Agenda, decisions and minutes
PDF 553 KBVenue: Council Chamber, Pippbrook, Reigate Road, Dorking, Surrey, RH4 1SJ
Contact: Sarah J Smith, Community Partnership & Committee Officer Pippbrook, Reigate Road, Dorking, Surrey, RH4 1SJ
| No. | Item | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE AND SUBSTITUTIONS
To receive any apologies for absence and notices of substitutions from District members under Standing Order 39. Minutes: Apologies were received from Cllr Dickson; Cllr Michael was present as substitute.
Apologies were also received from Cllr Haque. |
|||||||
|
MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
To approve the Minutes of the previous meeting as a correct record. Minutes: It was agreed that the minutes of the meeting held on 16 November 2016 were a true and accurate record. |
|||||||
|
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
All Members present are required to declare, at this point in the meeting or as soon as possible thereafter (i) Any disclosable pecuniary interests and / or (ii) Other interests arising under the Code of Conduct in respect of any item(s) of business being considered at this meeting NOTES: • Members are reminded that they must not participate in any item where they have a disclosable pecuniary interest • As well as an interest of the Member, this includes any interest, of which the Member is aware, that relates to the Member’s spouse or civil partner (or any person with whom the Member is living as a spouse or civil partner) • Members with a significant personal interest may participate in the discussion and vote on that matter unless that interest could be reasonably regarded as prejudicial Minutes: No declarations of interest were received. |
|||||||
To receive any questions from Surrey County Council electors within the area in accordance with Standing Order 66. Minutes: No declarations of interest received.
Officers present:
Zena Curry, Area Highways Manager Anita Guy, Principal Highway Maintenance Engineer Anne-Marie Hannam, Senior Traffic Engineer
1. Questions submitted were tabled (see attached) and written responses were provided in advance of the meeting, but the appended document contains an updated response to Q4 from BRA.
2. Bookham Residents’ Association (BRA) asked a supplementary to Q1:
‘Whilst it is accepted that funding is not presently available for the footway provision and carriageway widening at the south end of Rectory Lane, could SCC study the improvement of pedestrian crossing facilities at the north end of Rectory Lane, at it's junction with Lower Road, in conjunction with Bookham Grange and Gracewell, the Developers of the new Care Home due to be opened in the near future. Bookham Grange are already concerned about crossing facilities for their Clients and once the Care Home is opened there will be an increase in elderly residents crossing Rectory Lane from the new west side footway being constructed by Gracewell, to go into Bookham. The north end of Rectory Lane is also a major crossing point for students going to and from Bookham to The Howard of Effingham Secondary School. Parking by parents along Rectory Lane at school closing time compounds the safety problem and it is considered that consideration of parking restrictions from Lower Road to The Grange should be part of the study.’
In response Highways’ officers stressed that any schemes would have to be prioritised for funding along with others across the district.
3. Q2 – BRA questioned the personal injury collisions record quoted and suggested that there had been a fatality at the junction within the last year. Officers explained that the accident statistics were provided by the police and that the incident in question had occurred at a different junction.
4. Q2 – Officers explained that it was not necessary to wait for the ‘Give Way’ markings to be burnt off (as stated in the written response) and that the new ones could be laid on top. Highways also agreed to check whether a HGV advisory sign on East Street has been removed and if so, whether it could be replaced.
|
|||||||
To receive any written questions from Members under Standing Order 47. Minutes: No declarations of interest received.
Officers present:
Zena Curry, Area Highways Manager Anita Guy, Principal Highway Maintenance Engineer Anne-Marie Hannam, Senior Traffic Engineer
1. Questions submitted by Members were tabled (see attached) and written responses were provided in advance of the meeting.
2. Q1 – Mr Cooksey questioned again why the report had been delayed and expressed his concern that the allocated funding might not be available to fully implement the scheme.
3. Officers explained that the delay was due to the feasibility study being a brand new piece of work for the design team, which has limited resources available. The report will definitely be presented at the next formal local committee meeting in June.
4. Very little funding would be needed to make the scheme permanent and if no local committee monies were available, officers would look to draw down PIC funds.
5. Q4 – Mr Cooksey expressed concern that only around £8,000 had been spent on the scheme in view of the fact that the funding may not be secure for the next financial year.
6. This figure had been correct at time of writing but officers advised there was still work to be carried out during March 2017 which would bring it up to between £17,000 - £20,000.
7. Q5 – Officers assured Mr Cooksey that the grit bins will be ordered and that progress would be monitored.
8. Q1 – Mrs Watson asked whether these works could be included in a regular maintenance schedule, but officers suggested that as funding is restricted, such a service could be provided by community groups.
|
|||||||
To receive any petitions in accordance with Standing Order 65 or letters of representation in accordance with the Local Protocol. An officer response will be provided to each petition / letter of representation.
