Agenda item

A briefing note was tabled at the Planning Transport and Environment PDS Panel on 11th September 2012 giving details of funding and consultation issues, and outlining the progress to date. This current report is to give a further update on progress.

The Service Manager for Highways & Parking introduced this item to the Panel. He explained that due to the requirements of the Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) process and a larger than anticipated response to the consultation only areas 1and 2 (Twerton and Peasedown) will be completed on site during the financial year for 2012/13. He added that the remainder of the programme was scheduled to be completed in the order listed during 2013/14.

He stated that the consultation results from Areas 3, 4 and 5 had indicated support for the new speed limit and officers were currently designing the scheme and drafting the TRO. He confirmed that Area 6 (Midsomer Norton) had decided not to take part in the programme and that the consultation results from Areas 7 and 8 were currently being evaluated.

He commented that it had been previously established that the £500,000 funding made available for the scheme would not be enough to implement it in full. Accordingly, a sum of £70,000 has been indicated in the draft 2013/14 Transport Capital Programme, however this has yet to be approved.

The Chairman asked if the Panel could be sent the consultation responses that had been received so far.

The Service Manager for Highways & Parking replied that they could.

Councillor Brian Webber addressed the Panel. He described the area of Weston Road as a prime example of where the new speed limit should be enforced.

The Service Manager for Highways & Parking replied he believed that the Police do not have the resources to do so. He added that the programme was not designed to generate income and that it was about making roads safer.

Mr Peter Duppa-Miller addressed the Panel. He commented that with regard to Area 15 (Other residential areas in rural villages) that potentially this could involve up to 42 settlements. He added that he works with two PACT (Police And Communities Together) groups and they currently have a mixed reaction to the programme. He expressed the need for each area to have its own individual scheme.

The Service Manager for Highways & Parking replied that this was a very reasonable request and that officers would do their upmost to act in that way.

Councillor Ian Gilchrist asked if the decision taken by the people of Midsomer Norton would save time and money for the programme.

The Service Manager for Highways & Parking replied that it would.

Councillor Ian Gilchrist asked how residents from outside of a proposed programme area could give their views.

The Service Manager for Highways & Parking replied that informal consultation takes place with residents within the programme area and that once a TRO is issued there is a period of formal consultation to which any member of the public can respond.

Councillor Geoff Ward commented that he welcomed the scheme. He asked if officers were surprised at the level of responses and whether this had affected their regular work.

The Service Manager for Highways & Parking replied that they did expect a high level of responses, but were surprised with how much detail of the programme the public wanted. He added that yes it had affected their regular work.

The Chairman thanked him for the update and reiterated her request on behalf of the Panel to receive the consultation results that had been analysed so far.