Agenda item

This report summarises progress with the Local Committee’s programme of Highways works for the current Financial Year 2018-19.

Committee is asked to agree the strategy for allocation of Joint Committee Highways budgets for next Financial Year 2019-20.  Further Committee is asked to agree a programme of Integrated Transport Schemes (ITS schemes) for next Financial Year 2019-20.

The Local Committee [Epsom & Ewell] agreed:

(i)       The strategy for allocation of Joint Committee Highways budgets for next Financial Year 2019-20 as set out in Table 4 of the report;

(ii)      To authorise the Area Highway Manager to advertise the statutory notice for a new Zebra Crossing in Waterloo Road, as shown in Annex A of the report, and to implement this new Zebra Crossing using s106 funding arising out of the redevelopment of Epsom Station;

(iii)    The programme of ITS schemes for next Financial Year 2019-20 as set out in Table 6 of the report;

(iv)    To the removal of seven schemes from the prioritisation list in Annex B, the scheme at Fair Green to be retained;

(v)     To 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.

(vi)    To note with disappointment that for 2019/2020 the Local Highway budget will, once again, be cut which can only lead to a reduced highway maintenance service to the residents of Epsom & Ewell.

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 its 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

Members would like to see the new layby proposed near Chuters Grove progressed as the current situation is leading to congestion.

The ward member thanked the officers for the proposals for West Park Road which meet most of the residents expectations.  He asked whether the double yellow lines requested would be part of this work.  The Area Highways Manager responded that they are not part of this package, but he would check to see if they had been included in the parking review and respond to the member.  He confirmed that other issues would be considered and would be addressed within the limits of the funding available from the developer.  Anything outstanding would need to be considered by the Committee and prioritised for further funding.

Cllr Kington expressed disappointment that the funding allocated to the Committee had been reduced again as this is used to address issues which are important for residents.  He proposed an additional recommendation to this effect which was seconded by Cllr Teasdale.

The divisional member queried the justification of a cost of £35,640 for the proposed bus shelter on Woodcote Green.  The Area Highways Manager would ask for a breakdown of the cost from the passenger transport team, but the decision to allocate this funding had been made by Epsom & Ewell Borough Council.

It was noted that in relation to the Fair Green scheme, the delay in response from the Borough Council was as a result of a miscommunication.  SCC Officers were now in contact with the correct Borough officers and were awaiting a reply.  It was therefore agreed that this scheme should be retained.

Noted that the businesses in Waterloo Road were concerned at the loss of parking associated with the proposal for a new zebra crossing and that local members may no longer be in favour of this proposal.  It was agreed to proceed with the recommendation to give the necessary authority should the proposal be taken forward.

Resolved: 

(i)       That the strategy for allocation of Joint Committee Highways budgets for next Financial Year 2019-20 as set out in Table 4 of the report, be agreed;

(ii)      To authorise the Area Highway Manager to advertise the statutory notice for a new Zebra Crossing in Waterloo Road, as shown in Annex A of the report, and to implement this new Zebra Crossing using s106 funding arising out of the redevelopment of Epsom Station;

(iii)    That the programme of ITS schemes for next Financial Year 2019-20 as set out in Table 6 of the report be agreed;

(iv)    To remove seven schemes from the prioritisation list in Annex B, the scheme at Fair Green to be retained;

(v)     To 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.

(vi)    [Councillor Mountain voted against] To note with disappointment that for 2019/2020 the Local Highway budget will, once again, be cut which can only lead to a reduced highway maintenance service to the residents of Epsom & Ewell.

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 its 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.