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, 25 January 2012 from 6.30pm to 8.21pm.
Present:Three Rivers District Council
District Councillors:Stephen Giles-Medhurst, Paul Gordon, Pam Hames,Ann ShawOBE, and Martin Trevett(Vice-Chairman).
Officer:Chris Fagan,Committee Manager.
Hertfordshire County Council
CountyCouncillors:Frances Button,Steve Drury, (Chairman), Deirdre Gates,Paul Goggins and Barbara Lamb MBE.
Officers:Ian Brownell, Lead Assistant District Manager, Hertfordshire Highways and Bob Hall, Highways Services Manager.
Apologies for absence were received from County CouncillorChris Hayward.
26/11INTRODUCTION
The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.
27/11MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETINGS AND MATTERS ARISING
The Minutes of the meeting held on11 November 2011 were confirmed as a correct record and were signed by the Chairman subject to the following amendments:
Minute 17/11 – Petitions Update
The amendment of the third paragraph to read:
“The Lead Assistant District Manger advised that speed and volume surveys would be undertakento see if these sites met the current criteria under the speed management strategy and would report back results at the JanuaryMeeting.”
Regarding the Bedmond Road Traffic island and Speed limit change, the deletion from the Present Position/Comment column of the first sentence.
Minute 18/11 – Highways Locality Budget
The amendment of the first sentence of the 22nd paragraph of the preamble(on page 6 of the minutes) to read:
“County CouncillorFrances Button stated that the Herts Highway contract came up for renewal in 2012 and receiving the Work Programme now was a very useful step, where Members were changing at the same time that contractors were changing.”
Minute 21/11 – TRDC Transport Programme
The deletion from the second paragraph of “Langley Way” and “Highams Lane” and the insertion in their place of “High Elms Lane”.
Minute 22/11 - Integrated Works Programme/Draft 2 Preparation Programme 2012/13 and Forward Works Programme 2012/13 to 2016/17
The amendment of the final paragraph of the preamble to read:
“County CouncillorFrances Button said that roads crossed boundaries all the time and officers managed these situations very well.”
28/11NOTICE OF OTHER BUSINESS
The Chairman reported that he had accepted two items of other business for consideration at the meeting, on thegrounds that this would be the penultimate meeting of the Panel. They would be considered following agenda item 12.
(i)Grit Bins
(ii)the future of Herts Highways area offices, notably Shire House, Watford
29/11DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Councillor Steve Drury declared a personal and prejudicial interest in minute 35/11 below – Safer Routes to School Scheme, Croxley Green, as a Governor of the Little Green School who had participated in the discussions leading to the preparation of the scheme. He left the meeting during the discussion and decision of this item. During his absence the Chair was taken by Councillor Martin Trevett.
Councillor Martin Trevett declared a personal, non-prejudicial interest in any agenda item relating to St Clement Danes School as a parent of two pupils at the school.
30/11PETITIONS UPDATE
The Panel received a report updating Members on the petitions presented to the Panel and the progress being made with any approved actions and schemes. Speed and volume surveys in Ashridge Drive and Lytham Avenue, South Oxhey indicated that neither location satisfied the criteria for speed limit reductions and no further action was proposed. The report from Sarratt Parish Council on their request for Vehicle Activated (VA) signs on the Green in Sarratt had been referred to the County Signals Unit for their assessment and Members and the Parish Council would be notified of the result.
The Lead Assistant District Manager made further updates as follows:-
Subject / Scheme / Present Position /Comment
Park Road Pedestrian
Crossing
Rickmansworth / Improved crossing
facility / Site meeting to resolve objections had not been successful. Time period for a TRO had expired but ring-fenced funding was still available.
Agreed that the objections and the available options be reported to the April meeting.
Hampermill Lane / Speed compliance scheme / Completed and agreed to remove it from the table.
A404 Chenies Road, Chorleywood
St Clement DanesSchool / Pedestrian Facilities / Programme date to be included for option 1 with a projected completion date in April 2012. .Funding was anticipated for options 2 and 3.
Heronsgate Road, Chorleywood / Traffic calming to reduce speed and volume of traffic / Implementation of 20mph speed limit anticipated in April 2012.
Chalfont Lane, Chorleywood / Safer provisions for horse riders / Still seeking funding from local stables for the scheme.
Bedmond Road / Traffic island and speed limit change / Subject to the weather the scheme could be implemented by the end of the financial year.
ACTION AGREED:-
that the report and update be noted.
31/11HIGHWAYS ADOPTIONS
Bob Hall presented the report on behalf of Herts Highways Network Manager, to whom he undertook to refer all comments. He responded to Members’ questions.
