HTLJC 291007

HIGHWAYS AND TRANSPORTATION LOCAL JOINT COMMITTEE

29^TH OCTOBER 2007

PRESENT:

CountyCouncillors:

D Brickhill (Chair), D Flude, A Moran, P Nurse, A Richardson and M J Simon

Borough Councillors

B H Dykes, G Fenton, J I Stockton, D J Straine-Francis and R Salmon

IN ATTENDANCE:

CheshireCounty Council

Mr D Heyes Locality Manager

Mr S Boone Engineering Assistant

Mr R Welch Area Traffic Engineer

Crewe& Nantwich Borough Council

Mrs C M Jones Democratic Services Officer

Crewe& Nantwich Borough Council : Non-Committee Members

Councillor D N Bebbington

Councillor A Crawford

Councillor C G Thorley

17. DECLARATION OF INTERESTS

No Member made any declaration of interest in any item of business on the agenda.

18. MINUTES

RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the meeting held on 16^th July 2007 be approved as a correct record.

19. QUESTIONS BY ELECTORS AND PETITIONS

In accordance with County Council Standing Order No. 35, as adopted by the Local Joint Committee, Mr F Jones presented a petition in respect of footways in the Borough. The petition was presented on behalf of the Safer Pavements Action Team (SPAT) which stated –

“We the undersigned do not consider that the 2.5 cm rule should be the only criterion to define dangerous tripping hazards on pavements and flagstones.”

The Locality Manager spoke to the petition outlining the background to the County Council’s policy on paving stone trip levels, following which, the Local Joint Committee –

RESOLVED: That the Executive Member, Environment, be asked to review the County Council’s policy on this issue.

It was noted that there were no questions received from members of the public in accordance with this Standing Order.

20. ‘A’ AND ‘B’ ROADS: SPEED LIMIT REVIEW – 2007-2011

ENVIRONMENT EXECUTIVE DECISION

The report of the County Engineer informed the Local Joint Committee of the decision of the Environment Executive made on 17^th July 2007 in respect of the ‘A’ and ‘B’ Road Review.

Members noted the report, together with the Executive’s Decision.

21. ROAD CASUALTY REDUCTION MEASURES -

TRAFFIC SAFETY CAMERAS

In April 2003, the Cheshire Safety Camera Partnership was given approval by the Department for Transport to join the National Safety Camera Programme.

The report of the County Engineer provided an outline of the results over the previous 4 years of the scheme and it was noted that it continued to contribute to the reduction in road casualties.

22. ALLEY-GATING SCHEME: APPLICATIONS FOR GATING ORDERS – GROSVENOR WARD

At the previous meeting, Members considered a report relating to consultation on the policy and procedure for implementation of Gating Orders on highways, under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005.

The report of the County Engineer now submitted, gave details of a request from the Safer Communities Partnership which had made five applications for Gating Orders, all relating to adopted highways within the Grosvenor Ward.

The Local Joint Committee was asked to consider the applications and grant authority for the Orders to be made.

RESOLVED: (a) That authority be granted to advertise the proposals to make Gating Orders under Section 129A of the Highways Act 1980, the effect of which would be to restrict public use of the highways shown on the maps attached to the report submitted, at all times, on all days; and

(b) That if no objections were received, the Gating Orders be made.

(Note: In accordance with Standing Order No. 38, Borough Councillor C G Thorley spoke on this item with the permission of the Chair.)

23.

23.1 SPEED LIMIT REVIEW – ‘C’ AND UNCLASSIFIED ROADS

23.2 CHAIR’S REPORT – SPEED LIMITS – THE OLD NEWCASTLE ROAD,

BLAKELOW, SHAVINGTON, HOUGH, CHORLTON (AGENDA ITEM 16)

Following a decision by the Environment Executive, the review of speed limits on ‘A’ and ‘B’ roads was to be carried out on a county-wide basis. Review of ‘C’ and unclassified roads was to be carried out locally and in accordance with Government guidance. The report of the County Engineer (Agenda item 7) proposed a means of prioritising speed limit reviews on these roads.

The Local Joint Committee considered the report of the County Engineer alongside the report of the Chair (Agenda item 16) which proposed changes to speed limits on the “old” Newcastle Road.

The Locality Manager spoke against the proposals in the Chair’s report, on the basis that to introduce an additional scheme which required significant resources, both in staff time and budget allocation, could have a detrimental effect upon the delivery of the agreed programme which, in turn, could have an effect upon the County Council’s performance indicators.

RESOLVED:

(a) That the speed limits be reviewed at Stoneley Road, Crewe, Moss Lane, Leighton and Colleys Lane, Willaston, and proposals be submitted to a future meeting of the Local Joint Committee;

(b) That a list of locations which may meet the criteria as a village under the Department for Transport’s Circular 01/2006 be submitted to the meeting of the Local Joint Committee in January 2008, for prioritisation; and

24. PETITIONS RECEIVED – DEMAND FOR SAFER PAVEMENTS IN THE BOROUGH OF CREWE AND NANTWICH

It was recalled that a petition had been submitted to the previous meeting by the Safer Pavements Action Team (SPAT) demanding safer pavements in the borough.

The report of the County Engineer invited the Local Joint Committee to receive the petition and to resolve that the treatment of footways be progressed through Routine and Structural Maintenance Operations.

RESOLVED:

(a) That the Local Joint Committee record its dissatisfaction with the repair of footways in the borough; and

(b) That the appropriate Executive Member be asked to review the operation of routine and structural maintenance of these.

