BOROUGH OF POOLE
ALDERNEY AND BRANKSOME EAST AND WEST AREA COMMITTEE
WEDNESDAY, 1st JUNE 2011
The Meeting commenced at 7.00pm and concluded at 9.15pm
Present:
Councillor Rollo-Smith (Chairman)
Councillors Eades, Meachin, Mrs Le Poidevin, Mrs Rampton, Miss Wilson and Trent.
Members of the public present: 70 approximately
ABE01.11 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
There were no Apologies for Absence.
ABE02.11 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
There were no declarations of interest.
ABE03.11 MINUTES
RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Meeting held on 16th March 2011, having been previously circulated, be taken as read, confirmed and signed by the Chairman as a correct record, subject to the following amendments:
Pages 8 & 9- Transportation Issues- To replace “Recreation Road” with “Talbot Drive”.
ABE04.11 TWIN SAILS BRIDGE PRESENTATION
Jim Bright (Strategic Director), assisted by Adene-Webbe (Twin Sails Project Communications Officer), attended the Area Committee to give a presentation on the Twin Sails Bridge project.
A Model of the Twin Sails Bridge was displayed at the Meeting for residents and Councillors to view.
The following key points were highlighted:
· The Twin Sails Bridge would be Poole’s new lifting bridge, connecting Poole Town Centre with Hamworthy and opening up important regeneration sites, that could provide more than 2,000 homes and 5,000 jobs;
· Construction of the Twin Sails Bridge was being funded through public and private sector sources, including £15.34 million from the Department for Transport;
· The Twin Sails Bridge, featuring unique triangular lifting leaves, would be the first of its type in the world;
· The steel sections which formed the two spans of decking from the former Power Station site, and the triangular lifting leaves, had been delivered and were being assembled ready for installation in July 2011;
· In July 2011 the steelwork would be lifted off the trestles on mobile transporters and driven onto barges, before finally being positioned on the supports, which would be a dramatic stage of the construction process;
· Adene West-Webbe was utilising a variety of tools (e.g. Borough of Poole website, twitter, facebook, etc) to ensure that all audiences were reached regarding progress with the project.
A question and answer session ensued during which the following points were noted:
- The Twin Sails Bridge would operate in conjunction with the existing Poole Bridge (1927), as a two-bridge system crossing the Back Water Channel;
- A road message system would be introduced to ensure traffic flow across the Backwater Channel is maintained, by diverting users to whichever of the two bridges were open to the public;
- The running of the bridge would be funded by the Local Authority and there would be about 3,000 lifts per year; the energy cost of each lift was about £3;
- The Twin Sails Bridge would be lifted by hydraulic rams, it was designed for 120 years of life and the design had been thoroughly tested in a public inquiry;
- There would be Operation Centres based at the Civic Centre and at the Quayside near to the current lifting bridge;
- The Trial Boreholes had been analysed and no contamination had been found;
- The Pilkington Tile and Sydenham Timber Yard sites were part of the regeneration area and Jenkins Marina would be relocating to a port site on Poole Harbour Commissioners land.
Councillor Eades noted that the opening up of the regeneration sites could result in the provision of 2,000 more homes and emphasised that this should include affordable housing.
Marston Road/Bay Hog Gyratory System
Councillor Trent highlighted that concerns had been expressed about the Marston Road / Bay Hog Gyratory system leading to the Twin Sails Bridge (e.g. whether it was pedestrian and cyclist friendly) and confirmed that the Economy Overview & Scrutiny Committee was examining the proposal to deliver Phase 1 of the Gyratory system at its meeting on 2nd June.
The Area Committee was advised that Poole Bridge’s Regeneration Initiative (PBRI) transport network was a package of transport schemes that were needed to cope with the level of development proposed for the Regeneration Area. Phase 1 of the Marston Road/ Bay Hog Gyratory was an important element of the PBRI network and was felt to be a very beneficial scheme.
The Chairman thanked Jim Bright and Adene West-Webbe for an excellent and informative presentation.
