HERTFORDSHIRE HIGHWAYS

JOINT MEMBER PANEL FOR THE DISTRICT OF THREE RIVERS

Meeting of the Hertfordshire Highways Joint Member Panel for the District of Three Rivers held in the Penn Chamber, Three Rivers House, Rickmansworth, on Wednesday 2 November 2005 from 6.30pm to 9.40pm.

Present:Three Rivers District Council

District Councillors:Geoffrey Dunne, Stephen Giles-Medhurst, Ann ShawOBE and Martin Trevett (Vice Chairman)

Officers:Peter Kerr and Sarah Haythorpe

Hertfordshire County Council

County Councillors:Roy Clements (Chairman), Steve Drury, Paul Goggins, Barbara Lamb MBE, and Leonard Spencer

Officers:Ian Brownell, Keith Watkins

Apologies for absence was received from District Councillor John Pendlebury and Ron Spellen, County Councillor Jane Hobday and PCCrosby.

Also in attendance: Councillor Phil Brading and Brian White

11/05MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING AND MATTERS ARISING

The Minutes of the meeting held on 6 July 2005 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Matters Arising

Matters arising were discussed as follows:-

-Troy Wharf Development was progressing

-the lamp standard had not been removed from Ebury Roundabout

-The road signs in Berry Lane had not been found and needed to be removed

-The lamp standard at Oxhey Drive had been removed

-Work had been completed in Little Oxhey Lane/Carpenders Avenue and Harrow Way but there was still the issue of ponding to be resolved

-High Elms works were completed

-A work programme had been provided for the meeting

12/05ANY OTHER BUSINESS

An item on the Grove Golf Tournament to be held in September 2006 was added to the agenda at Item (24/05) The reason for urgency was the need to allow the Panel sufficient time to make its representation known and to agree future actions.

The Chairman stated that the separately circulated report at Item 14, part 1, (TRDC Highway Improvement Programme) had not been available for inspection five clear days before the meeting and could only be dealt with as an urgent item of business.

The Chairman ruled that the item was of sufficient urgency to update the Panel on the District Council Schemes for 2005/6.

13/05PETITIONS

(a)A404 Chorleywood Road and Woodcock Hill

Members received an update on the petition for a crossing at the Royal Masonic School. The Panel noted that the Royal Masonic School for Girls had confirmed they would be prepared to make a contribution of £10k towards a crossing subject to conditions and approval.

ACTION AGREED:-

(1)that a further report be submitted to the next meeting on:-

an outline design for the crossing to meet all safety requirements

a breakdown of the costs for the crossing and funding opportunities

possible ideas for the location of the crossing

(2)to provide a written response to the Royal Masonic School for Girls thanking them for the proposed contribution and to provide an update on progress

(b)Petition for Measures on Woodcock Hill

The Panel received a report on the effectiveness of the implemented measures at Woodcock Hill. Members noted that signs were now in place, slow markings in the narrow sections of the road would be considered and chevron boards had been ordered for the junction of Harefield Road where white lines had been remarked.

(c)Watford Road Zebra Crossing

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 36(b) (Representation at Committee etc) Ms Angela Watson spoke in favour of a petition to improve the zebra crossing on the Watford Road.

Members noted that there had been two notifiable accidents in the last four years and would not qualify to be upgraded to a Pelican crossing under safety requirements. It was suggested to Members that a 24 hour survey of the crossing could be completed to monitor how the crossing is used and to look at appropriate measures to improve the crossing. This suggestion was not supported by the Panel but the Panel did support using the funding to provide short term improvements for the crossing.

ACTION AGREED:

(1)to look at viable short term improvements to increase the visibility of the crossing to include: higher visibility of the crossing markings, to provide an anti-skid road surfacing, increase the visibility of the beacons and to introduce slow markings; and

(2)the Panel requested that joint funding was considered for a Patrol Person; and

(3) Members requested a report within 2 weeks on the issues raised.

14/05SECTION 106 FUNDING AND ADOPTION OF ROADS

The Panel received a report by the District Manager on issues with regard to Section 106 (S106) contributions and roads that were potentially to be adopted through a Section 38 (S38) agreement.