25. PETITIONS RECEIVED – REQUEST FOR “PROHIBITION OF WAITING” ORDER, LONDON ROAD, NANTWICH

The report of the County Engineer gave details of a petition received from residents of Wrights Court, Nantwich regarding difficulties caused by parked vehicles on London Road, Nantwich.

RESOLVED:

(a) That the concerns of residents be noted; and

(b) That a bus clearway be installed as indicated on Plan 1 attached to the report submitted.

26. PETITIONS RECEIVED – REQUESTS FOR PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS,

BRADFIELD ROAD AND REMER STREET, CREWE

The report of the County Engineer gave details of petitions received requesting the installation of pedestrian crossings on Bradfield Road, Crewe and Remer Street, Crewe respectively.

RESOLVED:

(a) That the concerns of residents be noted;

(b) That, in respect of Remer Street, Crewe, this be added to the list of locations awaiting pedestrian crossings; and

(c) That a further report be submitted to a future meeting of the Local Joint Committee following completion of an on-site detailed assessment in respect of Bradfield Road, Crewe.

(Note: In accordance with Standing Order No. 38, Borough Councillor D N Bebbington spoke on this item with the permission of the Chair.)

27. PUBLIC CONSULTATION RESULTS FOR WELSH ROW (NANTWICH) ENVIRONMENTAL ENHANCEMENTS

At its meeting held on 23^rd April 2007, the Local Joint Committee authorised a full public consultation to be undertaken in respect of the Welsh Row Enhancement Scheme.

The report of the County Engineer gave details of the results of the consultation exercise and highlighted the issues raised. The Local Joint Committee was asked to grant authority to advertise the appropriate proposals.

RESOLVED:

(a) That authority be granted to advertise the proposals to introduce a weight limit order, the effect of which would be to prevent heavy commercial vehicles over 7.5 tonnes from proceeding along the lengths of roads shown on Plan 4 attached to the report, except for access; and

(b) That if no objections were received, the Order be made.

28. PROPOSED “PROHIBITION OF WAITING” ORDER -

COPPICEMERE DRIVE, ELECTRA WAY, MALLARD WAY AND

WESTMERE DRIVE, CREWE (CREWE BUSINESS PARK)

At its meeting held on 11^th July 2005, the Local Joint Committee resolved to advertise a proposal to introduce parking restrictions on Crewe Business Park. In view of the number of objections received Members requested that a further consultation exercise be carried out.

The report of the County Engineer gave details of the outcome of the consultation exercise and the Local Joint Committee was asked to grant authority to advertise the proposals as detailed in the report.

There was a wide ranging discussion, and Members were minded to defer the item. The Committee was informed by Officers that the proposals were a solution to road safety issues and deferral until the next meeting would not be of benefit; the road safety issues would prevail in 3 months’ time if no amelioration measures were introduced.

RESOLVED: That the matter be deferred to the January 2008 meeting.

29. REQUESTS FOR PROHIBITION OF WAITING– DUKE STREET, CREWE,

THE BEECHES, NANTWICH AND NEWTON STREET, CREWE

Requests had been received for consideration to be given to introducing parking restrictions on Duke Street, Crewe, Newton Street, Crewe, and The Beeches, Nantwich. The report of the County Engineer gave details of the requests and invited the Local Joint Committee to authorise the advertisement of the appropriate Orders.

RESOLVED:

(a) That authority be granted to advertise the proposals to make prohibition of waiting orders, the effect of which would be to prohibit waiting at all times on the following lengths of road –

(i) Duke Street, Crewe from its junction with Wistaston Road to its cul-de-sac;

(ii) The Beeches, Nantwich from its junction with Pratchitts Row and Station Road Eastwards for a distance of 70 metres;

(iii) Newton Street, Crewe from its junction with Meredith Street, Southwards for a distance of 74 metres to the West boundary of No. 7 Newton Street

(b) That if no objections were received, the Orders be made.

30. PROPOSED SPEED LIMIT, MAIN ROAD, WORLESTON

The report of the County Engineer up-dated the Local Joint Committee on the proposal to introduce a speed limit in Worleston, Nantwich.

The Local Joint Committee was asked to resolve that authority be granted to advertise the appropriate “Prohibition of Waiting” Orders, as detailed in the report.

RESOLVED:

(a) That authority be granted to advertise the proposals to make a speed limit order, the effect of which would be to introduce a 30 mph speed limit on –

(i) Main Road, Worleston between a point approximately 210m North of its junction with Station Road and a point approximately 150m North of its junction with Barons Road.

(ii) Station Road, Worleston from its junction with Main Road to a point 10m East of its junction with Barons Road.

(b) That if no objections were received, the Order be made.

31. A534 CREWE ROAD, WISTASTON – HEAVY COMMERCIAL VEHICLES

At the previous meeting, the Local Joint Committee was informed of the receipt of a petition in respect of the effects of heavy commercial vehicles on the A534 Crewe Road through Willaston and Wistaston.

The report of the County Engineer up-dated Members on developments.

32. PROGRESS REPORTS

The Local Joint Committee received the report of the County Engineer which up-dated the Local Joint Committee on highway schemes to be carried out within the Borough during 2007/2008 and Traffic Regulation Orders which have been approved by the Local Joint Committee but not yet implemented.

33. DATE OF NEXT MEETING

28^th January 2008