ABE05.11 TRANSPORTATION ISSUES
(i) Benbow Crescent / Raleigh Road Parking Scheme
Steve Dean presented a report on behalf of the Head of Transportation Services which invited the Area Committee to consider requests for parking controls and speed reduction measures in the Benbow Crescent and Raleigh Road area. It was recommended that approval be given to advertise the proposed parking scheme shown on Drawing NDR09/091/E of the report and that a proposed 20mph limit be included in the programme when funding was available.
The following key points were highlighted:
· The Area Committee had approved a scheme to impose `No Waiting at Any Time’ restrictions at the junction of the Eastern arm of Benbow Crescent with the Wallisdown Service Road as shown on the drawing NDR09/091/B of the report;
· The `No Waiting at Any Time’ restrictions could be extended to cover the nearby junction of Benbow Crescent/Raleigh Road and Frobisher Avenue at minimal additional cost;
· The Joint Access Study carried out with the Emergency Services and the Refuse Collection Service, indicated that there were access problems in this area and if Environmental & Consumer Protection Services were able to part- fund parking controls, a limited parking scheme could be introduced in the area;
· Ward Councillors had worked closely with residents and there appeared to be general support for a residents’ parking scheme, although it was possible that the parking problems would be displaced elsewhere;
· Residents had expressed concerns about vehicle speeds in the area, but as the trigger point for accident investigation was 7 or more injury accidents in an area in a 4 year period, and there had been only 1 personal injury reported in the last 4 years in the whole area, funding would not be available for speed reducing features in the foreseeable future;
· The Government would be introducing new guidance on local speed limits shortly, and if current requirements regarding the installation of entry and repeat 20mph signs were relaxed, the Area Committee might wish to extend this treatment to other roads.
A discussion ensued during which the following points were highlighted:
· The Transportation Advisory Group would not be able to consider a request for a 20mph speed limit, as the funding for speed limits had already been devolved to the Area Committees;
· There were continuing concerns about vehicles travelling at excessive speed in the area and a 20mph limit should be included in the Area Committee’s programme when funding was available.
Councillor Trent made a proposal, which was seconded, “that the proposed parking scheme as shown on Drawing NDR09/091/E, with the addition of a small section of Scott Road, be approved for advertisement”. On being put to a vote, the proposal was CARRIED.
RESOLVED that:
(i) The proposed parking scheme as shown on Drawing NDR09/091/E, with the addition of a small section of Scott Road, be approved for advertisement;
(ii) The concerns expressed with regard to vehicle speeds be noted and that a 20mph limit is included in the Area Committee’s programme when funding is available.
(ii) Transportation Budget 2011/12
Steve Dean presented a report on behalf of the Head of Transportation Services, which detailed a programme of minor traffic items for the Alderney, Branksome East and Branksome West Wards for 2011/12.
Julie Erven of Environmental & Consumer Protection Services was also in attendance to answer questions from the Area Committee.
The following key points were highlighted-
· Transportation Services Officers had worked closely with the Emergency Services and Environmental & Consumer Protection Services (ECPS) on a “Refuse and Emergency Access Route Study” to identify locations where they regularly experienced parking and access problems;
· There were several locations in the Alderney, Branksome East & West Wards where this was a difficulty, funding had been secured for a number of these locations through developer contributions, and the remaining high priority locations could be funded through the programme;
· The Local Authority had a statutory responsibility to ensure that emergency vehicles had good access along the roads in it’s geographical area, and ECPS was investigating a proposal to match the funding allocated by the Area Committees, which was reflected in the estimated costs of the Programme;
· Kerbside parking was recognised to be a highly valued resource amongst residents and the Refuse & Emergency Access Route Study had concentrated on locations where parking caused access difficulties on a regular basis;
· The total estimated Programme cost of £6,250 was a significant over-commitment, although it was hoped that by combining schemes, cost savings would enable the full Programme to be implemented.
