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, 5 July 2006 from 6.30pm to 9.25pm.
Present:Three Rivers District Council
District Councillors:Geoffrey Dunne, Stephen Giles-Medhurst, Ron Spellen, Ann ShawOBE and Martin Trevett (Chairman)
Officers:Peter Kerr and Sarah Haythorpe
Hertfordshire County Council
CountyCouncillors:Roy Clements, Steve Drury, Paul Goggins, Barbara Lamb MBE, and Leonard Spencer
Officers:Keith Watkins, Ian Brownell
Apologies for absence were received from County Councillor Jane Hobday and District Councillor John Pendlebury.
01/06APPOINTMENT OF THE CHAIRMAN
Councillor Roy Clements proposed, seconded by Councillor Geoffrey Dunne that:
For the Local Government Year 2006/07 District Councillor Martin Trevett be appointed Chairman.
On being put to the meeting the proposal was declared CARRIED.
ACTION AGREED:
That for the Local Government Year 2006/07 District Councillor Martin Trevett be appointed Chairman.
02/06APPOINTMENT OF THE VICE CHAIRMAN
Councillor Ann Shaw proposed, seconded by Councillor Barbara Lamb that:
For the Local Government Year 2006/07 County Councillor Roy Clements be appointed Vice Chairman.
On being put to the meeting the proposal was declared CARRIED.
ACTION AGREED:
That for the Local Government Year 2006/07 County Councillor Roy Clements be appointed Vice Chairman.
03/06INTRODUCTIONS AND APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Members of the Panel were of the opinion that the Chairman and Vice Chairman should write to County Councillor Jane Hobday about attendance at the JMP meetings over the last two years.
ACTION AGREED:
That the Chairman write to County Councillor Jane Hobday about attendance at the JMP meetings over the last few years.
04/06MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING AND MATTERS ARISING
The Minutes of the meeting held on 5 April 2006 were confirmed as a correct record, subject to the following amendment and were signed by the Chairman.
Minute 42/05 third paragraph, second line to read “It was requested”.
Matters Arising
Nothing was reported.
05/06ANY OTHER BUSINESS
An item on the A412 Uxbridge Road was added to the agenda at Item (21/06) The reason for urgency was the need to allow the Panel to discuss some urgent concerns before work commenced on 10 July 2006.
ACTION AGREED:-
That an item on the A412 Uxbridge Road be added to the agenda at Item 21/06.
06/06PETITIONS
The Panel received a progress report on the petitions for the A404 Chorleywood Road crossing, Woodcock Hill, A412 Watford Road crossing and St Peters Way Lighting Scheme and received a new petition in connection with Park Road, Rickmansworth.
(a)A404 Chorleywood Road
The District Manager reported that the Design Team had commissioned an outline design to establish the location of the crossing and to provide an estimate of the likely costs. It was noted that due to the lack of funding for the crossing this prevented its implementation at the present time but this decision would continue to be reviewed.
ACTION AGREED:
that the Panel would continue to be updated on progress with the crossing.
(b)Petition for Measures on Woodcock Hill
The Panel noted that signing and verge works would be undertaken following the surfacing works this summer.
ACTION AGREED:
that the report be noted.
(c)Watford Road Zebra Crossing
The Panel noted that an anti skid surface would be addressed as part of the resurfacing in 2007/08.
ACTION AGREED:
that the report be noted.
(d)St Peters Way, Chorleywood
The District Manager tabled a report to the Panel on a study to assess the feasibility of lighting the whole of St Peters Wayor installing a single lighting column outside or near to No1 St Peters Way subject to consultation.
Members were of the opinion that the residents should be consulted on the option of lighting the whole of the road and a report would be presented at the November meeting to include the conclusions of the public consultation. It was agreed that a letter and plan would be circulated to residents as part of the consultation.
ACTION AGREED:
(i)That the report be noted but that the lighting scheme would be discussed at the November meeting;
(ii)That residents be consulted before the November meeting and the conclusions of the consultation be reported at the November meeting.
(e)Park Road Pedestrian Crossing
Members received a petition of 415 signatures for a pedestrian light controlled crossing in Park Road, Rickmansworth.
In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 36(b) (Representations at Committee etc) Natika Bellstorey spoke in favour of the petition.
Members noted a traffic study and feasibility study had been completed and the cost of a pelican crossing would be £50/60k. The District Manager reported that as there was no budget available for the crossing, a bid for funding would be required that would need to be supported with data on accident statistics.
