Minutes for Leicestershire County Council Highways Forum for Blaby meeting, Nov 25 2009, 6.00PM official page

The Chairman welcomed Members and officers to the meeting.

Apologies for absence were received from Mr D R Parsons CC, Mr E F White CC and Mr R C Ward DC.

There were no urgent items.

There were no declarations of interest.

Minutes of the previous meeting held on Wednesday 29th July 2009 were confirmed and signed as a true record of the meeting.

            a)         Parking problems top at High Street and Cross Street, Enderby 

Mrs Notman brought Members up to date on one issue, parking problems at High Street and Cross Street, Enderby.  Mr Bradbury agreed to send a copy of an e-mail to Mrs J Blackwell DC on accidents arising from positive drink driving tests.

Mrs Notman confirmed that the proprietor of the garage on Chestnut Road has approached county officers regarding road markings. Mr Wells agreed to take on board comments on enforcement on Chestnut Road.

A petition with 366 signatures from Mr G Lowe will be presented.  The petition requests for the removal of posts in the car park outside the Mercury News Shop, Croft Road, Cosby

Since the Council installed the posts on the far side of the car park, we have had many complaints from the public with regard to lack of parking spaces.   If you support the decision to try and get these posts removed then please sign below.

A petition with 366 signatures from Mr G Lowe will be presented. The petition requests for the removal of posts in the car park outside the Mercury News Shop, Croft Road, Cosby.

The Chairman asked Mr D Jennings CC to present the petition. Mr Jennings explained that although he supported the petition, he had not been involved in it.

Mr Jennings confirmed that there was a problem with the layby in front of the shop. When County Highways undertook improvement work outside the shop the width of the layby was reduced.

It is now very difficult for cars to manoeuvre necessitating cars reversing out which creates a danger for pedestrians. He asked that officers investigate and try to provide a solution.

Mr A C Tanner DC explained that previously the footpath was outside the shop. This was moved necessitating protection from the large oak posts. Residents have asked if the posts could be moved or re-aligned. Mr Tanner recommended that county officers meet with Mr Lowe and himself.

Mrs Notman agreed to take the comments on board and confirmed that the outcomes of investigations would be reported to the petitioner and the Lead Member within the prescribed 6 month window. A report will come to a future meeting.

The Forum considered a report by the Director of Highways, Transportation and Waste Management requesting a footpath from Stoney Stanton to Sapcote. The report was introduced by Mrs Notman with a copy filed with the minutes.

Investigations undertaken have resulted in the scheme not passing the County Council’s value for money test for funding and therefore will not be progressed.

RECOMMENDATION

That the report of the Director of Highways, Transportation and Waste Management be noted.

The Forum considered a report by the Director of Highways, Transportation and Waste Management on disabled parking bays. The report was introduced by Mrs Notman with a copy filed with the minutes.

Mrs Notman explained that the report outlines the criteria behind disabled parking bays. She went on to say that there were 2 types.

-           Advisory markings triggered by local residents meeting the criteria for a disabled bay outside their home. However, this is unenforceable by the police or local authority if someone else parks there. There is no consultation undertaken.

-           Part of a larger scheme such as waiting restrictions will provide a number of bays. This will be fully consulted on.

Mr Tanner commented on the excellence of the report but explained that Cosby Parish Council would have been liked to have been consulted on the installation of the personal parking bay in Cosby.

Mrs Notman outlined the importance of a fair and consistent approach in dealing with individual requests.

The Chairman confirmed that the County Council would not have installed the bay in Cosby if it had been dangerous.

Mr J O Hudson DC stated that the personal bays installed in Glenfield were excellent and that he would not like to see an increased layer of bureaucracy.

Mr Jennings confirmed that this was the County Council’s policy and if was changed it would need to be done for the whole of the county not just for Blaby.

RECOMMENDATION

That the report of the Director of Highways, Transportation and Waste Management be noted.

The Forum considered a report by the Director of Highways, Transportation and Waste Management on the review of the Winter Maintenance policy. The report was introduced by Mrs Notman with a copy filed with the minutes.

Mrs Notman explained that a review of winter maintenance had been carried out following the severe conditions that arose in the previous winter. The ice and snow conditions experienced were probably the worst since 1991.

Mrs Notman stated that salt supplies totalling 12,000 tonnes are now in the county’s salt barns.

RECOMMENDATION

That the report of the Director of Highways, Transportation and Waste Management be noted.

The Forum considered a report by the Director of Highways, Transportation and Waste Management on the progress being made within the county on developing School Travel Plans and the implementation of associated highway schemes. The report was introduced by Mrs Notman with a copy filed with the minutes.

Mrs Notman directed Members to:

Appendix A – schools which have developed a STP

Appendix B – schools working towards a STP

Appendix C – schools still to develop a STP

Appendix D – schemes delivered and programmed for STP

Mrs Notman confirmed that the county was well on the way to meet the LTP target to have 90% of all schools to have developed a STP by 2010/11.

Mr A D Bailey CC was disappointed to see that there were several schools in the district who had not yet developed a STP. Mr Jennings commented that several schools noted in Appendix C were private or special schools and suggested that they could be shown separately. 

RECOMMENDATION

That the report of the Director of Highways, Transportation and Waste Management be noted.

The Forum considered a report by the Director of Highways, Transportation and Waste Management on the 2009/10 maintenance and improvements programmes. The report was introduced by Mrs Notman with a copy filed with the minutes.

Mrs Notman agreed to ask officers to contact Members on the following issues:

-           speak to Mr Bailey and update him on the Little Glen Road, Glen Parva Traffic Calming scheme

-           speak to Mr J Springthorpe DC and Mr Hudson on why the consultation is on hold for the footpath scheme Glenfield Primary School

-           speak to Mrs J A Dilks DC on the A426 Bus Corridor Glen Parva scheme. Suggestion at a Parish Council meeting that bus delays are down to delays at Blaby Roundabout.

-           speak to Mr Wells on Braunstone A5460 Narborough Road South – environmental works.

RECOMMENDATIONS

i) That the report of the Director of Highways, Transportation and Waste Management be noted;

ii) that officers speak to Mr Bailey on the Little Glen Road Glen Parva traffic calming scheme;

iii) that officers speak to Mr Springthorpe and Mr Hudson on why the consultation was on hold on the Glenfield Primary School scheme;

iv) that officers speak to Mrs Dilks on the A426 Bus Corridor scheme; and

v) that officers speak to Mr Wells on the Braunstone A5460 Narborough Road South scheme.

The Forum considered a report by the Director of Highways, Transportation and Waste Management on the programme of traffic regulation orders.  The report was introduced by Mrs Notman with a copy filed with the minutes.

RECOMMENDATION

That the report of the Director of Highways, Transportation and Waste Management be noted.

There were no on-going actions.

Mrs Notman confirmed that Network Rail have been invited to the next meeting to discuss work to be undertaken in 2010.

            There were no items.

Wednesday   20th January 6.00 pm 

Wednesday   7th April                     6.00 pm

Wednesday   21st July                     6.00 pm

Wednesday   10th November          6.00 pm

The Chairman asked Members to note the agreed dates for 2010.

The Chairman thanked Members and officers for their attendance at the meeting