Agenda item

To update Committee with progress of the 2012-13 Highways programmes funded by the Local Committee.

That the Local Committee [Epsom & Ewell] agreed to:

i]   approve the allocation of next Financial Year’s budgets as set out in Table 4;

ii]  delegate authority to the Area Team Manager to:

(a)   finalise the design of the layout of Station Approach, based on the plans outlined verbally at the meeting and in consultation with the established working group;

(b)   issue the necessary traffic orders and arrange for a consultation process which enables all interested parties, including nearby residents and commuters, to express a view on the scheme;

(c)   bring a report back to the next Local Committee for approval of the final scheme.

Reasons: To enable the Area Team Manager to begin to develop programmes of works for the next Financial Year and to find a long term solution for road space allocation in Station Approach will key stake holders.

In some areas of the Borough divisional boundaries will be moved following the May County Council elections.  There was discussion over how members should put forward schemes for areas which may no longer be in their divisions and it was agreed that members should continue to work with the existing boundaries until after the elections.

Members had concerns that the parking schemes agreed by the Committee in January 2012 had still not been completed as a result of a lack of capacity within the parking team and extra work associated with the Olympics.  Residents are frustrated at the time it takes for parking restrictions to be agreed and the next phase of proposed restrictions will now not be considered by the Committee until March 2013.  It has also recently come to members attention that the school keep clear signs are currently unenforceable until the Committee makes a further decision, which will now not be possible until March 2013.  On a proposal from Mr Kington, the Committee agreed to make a recommendation to the Cabinet Member for Transport to press for urgent action.

The Highway Area Team Manager reported that there had been some delays in schemes requiring micro asphalt, as work had been halted during the Olympics and the subsequent bad weather had meant that work could not be completed as laying of this type of surface is weather dependent.  If the weather is suitable work will begin again in March and money will be carried over to next year if schemes cannot be completed before the end of the financial year.

The Highway Area Team Manager reported that at a meeting of interested parties before the Committee meeting, it had been agreed to recommend to the Committee that the pedestrian crossing directly outside the station should be removed and the crossing at Waterloo Road extended and improved.  This would allow for space for 17 taxis, some on the south side of Station Approach acting as a feeder to bays on the north side.  There would also be two bus bays and two loading bays and 18m for pick up and drop off, sufficient for a lorry or three cars.  There would be a peak time loading ban to allow more space for commuters to be picked up and dropped off.  Such a scheme would be a priority for the pooled capital money of £100k and could use most of it, although costings have not yet been sought.  The proposals would be formally advertised and Members requested that all residents in Station Approach and Horsley Close are made aware of the proposals and invited to comment together with station users.  It was noted that the station is scheduled to be completed in February and it could take several months for any proposals to be advertised, agreed and implemented so consideration will have to be given to some interim arrangements.

Resolved:

i]   To approve the allocation of next Financial Year’s budgets as set out in Table 4;

ii]  To delegate authority to the Area Team Manager to:

(a)   finalise the design of the layout of Station Approach, based on the plans outlined verbally at the meeting and in consultation with the established working group;

(b)   issue the necessary traffic orders and arrange for a consultation process which enables all interested parties, including nearby residents and commuters, to express a view on the scheme;

(c)   bring a report back to the next Local Committee for approval of the final scheme.

iii]    [On a proposal from Mr Kington seconded by Mrs Mason]

       That this Committee expresses its concern that the arrangements for the legal enforcement of school keep clear lines in Epsom & Ewell is being delayed until March 2013 and calls upon the Cabinet Member for Transport to provide the necessary resources to enable this to be completed by January 2013.