Agenda and minutes

The Chairman welcomed all attendees to the meeting and invited Councillors and Officers to introduce themselves.

Apologies were received from Harlow District Councillor Guy Mitchinson and Essex County Councillor Tony Durcan.

RESOLVED that Essex County Councillor Eddie Johnson is elected as Chairman of the Panel and Essex County Councillor Mike Danvers is elected as Vice-Chairman, for the 2013/14 year.

Two members of the public had submitted written questions (attached) and were in attendance to address them to the Panel. The following responses were provided:

(a) John Curry, Harlow & Stort Valley CTC

Officers advised Mr Curry that Essex County Council undertakes consultation with cycling groups as part of scheme development and would provide him with the details of proposed designs and locations of improvement works. The Chairman thanked Mr Curry for his input and urged all cyclists to contact their local Councillor if they have suggestions or concerns with individual areas of the Harlow cycle network.

Officers also advised Mr Curry of ECCs procedure for considering changes to speed limits on carriageways, including the Casualty Reduction Criteria.

(b) Paul McLintic, Harlow Civic Society

The Chairman thanked Mr McLintic for his question, but advised that proposals for an M11 Junction 7(a) referred to in his question did not fall within the remit of the Panel, which exists to develop and monitor minor capital schemes.

Several questions were raised concerning parking at locations including Priory Road and Hart Road, Old Harlow, and Minchen Road. Officers advised that the Harlow Local Highways Panel cannot propose parking schemes as they are the responsibility of the North Essex Parking Partnership (NEPP), but can allocate a portion of its budget to feasibility studies for parking improvements.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 4 March 2013 are agreed as a correct record.

Updates on capital schemes in the previous financial year

The Panel received a report from Essex County Council on the status of minor schemes previously approved by the Panel.

RL provided some further updates on several of the listed schemes, including dates of installation for several items. She advised she will liaise with JM regarding which sites should be included in the design works for parking, referenced in the final row of the table in the report submitted.

RESOLVED that the report is noted.

Summary of schemes validated and available to commit funds to

The Panel received a report from Essex County Council which included several proposed minor schemes for inclusion in Harlow’s 2013/14 capital allocation.

RESOLVED that the proposed 2013/14 schemes as listed in the report submitted are forwarded for Cabinet sign-off, with the following qualifications:

(a)  Casualty Reduction Schemes – (1) Fourth Avenue (j/w North Gate and Velizy Avenue)

Councillors expressed concern about the potential effect of a crossing at this site and suggested it (i) could direct Town Centre-bound pedestrians toward the busy junction with Velizy Aveue, (ii) might increase congestion for vehicles at peak periods and (iii) may have to be removed if the northern end of the Town Centre is redeveloped. An alternative option for barriers along Fourth Avenue, North (supermarket) side at an estimated total cost of £10,000 was proposed.

RESOLVED that the proposed pedestrian crossing scheme as outlined in Appendix One to the report submitted not be pursued in 2013/14, and £10,000 instead be allocated for installation of barriers along Fourth Avenue to deter unsafe crossing at this site.

(b)  Bus Stop Improvements – (2) King Harold’s Head, Nazeing Common.

RESOLVED that this site not be included as it is outside Harlow District.

(c)  Minor Schemes – (4) District Wide Parking Schemes

RESOLVED that £60,000 is included from the 2013/14 capital allocation to this scheme, in addition to the £42,000 carried over from the previous year (agreed at the March 2013 meeting).

A supplementary report was circulated, detailing two further proposed schemes, which were as follows:

(d)  Crossing at A414/Station Road / Landscaping to increase visibility

DS advised that an ECC major capital scheme was already being investigated at this location, and would include a pedestrian crossing point. He also advised that shrubbery at this location was intended to reduce speed of vehicles approaching the roundabout.

RESOLVED that this scheme is not included in the 2013/14 allocation.

(e)  Little Parndon Primary School – parking restrictions to improve safety

RL advised that funds previously agreed in March 2013 for improvements to barriers and signage outside schools could be used to address this request.

RESOLVED that this scheme is funded from previously allocated funds and not included in the 2013/14 capital allocation.

Two further schemes were suggested by members of the Panel, as follows

(f)   Potter Street, One Way System along Potter Street for Southbound traffic

RESOLVED that this scheme not be included in the 2013/14 capital allocation at this stage, pending further consultation with local Councillors and residents.

(g)  Mini roundabout at j/w Southern Way / Tawneys Road to replace traffic lights

RESOLVED that £10,000 to fund a feasibility study for this scheme is included in the 2013/14 capital allocation.

A summary of schemes recommended for sign-off is attached as Appendix A to these minutes.

Rangers report (for information)

Revenue expenditure items

The Panel received a report from Essex County Council on the Highways Rangers Service. Councillors were encouraged to report highways related defects to ECC by sending an email to the address listed on the report highway.enquirieswest@essex.gov.uk.

RL confirmed that funding for a pedestrian-vehicle ratio analysis for Hamstel Road could be met from Highways Rangers revenue expenditure in 2013/14. The analysis will help to determine if a crossing at this location is feasible.

The Panel agreed that £1,000 of the revenue allocation be set aside for speed surveys at locations in Harlow.

RESOLVED that the report is noted.

For information

The Panel received an information report from Essex County Council on scheduled capital maintenance to highways in Harlow in 2013/14. RL explained that local Councillors would be contacted to warn of any disruption likely to be caused by maintenance in their Ward, prior to work commencing.

Members of the Panel queried the exact location of footway works on Howard Way, on page 25 of the report submitted. 

RESOLVED that the report is noted.

Verbal update

DS provided a verbal report on a current major capital scheme to ease congestion at the Clock Tower Roundabout on A414/Second Avenue by providing slip lanes. The scheme has been funded from the Government’s ‘Pinchpoint’ initiative, which requires works to be completed by March 2015.

The Panel asked for an update on the proposed extension to the 30mph speed limit on Hobbs Cross Road. RL advised the extension has been advertised and installation is expected shortly.

To agree dates for future meetings in 2013/14 around the following times:

·         September 2013

·         November 2013

·         February 2014

The following dates were agreed for Panel meetings in 2013/14:

·         Tuesday 3 September 2013, 7pm (venue to be determined)

·         Thursday 7 November 2013, 10am in the Council Chamber, Civic Centre.

The meeting of the Panel in February 2014 will be agreed at a later date.