Agenda item

This report provides an update on the 2013/14 & 2014/15 programmes of minor highway works funded by this committee as well as Section 106 (developer funded) schemes and central planned maintenance programmes for the year ahead. The report also provides an introduction to the Guildford Local Transport Strategy which will be developed over the coming months.

Details of Guildford customer enquiries to Highways have also been provided.

The Local Committee (Guildford) agreed:

(i)     To note the schedule for consultation on the Guildford Local Transport Strategy, in advance of a full report coming to the committee meeting 10th December 2014, as set out in Annex 1 of the committee report.

(ii)   That the Chertsey Street/North Street improvement scheme is deferred to a future year.       

(iii)To approve the Lengthsman bid by Ash PC to a maximum value of £4,800 subject to SCC officer scrutiny.

(iv)To introduce limited waiting bays in Sheepfold Road as shown in Annex 4 to the committee report.

(v)   To increase the allocation from the Local Committee Highways Capital  budget 2014/15 to £150,000 to support the Guildford setts project and commit to provide a third of the contribution toward the total cost for any scheme from future budgets.

Reason for decision

The Guildford Local Transport Strategy will provide a framework for future decisions on prioritising expenditure by this committee. 

The high value Chertsey Street/North Street should be deferred so that the remainder of the agreed ITS programme can be delivered within the available budget.

Guildford High Street is perhaps the most iconic road in Surrey, contributing to the charm of a historic county town which attracts thousands of visitors from around the world. It is also one of the most successful high turnover retail streets in the country.  

The quarterly highways update paper was presented by the Local Highway Services Group Manager.

The quarterly highways update paper was presented by the Local Highway Services Group Manager.

Members heard that the Capital works programme provided did not include small patching.

Officers were requested to ensure all permissions were acquired early in the light of delays to the Salt Box Road scheme due to wildlife habit requirements.

The Operation Horizon update received much feedback from members, specifically mentioned were: Pond Hill, Frog Grove Lane, Wester Road, Binton Lane, Mill Lane, Stoughton Road. Kerbs would be assessed along with road surfaces under Operation Horizon. Members requested that pavements should also be included.

The costs of the Persian New Year to Highways was noted.

The scheduled re-opening of Newark Lane following works to Newark Bridge would be investigated and local members advised.

Issues relating to drainage in several roads were highlighted particularly in the Horsleys division and in Down Lane, Compton.

It was acknowledged there was a significant backlog for the repair of pot holes and additional resources were being put into the work. New materials and technologies were also being tested. The condition of side roads and bus routes in Burpham was raised.

There would be an additional £23 million available countywide to tackle flooding recovery and £4million of this was available for resurfacing in Guildford.

Members attention was drawn to the new customer service figures available in the report.

There was an additional tabled recommendation to reserve a total of £150,000 form the 2014/15 budget towards the cost of replacing the setts in the High Street. A bid had been submitted by Guildford Borough Council to host National Armed Forces Day celebrations in 2015 and the Leader of Council advised that if the bid was successful work should not commence until after the event had taken place. An officer report would be put to Cabinet to enable the committee to carry forward the allocated funding to the next financial year. It was also noted that Thames Water should also be requested to undertake essential utilities work in advance of work on the setts commencing. It was noted that a Section 58 notice would protect the road for 5 years, but that when the setts were re-laid ease of reinstatement would be a considered.

The Local Committee (Guildford) agreed:

(i)     To note the schedule for consultation on the Guildford Local Transport Strategy, in advance of a full report coming to the committee meeting 10th December 2014, as set out in Annex 1 of the committee report.

(ii)   That the Chertsey Street/North Street improvement scheme is deferred to a future year.       

(iii)To approve the Lengthsman bid by Ash PC to a maximum value of £4,800 subject to SCC officer scrutiny.

(iv)To introduce limited waiting bays in Sheepfold Road as shown in Annex 4 to the committee report.

(v)   To increase the allocation from the Local Committee Highways Capital  budget 2014/15 to £150,000 to support the Guildford setts project and commit to provide a third of the contribution toward the total cost for any scheme from future budgets.

Reason for decision

The Guildford Local Transport Strategy will provide a framework for future decisions on prioritising expenditure by this committee. 

The high value Chertsey Street/North Street should be deferred so that the remainder of the agreed ITS programme can be delivered within the available budget.

Guildford High Street is perhaps the most iconic road in Surrey, contributing to the charm of a historic county town which attracts thousands of visitors from around the world. It is also one of the most successful high turnover retail streets in the country.