Archived decisions
AT A MEETING of the TEST VALLEY HIGHWAY MANAGEMENT ADVISORY PANEL held at the Castle, Winchester, on Tuesday 21 October 2003.
PRESENT:
Hampshire County Council:
Councillors: M.J. Woodhall (Chairman); A.G. Dowden; D.A. Kirk; P.A. Pierce; Mrs P.A. West.
Test Valley Borough Council:
Councillors: R.J. Bailey; M.D. Hatley; Mrs S. Leach; J.T. Hall.
34. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Members were mindful that, where they believed they had a personal or personal prejudicial interest in any matter to be considered at the meeting, they should, normally at the time of debate declare their interest, and having regards to the circumstances described in paragraphs 9, 10, 11 and 12 of the County Council's Code of Conduct, consider whether to leave the meeting whilst the matter was discussed.
35. MINUTES
The Minutes of the meeting held on 28 February 2003 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
Arising thereon:
Minute 24 - Street Lighting Programmes 2002/03 and 2003/04
Members were informed that the street lighting scheme at The Harrage, Romsey had been completed.
Minute 26 - Casualty Reduction and Safer Routes to School Capital Programmes
Following concerns raised by Members, overhanging vegetation on the A3090, Jermyns Lane had been cut back.
Minute 29 - Hampshire Highways Weather Emergencies
Members were advised that on the 10 July 2003 the `Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003' had received Royal Assent. As a result of this Act Highway Authorities had become responsible for ensuring `so far as is reasonably practicable that safe passage along the highway is not endangered by snow and ice'.
Minute 30 - Hampshire Highways Abandoned Vehicles
Councillor Kirk requested that officers investigate the abandoned vehicles located in a lay-by on the A342 near Ludgershall.
36. CHAIRMANS COMMUNICATIONS
The Chairman notified Members that the County Council had appointed Councillor Glen as Executive Member for Spatial Strategy
37. DEPUTATIONS
There were no deputations.
38. DEVELOPMENT CONTROL SERVICE REVIEW AND UPDATE ON DISTRICT AGENCY ARRANGEMENTS
The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 5 in the Minute Book) updating Members on the current position of district agency arrangements and the Highways Development Control Review.
A service review of highways development control activity had been completed and negotiations were taking place in order to implement several service changes. A target date for implementation had been set for 1 April 2004.
Officers answered Members' detailed questions concerning the impact of these changes. In particular concerns were raised over the workload implications that the Highways Development Control agency arrangements would have on the County Council's legal department. Members also raised concerns about delays on the part of developers in completing the construction of roads and footways to a standard where they could be adopted by the Highway Authority.
RESOLVED:
i) That the report be noted.
ii) Given that District Councils will, under the agreed changes to management arrangements for the delivery of the highways development control service, no longer be undertaking legal work relating to Section 38 agreements, the Director of Environment be advised to liaise with the County Council's legal practice to ensure adequate resources are available to deliver Section 38 and 278 Agreements within acceptable timescales.
39. TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT PROGRAMMES 2003/04
The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 6 in the Minute Book) detailing the main programmes of Traffic Management work in the Test Valley area in 2003/04.
Officers answered Members' detailed questions on individual traffic management and parish partnership schemes, as set out in the appendices to the report. Further recommendations for future programmes, including the reclassification of Redbridge Lane and the A3057, were also noted. Particular attention was paid to the proposed 30 miles per hour speed limit on Baddesley Road, Chandlers Ford. This scheme was unlikely to be implemented until the proposed cycle path on the same stretch of road had been completed.
During the discussion Councillor Pierce declared an interest in the Abbots Ann scheme and Councillor Hall declared an interest in the Nursling and Rownhams scheme.
RESOLVED:
That the report be noted.
40. HIGHWAY MAINTAINENCE AND MINOR CAPITAL WORKS PROGRAMME 2003/04
The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 7 in the Minute Book) outlining progress with regard to the 2003/04 Highway Maintenance and Minor Capital Works programmes, as well as giving an update on the 2003/04 Highway Maintenance budget.
Members were informed of a correction to appendix 1 of the report. Gully Cleansing had been assigned £28,000 in the 2003/04 budget rather than the reported £20,000.
Officers updated Members' on the status of the revenue and capital programme budgets before answering questions. It was reported that, largely due to unforeseen expenses with the drainage works at Appleshaw and Little Somborne, several schemes would need to slip into the first quarter of 2004/05.
Officers were requested to investigate the problems caused by the growth of weeds in gutters and pavements. The extent of the problem was acknowledged, and a review of the County Council's policy was being undertaken.