A discussion took place during which the following points were highlighted:
· Residents and Councillors expressed concerns about the proposed addition of yellow lines in several places in Beresford Road, Beresford Close, New Road and Beaconsfield Road, where there were already significant parking pressures;
· The suggested parking restrictions would cause significant parking problems for local residents (e.g. particularly for elderly people, people with disabilities and people with children) who needed to park near to their homes;
· Introducing the proposed parking restrictions along Beresford Road and Beresford Close could cause parking to be displaced into the adjoining Cul-De-Sacs;
· Residents did not feel that there were access problems for Emergency and Refuse Collection vehicles along the roads identified in the Programme;
· Councillor Mrs Rampton expressed concern about potential parking restrictions along Charlotte Close, Drew Close and Caton Close, where there were already significant parking pressures;
· There was a need to ensure that further consultation was undertaken with residents in respect of the Schemes in the Programme and informal consultation was suggested with Ward Councillors, residents and officers, taking into account resource restraints;
· The schemes for the Alderney Ward (e.g. Healthfield Avenue, Bryant Road, Chandos Avenue, Broadmayne Road) were felt to contain relatively modest changes and formal advertisement could be sufficient consultation for these;
· The proposed change to the width restriction in Albert Road (Branksome West) would not have any effect on parking and an advert would not be required to proceed with this;
· Julie Erven undertook to investigate whether smaller Refuse Collection vehicles could be utilised for built-up areas and a response would be reported to the next Meeting.
Councillor Eades made a proposal, which was seconded, “that consideration of the Transportation Budget Report 2011/12 be deferred, pending further consultation in respect of the schemes in the programme”. On being put to a vote, the proposal was CARRIED.
RECOMMENDED that-
· Consideration of the Transportation Budget 2011/12 be deferred and that further consultation takes place with Ward Councillors and residents in respect of the proposed schemes;
· That consideration be given to arranging informal meetings between residents, officers and Ward Councillors, where this would be helpful; and
· A report be presented to a future Area Committee after further consultation had taken place.
ABE06.11 HEATHLAND FIRES
The Chairman welcomed Ian Cooke (Community Services Manager) and PC Wayne Collins (Poole Police) to the Meeting to provide the latest statistical information on Heathland Fires in the Alderney and Branksome East & West Wards and details of the operational response. The following key points were highlighted:
· There had been 12 Heathland Fires classed as Arson in the Alderney and Branksome East & West Wards from 1st January 2011 – 3rd May 2011;
· There tended to be a higher incidence of fire-setting in the Spring and there had been more incidents this year compared with the same period last year;
· In the Alderney and Branksome East & West Wards, fire-setting predominantly occurred in the Bourne Valley Nature Reserve and offenders were a mix of adults and young people;
· A Multi-Agency approach was taken towards tackling fire-setting (e.g. with Dorset Fire & Rescue Service, the Council, the Youth Offending Teams etc) and the Safe Schools and Communities Officers worked closely with schools and communities, to deliver advice and interventions on topics such as anti-social behaviour, bullying, alcohol and drugs etc;
· Residents were asked to remain vigilant at all times and to report any suspicious activities to the Emergency Services immediately.
A discussion ensued during which the following points were raised:
· A Heathland Watch Group had been set up by residents in the Canford Heath area and such Groups could also be established for the Alderney and Branksome East & West Wards;
· Dorset Police’s “Restorative Reprimands” initiative meant that low level crimes committed by young offenders in Dorset, were being dealt with using Restorative Justice, which put the victim at the forefront of the process, and ensured that offenders faced up to the consequences of their actions.
Councillor Trent advised that the Bourne Valley Action Group (BVAG) had raised funds for a new Play Area on the Bourne Valley Nature Reserve, which would be constructed of natural materials to blend naturally into the green landscape, and suggested that the material used should be fireproof.
Councillor Trent added that some residents had been unaware of the Heathland Fire Awareness Day that had taken place recently in the Alderney Ward and consideration could be given to publicising such events further in the local community.
Councillor Lindsay Wilson proposed that Dorset Fire & Rescue Service be invited to the next meeting of the Area Committee to give a presentation on the fire-setting preventative work that they were undertaking with young people and the Area Committee concurred with this suggestion.
The Chairman thanked Ian Cooke and PC Wayne Collins for a very interesting and informative presentation.
RECOMMENDED that:
(i) The information report be noted; and
(ii) The Dorset Fire & Rescue Service be invited to the next meeting of the Area Committee to give a presentation on the fire-setting preventative work that they were undertaking with young people.