The Panel made suggestions concerning the information contained in the report, noted additional information provided by the District Manager on particular schemes and noted the information circulated by the Chief Development Plans and Transportation Officer on Section 106 contributions held by Three Rivers District Council on highways matters.

ACTION AGREED:-

(1)that the report be noted; and

(2)One list to be produced for consideration by the Panel on all Section 106 Contributions and another on Future Adoption of Roads; and

(3)To provide details on Middleton Road and reply to Councillor Ann Shaw; and

(4)Provide details on why Leavesden Hospital appeared under Three Rivers S106 Contributions and not Watford and advise where the £17,436 contribution had been spent to Councillor Stephen Giles-Medhurst; and

(5)Confirm the costs for Chilwell Gardens, South Oxhey and provide details on the status of the survey and the how funds would be spent; and

(6)Change Leavesden Airfield to Leavesden Aerodrome; and

(7)Consider using Waitrose funding for A404 Pedestrian Crossing

15/05INTEGRATED WORKS PROGRAMME 2005/06

Members received a report on the progress of the Integrated Works Programme for 2005/06.

The Chairman reported that Tolpits HGV and bus link would be discussed at the HCC Development Control Committee in early 2006.

ACTION AGREED:-

(1)Harefield Road – Traffic and Environmental Scheme design to be circulated when completed; and

(2)Denham Way, Maple Cross Carriageway Works – JMP to be consulted on the design, a road programme to be produced, consideration to be given to the bridge section measures and to ensure the drainage works were completed before resurfacing; and

(3)Oxhey Lane and Little Oxhey Lane (Project ID LRM04401 and SAR05084) be listed under Carpenders Park District not South Oxhey; and

(4)Appendix B Officers names to be updated.

16/05INTEGRATED WORKS PROGRAMME 2006/07 AND FORWARD WORKS PROGRAMME 2007/2011

The Panel received a report by the District Manager on the annual programme of maintenance and improvement schemes on the County’s highways.

Councillor Stephen Giles-Medhurst reported that as the carryover schemes had the first call on the budget, other schemes could slip from the programme and he challenged why no footway schemes had been listed. The District Manager reported that Three Rivers did not qualify for footways under this programme.

ACTION AGREED:-

(1)that the report be noted; and

(2)that carryover schemes had the first call on the budget and other schemes may slip from the programme as a consequence; and

(3)to challenge and investigate why no footway schemes had been listed for the next 2 years.

17/05REVIEW OF HIGHWAY MAINTENANCE STRATEGY

The Panel received and noted a report on the progress of the current review of the Highway Maintenance Strategy.

Members were of the opinion that an extra £2m was required for footways and requested that a report was presented at the next meeting on footway surfacing materials.

ACTION AGREED:-

(1)that the report be noted; and

(2)that a report be presented at the next meeting on footway surfacing materials; and

(3)Remove Accident Reduction, Maintenance of Accident Site – P SAR07007 Anti Skid Maintenance – Stevenage; and

(4)Members to email the District Manager with names of additional roads to be added to the strategy; and

(5)that the Panel be advised on the prioritisation of the programme list; and

(6)Woodside Road and Bucknalls Lane are added to the programme; and

(7)that Members requested that an extra £2m was required for footways.

18/05TRDC HIGHWAY IMRPOVEMENT PROGRAMME 2005/06 – HARROW WAY/ ST GEORGE’S DRIVE, CARPENDERS PARK

Members received an update on a proposal to complement the existing traffic calming scheme in Harrow Way/St George’s Drive. The Panel commented that as the existing traffic claiming scheme had not been successful the funding to complement the existing measures should be jointly funded by the Council and HCC.

RESOLVED:

(1)that the implementation of the scheme, if agreed or amended following public consultation and Safety Audit, be considered for inclusion in the 2006/07 Three Rivers District Council Highway Improvement Budget and the Hertfordshire County Council, if funds were available but not using discretionary funding.

ACTION AGREED:-

(1)noted the proposal to complement existing traffic calming scheme; and

(2)that blocked paved junctions, width restrictions and priority give way signs to the traffic were considered; and

(3)noted residents agreed existing traffic calming measures had not been successful with lorries still using the road and vehicles speeding; and

(4)to consider having roundabouts and reply to Councillor Roy Clements and Councillor Leonard Spencer.

