Vice-Chairman, and relevant Divisional Member(s) to undertake all necessary procedures to deliver the agreed programmes.

Reasons: 

Recommendations are made to facilitate development of Committee’s 2019-20

Highways programmes, while at the same time ensuring that the Chairman, Vice

Chairman and relevant Divisional Members are fully and appropriately involved in

any detailed considerations.

Committee is asked to provide the necessary authorisation to deliver those

programmes of work in consultation with the Chairman, Vice Chairman and relevant

Divisional Member without the need to revert to the Committee as a whole.