Councillor Stephen Giles-Medhurst stated that the fourth road in the table at Appendix A to the report was not Hunters Laneas stated, but Edson Close.
Councillor Ann Shaw stated that the road described as DenhamPark should be corrected to DenhamWay.
The Lead Assistant District Manager agreed to report to the next meeting on adoption situation for Lytham Avenue, South Oxhey. On the Byewaters adoption a snagging list had been agreed with the developer but an issue concerning the pumping station remained to be resolved.
ACTION AGREED:-
that thereport as amended be noted.
32/11SECTION 106 DEVELOPER (S106) CONTRIBUTIONS
The report advised the Panel of schemes funded by existing Section106 contributions and new developments that had had contributions available and recently added to the list. The Lead Assistant District Manager advised that a number of suggestions made by Members at the previous meeting had also been added. Two new contributions had been made, in respect of Hill Top Farm and Imagination House, Kings Langley. He had suggested two possible schemes for these, but invited Members to send any further suggestions to him by email. He would circulate details of the scheme for the upgrading of traffic lights on Denham Way.
In response to questions the Lead Assistant District Manager stated that:
- on the details of speed control measures in Toms Lane, the proposed measures would include chevron signs and posts, advance warning signs and a skid survey on the double bends. Local Members would be consulted prior to a report being prepared.
- the contributions from developments within Three Rivers District towards the Croxley Rail Link were set out at Appendix B to the report. The schemes for 134 and 249-253 Watford Road were not expected to contribute to the Rail Link.
- A joint County and District scheme involved upgrading cycleways among the improvements to rights of way in Berry Lane.
- The uses of Section 106 moneys set out for the first three sites in the table at Appendix A reflected the generic criteria for sustainable transport applicable to uses for contributions. Possible schemes were listed in the final column.
- The use of S106 contributions from developments at 134 and 249-253 Watford Road to support the W30 bus service was an option which would be considered by an officer steering group in February. No action had yet been taken.
Councillor Ann Shawasked whether the Berry Lane right of way proposals would be subject to public consultation. She commented that local residents were strongly opposed to the proposed cycleway from Chorleywood into Berry Lane. The Officers took note of this observation.
Councillors Frances Button and Stephen Giles-Medhurst noted that support for bus services was revenue spending which when the funding ran out could mean that the service ceased. Although acceptable for pump-priming of services, as a source of ongoing finance it was unsustainable. The Highways Services Manager agreed to take the W30 bus service option back for reconsideration. A report would be provided to the Lead Assistant District Managerfor circulation.
ACTION AGREED:-
that Members are requested to note the contents of the report and the comments of Members recorded above be noted.
33/11DISCRETIONARY BUDGET AND LOCAL WORKS PROGRAMME
This report updated Members on the Discretionary Budget Programme and other locally delivered works programmes under the control of the Area Highways Team for 2011/12.
The Lead Assistant District Manager advised that the schemes for the A404 London Roadcrossing and for verge protection would be completed during the financial year, subject to favourable weather. Orders for verge trees had been raised but final details had still to be agreed, including financial contributions from residents. Two site meetings had been agreed with County Councillor Frances Button. All CountyCouncillors had submitted their preferred sites for Highways Locality Budget(HLB) schemes during 2012. Schemes would be prepared for CountyMembers to make heir final decisions. In response to Members’ questions he confirmed that Councillors would be sent details site by site, with maps and costings for each agreed site.
Councillor Stephen Giles-Medhurst commented that it was important for this information to be in the public domain, as the sums of public money involved were considerable. He stated that other Joint Member Panels had been informed that it would be possible to pool funds and orders for individual schemes in order to achieve beneficial savings and enhance value for money. County CouncillorFrances Button endorsed and commended this approach. Councillor Paul Goggins asked whether such pooling would be limited to individual districts or whether it could cross district boundaries.
The Lead Assistant District Manager confirmed that details of the locality budget were already in the public domain and on CountyCouncillors’ websites.
The Highways Manager apologised that all available information had not yet been published, but stated that the officers had had to prioritise the release of moneys for the first tranche of funding and dealing with a number of initial questions. Different Joint Member Panels operated differently and had different levels of co-ordination. It was intended to produce a common scheme in time for the second tranche of funding. It was also necessary to know what BLB funding was available, to facilitate joint working.
The Chairman commented that in order to make the best use of HLB moneys it would be necessary for CountyCouncillors to speak both to each other and to District Councillors about suitable schemes.
On the Discretionary Works Programme, the 50 trees had been ordered for planting, with the locations to be notified to Members when finalised and with details of replacements for felled trees. Six locations for improvements to ramps had been identified. All Super Cat2 works had been completed.