19/05DISCRETIONARY BUDGET INCLUDING T&E SCHEMES

The Panel received an update on the expenditure of the 2005/6 Discretionary Budget, considered issues for the 2006/7 programme and noted the Traffic and Environmental (T&E) measures list.

Members noted that the total cost of the new lighting scheme for Barn Lea/Curtis Close and Hall Close would be £45k to be phased over 2 to 3 years pending consultation and safety audit. Councillor Ann Shaw requested that consideration be given to do part of the work next year.

Councillor Stephen Giles-Medhurst reported concern that flooding in Abbots Langley High Street continued to be a concern although this scheme had not been included on the list of approved schemes. He requested that funding be considered from HCC and not from the Council discretionary budget.

The Chairman requested that the position of the traffic lights in Rickmansworth High Street as you approach from North Way be investigated.

Councillor Barbara Lamb asked that consideration be given to provide a tactile rotating cone under the panel on the pedestrian crossing by the Signals Team.

ACTION AGREED:

(1)noted the footpath lighting between High Road and Balmoral Road had not been resolved but agreed the light would remain for safety reasons; and

(2)noted planting trees in the footways can cause damage; and

(3)noted the cost of the lighting for Barn Lea/Curtis Close and Hall Close would be £45k. Councillor Ann Shaw asked if £20k of work could be considered for next year; and

(4)received the design of the traffic calming proposal for Berry Lane which would be subject to consultation and Safety Audit; and

(5)funding for Abbots Langley High Street to be considered by HCC and not from the Discretionary Budget; and

(6)consideration of a tactile rotating cone under the panel at the pedestrian crossing at Talbot Road/North Way/High Street; and

(7)the position of the lights as you approach from North Way to be investigated by the Signals Team; and

(8)Eastbury Avenue consultation on the lighting to be progressed; and

(9)JMP to consider items for the 2006/07 Discretionary Budget

20/05ENFORCEMENT OF SCHOOL KEEP CLEAR MARKINGS

Members received a report inviting the Panel to recommend priorities for the conversion of advisory School Keep Clear Markings to Mandatory markings.

ACTION AGREED:

(1)JMP agreed all the issues were of a high priority

21/05CASUALTY REDUCTION PROPOSALS FOR THE M25 JUNCTION WITH A41 AND A4251 (J20)

The Panel received a report informing on the accident investigations that had been carried out on the M25 Junction with A41 and A4251 (J20), and to seek Members views on the proposed casualty reduction measures.

ACTION AGREED:

(1)that the report be noted; and

(2)asked if HCC could obtain additional funding for ex trunk roads

22/05WORK PROGRAMME FOR THE JOINT MEMBER PANEL

Members received an outline of the issues that would be presented to the Panel throughout the next year.

ACTION AGRED:

(1)that the report be noted; and

(2)Performance Monitoring of Traffic Lights is added

23/05DATES OF FUTURE MEETINGS

The future meeting dates were noted as follows:-

1 February 2006

5 April 2006

12 July 2006 (Provisional)

24/05ANY OTHER BUSINESS

TRDC HIGHWAY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME

The Panel received an update report on the District Council schemes for 2005/06

ACTION AGREED:

(1)Noted that any schemes TRDC proposed needed to be included in the IWP programme before implementation

(2)Noted all car parking schemes agreed for installation are subject to consultation and planning permission

GROVE GOLF TOURNAMENT

Councillor Stephen Giles-Medhurst reported that a major golf tournament would

be held at the Grove in September 2006 for four days. Members noted that it

was anticipated that around 10,000 extra vehicles could be using the

surrounding roads during the event.

ACTION AGREED:

(1)to consider a Joint meeting between TRDC, Watford Borough Council, Police and Herts Highways in Jan/Feb 2006

(2)noted a meeting had been arranged to discuss potential traffic concerns for the event between Officers from HCC Emergency Planning and the Police. The District Manager agreed to advise members if their attendance was required.

(3)noted it was imperative that the Chairman, Vice Chairman, Members, Ward Councillors were involved in the Highways initiatives for this event and to consider receiving a presentation at a future meeting

CHAIRMAN

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