A petition with 31 signatures has been received from Chris Argent on behalf of the Horsham Road Residents’ Safety Group requesting that Surrey County Council:
1) undertake an urgent road speed survey and road safety review / assessment in Horsham Road, Dorking 2) immediately install “Unsuitable for HGVs” signage at A24 and South Street junctions 3) install a traffic-calming system to slow traffic to safe limits (HRRSG propose 20 mph limit as this is a family residential road with numerous inherent risks)
Minutes: No declarations of interest received.
Officers present:
Zena Curry, Area Highways Manager Anita Guy, Principal Highway Maintenance Engineer Anne-Marie Hannam, Senior Traffic Engineer
A petition with 109 signatures was received from the Horsham Road Residents’ Safety Group and presented by Mr Chris Argent calling on Surrey County Council ‘to stop illegal and high speeding on Horsham Road, Dorking.’
The wording of the petition is:
‘We, the undersigned, request the following;
Ø Undertake an urgent road speed survey and road safety review/assessment. Ø Immediate installation of “Unsuitable for HGVs” signage at A24 and South Street junctions. Ø The installation of a traffic-calming system to slow traffic to safe limits, Horsham Road Residents Safety Group propose 20mph limit.’
Member discussion: 1. Members agreed that the report submitted by the group had been very well researched and suggested that the issue should be viewed as part of the wider problem of traffic volume and congestion in and around Dorking town centre. 2. Members also were in agreement that the road was unsuitable for HGVs; advisory signage to that effect is not sufficient and satnav providers should be advised. 3. On this point the Highways Manager stressed it was very unlikely that HGVs would be banned as it was an A road providing access to businesses on Vincent Lane, and therefore vehicles would have to be rerouted through the town centre. 4. Surrey County Council’s road safety working group is already looking at the other end of the Horsham Road, as it has a worse accident record. The Highways Manager will propose that the road is looked at as a whole. 5. It is unlikely that the police would agree to changing the speed limit which would require enforcement and traffic calming measures would not be appropriate on an A road. 6. There may be other engineering solutions such as installing Vehicle Activated Signs (VAS) to modify driver behaviour but there is limited funding across the district for such schemes, although in the future Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) money may be available through the district council. 7. The petitioner stressed that the issue was about road safety and wanted reassurance that the planned speed survey would take place during school time to accurately reflect the situation. 8. The Highways Manager explained the scheduling of the survey would need to be coordinated with other services and that the petitioner would be advised as to when it would take place. The Local Committee (Mole Valley) agreed to: (i) Note the officer’s comment
|
|||||||
|
HIGHWAY SCHEMES - END OF YEAR REPORT [EXECUTIVE FUNCTION]
This report provides an update on the progress of the highway works programme 2016- 2017 in Mole Valley.
Additional documents: Minutes: No declarations of interest received.
Officers present:
Zena Curry, Area Highways Manager Anita Guy, Principal Highway Maintenance Engineer Anne-Marie Hannam, Senior Traffic Engineer
Member discussion:
Members commented on a number of the schemes:
1. Wider Benefits Scheme (2.12) – is this project going ahead and what has been the take up on the scheme? Officers explained this was a centralised scheme funded by the LEP and will be going ahead in the new financial year. Parish councils have already been consulted regarding the location of equipment.
2. Members thanked officers for the excellent work done in schemes in Pixham Lane, Garlands Road and Woodfield Lane.
3. Highways Manager to check and revert to divisional member regarding completion of the outstanding section of Taleworth Road, Ashtead.
4. Possible crossing on A24 near to the Greville School, Ashtead does not feature in the report but officers confirmed £5,000 had been put aside from developers’ funds for a feasibility study.
5. The line painting from the previous parking review has not been completed in some places and work in those locations approved in the 2016 – 2017 should be carried out in the next two months. The Chairman requested members submit a list to the parking team (and copy him in) with details of anything outstanding with a view to having both sets of markings being carried out at the same time.
6. Safety measures A24 Deepdene Avenue, Dorking (p. 17) Highways is finalising with Skanska what work can be completed before the end of the financial year.
7. There is work outstanding in the Dorking Rural division with regard to traffic calming measures, which have been discussed with the relevant parish councils. The divisional member would like an update report to be available for the next round of parish council meetings.
8. Drainage works in Vicarage Lane and Pebble Hill Road will be carried over to the new financial year if not completed by the end of March 2017.
9. Work on installing traffic islands on Reigate Road had been delayed but contractors are now on site.
The Local Committee (Mole Valley) agreed to:
(i) note the contents of this report.
REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS:
To update the Local Committee on the progress of the highway works programme in Mole Valley
|
|||||||
|
HIGHWAYS FORWARD PROGRAMME 2017-18 [EXECUTIVE FUNCTION]
This report seeks approval of the forward programme of highway works in Mole Valley for 2017-18. Additional documents: Decision:
Minutes: No declarations of interest received.
Officers present:
Zena Curry, Area Highways Manager Anita Guy, Principal Highway Maintenance Engineer Anne-Marie Hannam, Senior Traffic Engineer
Member discussion:
1. The divisional member for Dorking Hills acknowledged that funding was already committed for two years, but following last year’s petition, would appreciate support for the installation of the pedestrian crossing in Chalkpit Lane.
2. Officers stressed that there was currently no money available to fund this scheme and, although the next year’s budget is yet to be finalised, financial pressures are widely known and the best funding option is likely to be CIL.
3. Members agreed that going forward this would require the county council to work closely with MVDC and replacing the local committee with a joint committee was still an option that could be considered after the election in May.
4. The Chairman suggested that the deadline set in recommendation (x) was too short, and it was agreed to amend this to the end of June 2017.
5. The Vice Chairman stressed again the county council’s financial challenges and that it was likely that the highways budget would be vastly reduced.
|
|||||||
|
INTRODUCTION OF BUS STOP CLEARWAYS - LEATHERHEAD AND WESTCOTT [EXECUTIVE FUNCTION]
This report seeks the Local Committee’s approval to introduce bus stop clearways (i) on the A25 Guildford Road Westcott opposite The Prince of Wales PH and (ii) in the Crescent, Leatherhead.
Additional documents: Decision: The Local Committee (Mole Valley) resolved to agree that :
(i) A clearway is introduced at the existing bus stop opposite The Prince of Wales PH on the A25 Guildford Road in Westcott. The proposed restriction to be ‘no stopping except local buses 7-7 Monday to Saturday’. (ii) Clearways are introduced at the existing bus stops in The Crescent Leatherhead The proposed restriction to be ‘no stopping except local buses at any time’.
Minutes: No declarations of interest received.
Officers present:
Anne-Marie Hannam, Senior Traffic Engineer
Member discussion:
1. Both these schemes had been supported by the relevant local divisional member.
The Local Committee (Mole Valley) resolved to agree that :
(i) A clearway is introduced at the existing bus stop opposite The Prince of Wales PH on the A25 Guildford Road in Westcott. The proposed restriction to be ‘no stopping except local buses 7-7 Monday to Saturday’. (ii) Clearways are introduced at the existing bus stops in The Crescent Leatherhead. The proposed restriction to be ‘no stopping except local buses at any time’.
|
|||||||
|
MOLE VALLEY LOCAL CYCLING PLAN [EXECUTIVE FUNCTION]
The Surrey Cycling Strategy set the objective of developing Local Cycling Plans that reflect local priorities. This report provides an update on progress made by Mole Valley District Council and Surrey County Council in working together to deliver the Action Plan, that was approved by the Local Committee on 10 September 2014 and seeks agreement to a change in focus going forward.
Additional documents: Decision:
Minutes: No declarations of interest received:
Officers present:
Dave Sharpington, Cycling Programme Team Leader Lucy O’Connell, Strategic Leadership Manager (Mole Valley District Council)
Member discussion:
1. Members complimented the officers on their report and thanked them for the positive work that had been done.
2. Work needed to continue to ensure that local businesses were not negatively impacted as a result of the cycling events organised across the district.
|
|||||||
|
LEATHERHEAD SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT PACKAGE - RESULTS OF CONSULTATION [EXECUTIVE FUNCTION]
The Leatherhead Sustainable Transport Package (STP) is a proposal for a series of highways infrastructure schemes to improve accessibility by walking and cycling in Leatherhead. Between 31 October and 11 December 2016, Surrey County Council and Mole Valley District Council carried out a public consultation exercise on the Leatherhead STP and town centre parking.
This report provides an update on the results of the consultation and seeks approval of a proposed way forward. Additional documents: Decision:
Minutes: No declarations of interest received.
Officer present:
Bronwen Chinien, Environment Policy Manager
Member discussion:
1. Members agreed that the phased approach suggested was the right way forward but that it was necessary to be realistic about the timing of the scheme.
2. Ward member for Okewood (Leader - MVDC) confirmed that this scheme contributed to Transform Leatherhead and stressed the need to maintain momentum. Local businesses set to benefit from the project may be a potential source of funding.
|
|||||||
|
RECOMMENDATIONS TRACKER [FOR INFORMATION]
The recommendations tracker provides an update on the progress of local committee decisions. Minutes: Officer present:
Sarah J Smith, Community Partnership and Committee Officer (Mole Valley)
The Local Committee (Mole Valley) noted the updated tracker. |