In response to a question from County Councillor Frances Button concerning the poor state of the Batchworth Roundabout at its junction with Moor Lane, the Lead Assistant District Manager advised that this was an IWP scheme scheduled to start on 12 February. He believed that details had been included in the Members’ Bulletin. Councillor Pam Hames asked about remedial works required to part of Little Oxhey Lane between Brick Farm and Auburn Mere Residential home. The Lead Assistant District Manager asked her to send him the details for him to investigate and respond.
On the Section 106 funded schemes, the Lead Assistant District Manager advised that:
- the District Council would be responsible for remedial work to the steps and ramp between Northway and Waitrose;
- design work had not been completed on the Tolpits Lanebridge protection, which had not yet been costed. £58,000 was available from the Kenwood House contribution;
- he had circulatedthat day the initial design for traffic calming in Old Mill Lane, which was still subject to a safety audit and costings.
Councillors Stephen Giles-Medhurst and Paul Goggins commented on the traffic dangers in Old Mill Lane and regarded the preparation of appropriate traffic calming measures as a priority for a road in which a fatality had occurred.
The Lead Assistant District Manager responded that a feasibility study and initial design work had been undertaken to the junction of Old Mill Lane with the A41as phase 1 and traffic calming measures in Old Mill Lane itself as phase 2.
Councillor Stephen Giles-Medhurst referred to deficient highway reinstatement work by Gas Alliance in Bucknalls Lane which had necessitated the service of a default notice. The Chairman asked about the reinstatement timescale and what guarantees had been given to the Council over the standard of the work.
The Highways Manager replied that for sub-standard work the guarantee timescale was deemed not to have commenced and the contractor could be pursued to undertake remedial work.
ACTIONS AGREED:-
that the report and the comments of Members reported above be noted.
34/11TRDC TRANSPORT PROGRAMME
The Panel received a progress report on District Council schemes for 2011/12.
County CouncillorFrances Button asked for details and a timescale for the scheme for new bays in Romilly Drive, CarpendersPark. Councillor Pam Hames stated that the condition of part of the road was very poor.
The Chairman said he would request the Principal Projects Manager to provide the Members with the information.
ACTION AGREED:-
that the TRDC transport programme be noted.
35/11SAFER ROUTES TO SCHOOL SCHEME, CROXLEY GREEN
During the discussion and decision on this item, the Chairman, Councillor Steve Drury, left the meeting-room. The Chair was taken by the Vice-Chairman, Councillor Martin Trevett.
The Panel received a report on the progress of the Little Green, Safer Routes to School Scheme, Croxley Green. Two objections had been received and the Panel was asked whether they should be overruled and the scheme progress as planned or whether parts of the scheme should be altered or omitted.
The Lead Assistant District Manager advised that one objector was currently accessing off-street parking at his property by vehicle illegally, as no dropped kerb had been provided. Amendments to the scheme had been offered to him but rejected by him. The other objection would require an amendment to the waiting restrictions which would leave insufficient room to park without affecting a neighbour’s driveway.
ACTION AGREED:-
that consent be given for the two objections to the scheme to be overruled.
36/11OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE OF HERTFORDSHIRE HIGHWAYS
This report advised the Panel of the performance of Hertfordshire Highways in the District of Three Rivers.
Councillor Stephen Giles-Medhurstrepeated his question asked at the previous meeting concerning how charter mark lighting levels would be monitored in the future with only part time night time lighting.
The Highways Manager replied that a Working Party would review service performance levels and formulate proposals. Changes to Herts Highways and to the contractors had impacted on performance during December, which was anticipated.
ACTION AGREED:-
that the report be noted.
37/11PROPOSED NATIONAL GRID GAS (NGG) WORKS2 – 2012/13
This report informed the Panel on: a significant programme of major mains replacement works in the Watford and ThreeRivers area for 2012/13. It was proposed to hold a separate meeting for Members on Monday 6 February 2012 at 4.00pm at Shire House, Watford, where NGG would present their outline programme and traffic management proposals for these schemes.
In response to questions the Lead Assistant District Manager confirmed that the meeting would be for Councillors only but that NGG would undertake wide street-by-street publicity, including letters to all affected households, in advance of the works.
ACTION AGREED:-
that the information be noted.
38/11COUNTY COUNCIL POLICY ON THE PROVISION OF STREET SALT BINS
Councillor Pam Hames stated that during the previous year she and other Members had successfully requested the removal of some salt bins in residential streets to more appropriate locations and seven new bins had been installed. More recently she had been informed that this could no longer be undertaken. She asked whether the rules had been changed.
The Lead Assistant District Manager replied that the rules had been changed and that no provision had been made for salt bins in the current year. Existing bins could be replaced if they were in a dangerous condition. CountyCouncillors might wish to relocate existing bins not required in their current locations, using their locality budgets.