Members were of the opinion that action needed to be taken to provide a safe crossing as a number of people in the District crossed the road at this point.
ACTION AGREED:
- That a feasibility study for a pedestrian crossing be completed;
- That the speed camera in Scots Hill be reinstated in its original location but consideration be given to a new location in Scots Hill;
- To consider modifications to the centre island;
- To consider improved speed signage;
- To look at making the bus stop crossing a proper refuge;
- To provide a report on all levels of actions that can be taken and financial implications;
- To explore Section 106 funding from the Waitrose development;
- To consider widening the island or providing a zebra crossing from discretionary funding at around £10k.
07/06SECTION 106 CONTRIBUTIONS AND ADOPTION OF ROADS
The Panel received a report by the District Manager on the issues with regard to Section 106 (S106) contributions and roads that were potentially to be adopted through a Section 38 (S38) agreement.
In response to concerns from Councillor Paul Goggins that the funding for a crossing at TannersWoodSchool could disappear, it was noted that TannersWoodSchool were being encouraged to produce a transport plan. The Panel requested that the funding be used within the current financial year and the District Manager agreed to commission the local design team to progress the design.
The District Manager advised that Alan Story, the local School Travel Plan Advisor would attend the next meeting to make a presentation on his role.
Councillor Ann Shaw sought clarification on the S106 contributions from developments in Old Uxbridge Road – Marble and Granite and Clancy and Docra.
ACTION AGREED:-
that the report be noted and the Panel endorsed the use of S106 funds as set out in the report with the exception of TannersWoodSchool.
08/06INTEGRATED WORKS PROGRAMME 2006/07
Members received a report on the progress of the Integrated Works Programme (IWP) for 2006/07. The District Manager tabled the major scheme works programme at the meeting.
ACTION AGREED:-
that the report be noted.
09/06LOCAL ROAD ENHANCED MAINTENANCE PROGRAMME 2006/07
Councillor Stephen Giles-Medhurst said the road surface in Bucknalls Lane was in a very poor state from excessive HGV use and asked that the scheme be promoted from reserve on the carriage resurfacing and thin surfacing schemes.
Councillor Roy Clements requested the Farm Way, Moor Park, Northwood Batchworth Lane to Bishops Avenue on the footway resurfacing and reconstruction schemes be promoted from reserve.
Members were of the opinion that both schemes should be promoted from reserve on the list but without any schemes being deleted.
ACTION AGREED: -
That the report be noted but requested:
- Farm Way, MoorPark, Northwood, Batchworth Lane to Bishops Avenue be promoted from Reserve on the list;
- Bucknalls Lane, Abbots Langley (A405 to East End M1 Bridge) be promoted from Reserve on the List;
- Agreed that no schemes be deleted from the list;
- Noted that Popes Road had been completed.
10/06TRDC HIGHWAY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME
The Panel received a report on the District Council schemes for 2006/07.
The Panel noted that parking restrictions in Abbey Drive, Leavesden and Bucknalls Close, Garston would not be implemented. A plan for Redwood close, South Oxhey would be produced for consultation.
Councillor Steve Drury asked for confirmation that the improved lighting in Baldwin’s Lane had been completed.
Councillor Stephen Giles-Medhurst raised concerns with parking in High Elms Lane and asked if the scheme could be included in the list for consideration and costing.
ACTION AGREED:-
(i)to check that the improved lighting in Baldwin’s Lane (West) had been completed;
(ii)to check the numbering in Appendix 1 for Hazelwood Road, Abbots Langley;
(iii)that Ward Members opposed the Chichester Way, Garston scheme and agreed that no consultation should take place;
(iv)that High Elms Lane be included on the list of schemes for consideration and costing; and
(v)that a plan for Redwood Close, South Oxhey be produced for consultation.
11/06PARKING ON GRASS VERGES
The Panel received a report, requested at the April meeting, to consider options for preventing parking on grass verges in the District.
Councillor Roy Clements said that parking by residents on grass verges in specific areas, for example Carpenders Park, was a concern and requested that consideration be given to parking restraints or Byelaws with signage to inhibit parking on verges.
The Chief Development Plans and Transportation Officer advised there would be resource implications with the introduction of Byelaws and legal assistance would be required which would be an additional duty not already budgeted for.