The Chairman made Members aware that the County Council was experimenting with the use of the `Jet Patcher' on certain roads in Hampshire. Members were invited to visit one of the sites to see how the Patchers worked.
RESOLVED:
That the report be noted.
41. UPDATE ON THE PROGRESS OF APPROVED TRANSPORT CAPITAL PROGRAMME SCHEMES
The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 8 in the Minute Book) updating Members on transport schemes within the Capital Programme that had been approved by project appraisal for implementation in the Test Valley area.
It was reported that:
i) Weyhill Road Traffic Management and Cycle Provision - Work was in progress although it had been delayed by the discovery of asbestos during excavation of the existing footway. Members congratulated Officers on their swift response to this problem which had allowed local fears to be alleviated.
ii) Floral Way Traffic Calming - This scheme had been completed.
iii) Weyhill Portway Cycle Link - This scheme had been completed subject to possible remedial works following a safety audit.
iv) Kings Sombourne Village Enhancement - This scheme had been completed.
v) Romsey Movement and Access Plan - The scheme would be progressed further once Traffic Regulation Orders had been made.
vi) Valley Park to Hilingbury Cycleway - Improvements to the traffic signals at the junction of Baddesley Road and Hursley Road had been approved by project appraisal and were due to be completed by February 2004. However the cycle track and bridge had slipped into the 2005/06 programme. Members raised concerns that by delaying the scheme, the much needed speed limit on Baddesley Road would also be delayed.
There was further discussion concerning the County Council's practise of replacing paving slabs. It was reported that replacing individual slabs tended to destabilise those around it and was therefore not the most cost effective method. Therefore broken slabs were generally removed and replaced with tarmac, once a significant area was in disrepair then the whole section would be repaved.
RESOLVED:
That the report be noted.
42. OTHER PROGRAMMES 2003/04
The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 9 in the Minute Book) outlining progress with regard to other programmes and initiatives within the Environment Department.
Officers answered Members questions concerning the programmes and initiatives referred to in the report, paying particular attention to the Safer Routes to School Programme. Members requested that local residents and Members be kept informed of the progress made by individual schools.
The Chairman distributed a document showing the number of casualties on roads in Hampshire since 1983. The figures showed a decline in the number of serious injuries.
RESOLVED:
That the report be noted.
43. STREET LIGHTING
The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (item 10 in the Minute Book) detailing progress made in Street Light Maintenance, Column Replacement, the Community Safety Initiative and the purchase of energy from 2004 onwards.
Three of the five key performance indicators for Street Lighting Maintenance were being met. Efforts were being made to improve on the levels for the remaining two performance indicators.
It was reported that an estimated £50 million would be needed over the next ten years for the replacement of 50,000 lighting units. Members suggested the possibility of working in partnership with Parish Councils on individual column replacement programmes.
RESOLVED:
That the report be noted.
44. CONTROL OF RAGWORT
The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (item 11 in the Minute Book) outlining the problems associated with common Ragwort and detailing what is being done to control the weed within the confines of the public highway in Hampshire.
It was reported that due to legislation going through Parliament it was likely that the County Council, as the Highway Authority, would have to take all reasonable steps to control the spread of Ragwort from its land. Therefore the County Council's policy towards Ragwort was being reviewed in line with the proposed Bill.
All agreed that it was important to work in partnership with other authorities and private land owners in order to tackle this problem.
RESOLVED:
That the report be noted.
45. THE CONSTRUCTION OF VEHICULAR CROSSINGS FOR PRIVATE ACCESSES
The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 12 in the Minute Book) detailing the changes to the procedure for dealing with the construction of vehicular accesses, enabling works to be carried out by either Hampshire Highways or an approved private contractor.
Following a review of the provision of vehicular crossings a new procedure is proposed which would allow either the Highways Authority or a privately appointed contractor to undertake the work.
Concerns were expressed at the value for money that the County Council offered when compared to a private contractor. Officers confirmed that the Council made no profit through the new process. Studies had been undertaken to compare costs with other contractors; these had shown that the Council was charging an average cost for a more comprehensive service. As the Council was trying to encourage off street parking, Members suggested that maybe the provision of vehicular crossings could be subsidised. Officers would investigate this possibility but felt that it was likely that any subsidy would have to come from the Highway Maintenance budget. The Chairman felt that the new procedure did represent good value for the public.
RESOLVED:
That the report be noted.
46. DATE, TIME AND VENUE FOR THE NEXT MEETING OF THE PANEL.
Members noted the dates of the forthcoming Test Valley Highway Management Advisory meetings as follows: -
Tuesday 30 March 2003, and
Tuesday 19 October 2003 (rather than 19 September 2003 as stated on the agenda).
Both meetings would commence at 10.00 am.