Agenda and minutes

1.1       The Lead Member approved as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 27 April 2015.

2.1       Reports referred to in the minutes below are contained in the minute book.

Report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport

3.1       The Lead Member considered a report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport, which presented a response to a petition presented to the County Council in February 2015.

3.2       Councillor Colin Clibbons, a representative from Rotherfield Parish Council, together with the landlady of the Kings Arms, spoke regarding current conditions and provided photographic evidence of recent events in the village centre, and to express concern regarding the proposed removal of parking spaces on the High Street. Councillor Clibbons produced a further petition opposing the removal of parking. 

DECISION

3.3       RESOLVED to (1) advise the petitioners that the County Council are currently investigating measures to improve Heavy Goods Vehicles’ movements in the centre of Rotherfield as an alternative to a 7.5 tonne weight limit including reviewing and enhancing existing signage;

(2) request an investigation of the feasibility of introducing a maximum length of vehicle using the relevant section of the B2100;

(3) request an investigation of the viability of a scheme to improve the railway bridge at Jarvis Brook, with discussions to include local and neighbouring County Councillors, Crowborough Town Council, Rotherfield Parish Council, hauliers, Sussex Police  and Network Rail. 

Reasons

3.4       Proposals are currently being developed to better manage HGV movements through Rotherfield as an alternative to the introduction of a 7.5 tonne weight limit.  A range of options will be investigated, including Keep Clear markings, a maximum length specification and the alternative routes available.  A feasibility study will be undertaken regarding improving the bridge at Jarvis Brook, which may increase the options available regarding alternative routing, to enable discussions to take place between interested parties. 

Report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport

4.1       The Lead Member considered a report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport, which presented a response to a petition presented to the County Council in February 2015.

4.2       Ms West as the Lead Petitioner spoke to set out the background to the petition and repeat the request for a light controlled crossing. 

DECISION

4.3       RESOLVED to advise the petitioners that (1) a scheme to convert the existing zebra crossing outside the school to a light controlled puffin crossing has been assessed using the scheme prioritisation process for local transport improvements;

(2) the scheme is not of sufficient priority to be considered for funding through the Capital Programme for Local Transport Improvements; and

(3) they may wish to consider working with the school and Eastbourne Borough Council to submit an application for the scheme to be considered for potential match funding as part of the County Council’s Community Match Initiative.

Reasons

4.4       A crossing scheme will not be taken forward at this time as it has been assessed using the approved scheme prioritisation process, and is not of sufficient priority for funding through the capital Programme for local transport improvements.  The petitioners may however wish to consider approaching the school and Eastbourne Borough Council to ascertain the level of support for an application for the scheme to be match funded through the Community Match Initiative.

Report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport

5.1       The Lead Member considered a report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport, which presented a response to a petition presented to the County Council in February 2015. He read out a letter received from the Lead Petitioner, praising officers for their work.   He also noted the written comments of Councillor Simmons, the Local Member, provided in advance of the meeting.

DECISION

5.2       RESOLVED to (1) advise the petitioners that the U7599 Flitterbrook Lane and Bakery Lane has a good safety record and that the introduction of a lower speed limit, engineering measures or permanent fixed signing is not a priority for the County Council at the present time; and

(2) to advise the petitioners that they may wish to consider working with the local Parish Council to submit an application for the scheme to be considered for potential match funding as part of the County Council’s Community Match Initiative.

Reasons

5.3       The U7599 Flitterbrook Lane and Bakery Lane has a very good safety record, with no injury crashes being reported to Sussex Police in the latest 3 years.  Due to this safety record, engineering measures or permanent fixed signs are not a priority for the County Council at the present time.

5.4       The County Council acknowledges that some pedestrians and horse riders will need to use Flitterbrook Lane and Bakery Lane. The Road Safety Team will therefore arrange for temporary posters with a suitable safety message to be put up to remind drivers to slow down as vulnerable road users may be present.  

Report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport

6.1       The Lead Member considered a report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport, which presented a response to a petition presented to the County Council in February 2015.

6.2       Mr White of the Piltdown Residents’ Association spoke regarding the petition and the report, and in particular the data used to support the findings of the report. 

6.3       Officers confirmed that the cost of a three site speed survey, similar to that conducted in 2009, would be in the region of £1200.

DECISION

6.4       RESOLVED to confirm that the County Council would match fund a three site speed survey to provide up to date information, if the Parish Council provided the other half of the funds.

Reasons

6.5       In the Road Safety Team’s experience introducing a 40mph may not make the road any safer as it might actually increase the average speed of traffic on the narrower and more developed parts of the road; however more up to date traffic speed information will be sought, provided funds can be secured, to support further consideration of this issue. 

Report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport

7.1       The Lead Member considered a report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport, which presented a response to a petition presented to the County Council in March 2015.

7.2       Ms Hinton spoke in support of the petition, and the Lead Member noted the written comments of Councillor Wallis, the Local Member, provided in advance of the meeting.   

DECISION

7.3       RESOLVED to advise the petitioners that the request will be considered as part of the next review of parking in Eastbourne.  Consultation will need to take place to see if there is a desire from the wider community for such a scheme to be introduced.

Reasons

7.4       Controlled parking must have the support of local residents and businesses.  Any new parking scheme also needs to strike a balance for the needs of all users and requires extensive consultation.  The petitioners’ request will be included for initial consultation as part of the next parking review in Eastbourne, scheduled to begin in November 2015.

Report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport

8.1       The Lead Member considered a report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport.

DECISION

8.2       RESOLVED to (1) agree that a further public consultation should take place on the possible introduction of a 20mph scheme covering the eastern side of the Malling area of Lewes, as part of the 2015/16 capital programme for local transport improvements; and

(2) request a desk top study of design options, with costings, based on the original  traffic calming features proposed for Old Malling Way and Church Lane (part of) prior to a decision as to whether to go out to public consultation on a revised scheme. 

Reasons

8.3       A petition to introduce a 20mph speed limit in Malling was presented to the County Council in June 2013, and a scheme was subsequently designed, advertised and consulted on.  Objections to the scheme, in particular to the traffic calming features in Old Malling Way/Church Lane, were received during the consultation period.  The objections were considered and upheld by the Planning Committee.  It remains to be seen if there is still an appetite for a 20mph speed limit in the western part of Malling, and whether a revised traffic calming scheme design is likely to draw further objections.   

Report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport

9.1       The Lead Member considered a report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport.

DECISION

9.2       RESOLVED to (1) note the concerns raised by the objectors; and

(2) approve the introduction of an advisory disabled by in Sandown Road, Hastings.

Reasons

9.3       The need for the disabled bay was identified by site assessment undertaken by the local traffic engineer and the requirements of Policy PS4/18 have been met.