Members were of the opinion that the enforcement of Byelaws would be difficult to enforce, especially at night, but that Members should discuss with HCC the feasibility of using physical obstructions such as posts and rails. It was agreed that the issue of parking of grass verges was a District wide concern.
ACTION AGREED:
(i)Noted parking on grass verges was a District wide problem and enforcement of a Byelaw would be difficult to enforce especially at night;
(ii)Members to discuss with HCC to identify if physical barriers could be used throughout the District to restrict parking on grass verges.
12/06CYCLE TRACK CONVERSION REPORT: GALLOWS HILL LANE, ABBOTS LANGLEY
The Panel received a report that proposed to make two small stretches of footway on Gallows Hill Lane, Abbots Langley a joint footway/cycleway. The section of proposed footway/cycleway links into the existing route linking through to Abbots Langley centre and represents an important addition to the cycle network.
Councillor Ann Shaw, moved duly seconded the recommendation.
ACTION AGREED:
that a footway/cycleway be confirmed under Section 65(i) of the Highways Act to allow both pedestrians and cyclists to use the existing footway at two small sections of Gallows Hill Lane, Abbots Langley at its junction with Gallows Hill and at the section along side Manor House Grounds;
13/06DISCRETIONARY BUDGET
The Panel received a report updating Members on the expenditure of the 2006/07 Discretionary Budget.
Members noted that an extra £10k had been added to the budget to cover inflation.
ACTION AGREED:
(i)that the report be noted;
(ii)Supported the drainage improvement works in Abbots Langley High Street with funding from the discretionary budget as appropriate;
14/06REVIEW OF PROPOSED TRO’S
To inform members of the proposed TRO’s for A404 London Road, Rickmansworth and High Road, Leavesden and consider objections received.
ACTION AGREED:
(i)Agreed A404 London Road 40 mph permanent speed restriction order be confirmed;
(ii)Agreed High Road, Leavesden traffic calming scheme subject to any objections being received during the remainder of the objection period. Agreed to delegate to the Chairman, Vice Chairman and District Manager to resolve once objection period had ended.
15/06GOLF EVENT AT THE GROVE
To update Members on the Golf event at the Grove, Watford on 26 September 2006 to 1 October 2006.
Members were of the opinion that the organisers be requested to deliver the publicity leaflet, as a minimum, to residents in the roads mentioned in the leaflet but requested that all residents in Abbots Langley Parish should receive the leaflet.
ACTION AGREED:
that the Chairman and Vice Chairman write to the organisers to request that the publicity leaflet be delivered, as a minimum, to residents in the roads mentioned in the leaflet but requested that all residents in Abbots Langley Parish should received the leaflet.
16/06GRASS CUTTINGS
The District Manager tabled a copy of the grass cutting programme and audit results to the Panel.
Councillor Stephen Giles-Medhurst said that HCC were keen for the District Council to consider the management of the grass cutting programme.
ACTION AGREED:
that the Chairman/Vice Chairman write to HCC and TRDC on the management of the grass cutting programme.
17/06PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
The Panel received the performance indicators of Hertfordshire Highways in the Three Rivers District.
ACTION AGREED:
that the report be noted.
18/06FORMATION OF SOUTH WEST HERTS JOINT DISTRICT TRANSPORT PANEL
The Panel discussed the formation of the South West Herts Joint District Transport Panel and representation from the Three Rivers JMP. Members agreed that the Chairman, Vice Chairman and Councillor Paul Goggins would represent the Panel.
Members expressed concern that the meeting may not be a public meeting and asked the District Manager to contact the organisers.
ACTION AGREED:
(i)That the JMP Chairman, Vice Chairman and Councillor Paul Goggins would represent the Panel;
(ii)Requested that HCC Officers be contacted to ask why the meeting was not a public meeting (Post meeting Note: This meeting would be a public meeting).
19/06ORGANISATION CHANGES IN THE AREA OFFICE TEAM
Members noted the changes to the Area Office Team emailed by the District Manager.
ACTION AGREED:
that the report be noted.
20/06DATE OF NEXT MEETINGS
Noted the dates of the next meetings were:
Wednesday 1 November 2006
Wednesday 7 February 2006
Wednesday 4 April 2006
21/06OTHER BUSINESS
Councillor Ann Shaw raised concerns on the access for school buses, cyclists and tractors onto the A412 Uxbridge Road during the roadworks. All the concerns raised were responded to at the meeting.
CHAIRMAN
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