Agenda item

The Local Committee (Mole Valley) agreed to:

      i.        Note the contents of the report and

resolved to agree to

ii       approve the transfer of the £30,000 Dorking Sustainable Transport Package funding from Bus Stop E to provision of Real Time Passenger Information at the bus stops at Dorking Main railway station.

Reasons for decision:

To (i) update the Local Committee on the progress of highway works programme and (ii) ensure available funding provides best value for money.

No declarations of interest received.

Officer present:

Anita Guy (AG), Principal Engineer, South East Area Team

Members’ discussion:

Chris Townsend advised that in connection with the 20mph Speed Limit Outside Schools scheme, the Freemans School was in a position to provide some funding for a crossing. He expressed some reservations about this and wanted to know whether residents would be consulted on proposals. AG confirmed that she had met with representatives of the school and that the design team was looking to incorporate it into the scheme. Once funds were allocated they would go out to consultation.

Mr Townsend was also waiting for a response from Highways regarding the micro asphalt work in Taleworth Road, which should have started last Wednesday but no work had been taken place. He had queried why works had not been carried out during half term and why he had only been advised of the planned work, four days in advance of the proposed start date. The Chairman agreed that there had recently been some errors in communications with regard to works on the highway. It was explained that the micro asphalt schemes have to be done in two stages ie pre-patching first. AG apologised for the poor communication but assured Members they were working to improve this.

Cllr Seed referred to the 20mph trial outside Fetcham Village Infant School and pointed out that while the school was having building work done the entrance had temporarily been moved to a gate on the boundary of the 20mph zone. This entrance was still being used although the work had now finished and she asked whether the zone could be extended. As a governor of the school the Chairman confirmed this was a permanent change and recommended that the boundary of the 20mph should be checked. He added that the zone in Bell Lane should also be checked as Thames Water was carrying out work there.

Hazel Watson asked about progress on the design for the kerb build out in Pixham Lane with junction of the A24. AG confirmed that she had recently received drawings that she will share shortly with the Chairman, Vice-Chair and divisional member.

Stephen Cooksey agreed with the Chairman’s comments on communications from Highways. Following the resurfacing work in Dorking town centre a review had been promised on how this had been handled but he was not aware that it had taken place.

Mr Cooksey pointed out that the provision of grit bins and footway works under the Localism Initiative had not been carried out and wanted to know why the funds allocated to the Beare Green – Spook Hill cycle way had not been spent. In this regard AG explained that there had been resource issues and that it had taken longer than anticipated to design the barriers, by which time it had been too late to reallocate the funding to other parts of the scheme. The ‘underspend’ will be discussed with the Chairman and Vice-Chair with a recommendation to allocate funds to the cycle scheme for the next financial year.

The Chairman was also not aware whether the review on communications relating to the resurfacing of Dorking had been carried out. Committee Officer to follow up with Works Communications Team.

Cllr Haque wanted to know what could be done about speeding on Kennel Lane and compared it to the High Street in Bookham which will be benefitting from measures to address similar problems. The Chairman urged him to pass on complaints to the divisional member, Mrs Curran who pointed out that it was not possible to compare the two roads. There had been two speed surveys over the last five or six years in Kennel Lane and that there has been no evidence of excessive speed.

The Local Committee (Mole Valley) agreed to:

      i.        Note the contents of the report and

resolved to agree to

ii       approve the transfer of the £30,000 Dorking Sustainable Transport Package funding from Bus Stop E to provision of Real Time Passenger Information at the bus stops at Dorking Main railway station.

Reasons for decision:

To (i) update the Local Committee on the progress of highway works programme and (ii) ensure available funding provides best value for money.