Agenda and minutes

Apologies of absence were received from Essex County Councillors Mike Danvers and Tony Durcan and Harlow Councillor Phil Waite.

None.

Officers will provide an update on any developments pertaining to matters discussed at the 18 February meeting.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 18 February 2014 are agreed as a correct record.

Further to minute 42, a. (iii) Rissa Long provided an update on the Little Pardon School safety scheme.  Despite initial comments it had been decided that the safety scheme will proceed in principle and a meeting will be arranged with the school after the half term school holiday to discuss taking the scheme forward.

With reference to minute 40 from the 18 February 2014 Panel meeting Mr Vic Potter, Priory Avenue Group was in attendance to address the Panel.  Mr Potter explained that the Priory Avenue Group had recently received the detailed survey results for the speed survey along Priory Avenue. He felt that the additional information shed a different light on the problem and the Panel were asked to take a further look at the situation.

The Chairman expressed sympathy to Mr Potter and explained that the results of the survey do not fulfil Essex County Council criteria for the installation of a vehicle activated sign (VAS) or speed camera.  Rissa Long suggested Community Speed Watch Community Speed Watch which involves using a speed camera provided by the Police, as an alternative to encourage community involvement.

Councillor Garnett suggested the introduction of a ‘no right turn’ on the junction between Priory Avenue and Station Road would help to prevent mis-use of Priory Avenue.  Councillor Garnett was encouraged to complete a scheme request form for consideration at the next meeting of this Group.

The Panel received a report from Essex County Council on the status of minor schemes previously approved by the Panel for 2012/13.  Rissa provided further updates on several of the listed schemes as below:

i.              Minor - Mini round about at junction of Ployters and Southern Way – Installation has been scheduled for Sunday 11 May 2014, there is likely to be some disruption.

ii.            Minor – two VAS signs for Old Road, Old Harlow – It was confirmed that this scheme is due for completion imminently.

iii.           Minor – VAS sign for Parsloe Road – It was confirmed that this scheme has been completed.

iv.           Minor – design works for scheme to relieve estate parking in Harlow – Rissa reported a delay caused by utilities on the ground.

RESOLVED that this report is noted.

The Panel received a report from Essex County Council on the status of minor schemes previously approved by the Panel for 2013/14.

MINOR SCHEME – VAS sign for Rye Hill Road – It was confirmed that the sign will be installed prior to September 2014.

RESOLVED that this report is noted.

Summary of schemes for potential consideration in 2014/15.

Summary of schemes for potential consideration in 2014/15

Councillor Karen Clempner drew the Panel’s attention to the following issue:

Item 1 – Residents have requested that the road hump on the exit of Church End is relocated due to the number of near misses that have taken place at the location.  Councillor Clempner was advised to submit a scheme request form for the issue to be considered at a future meeting of the Panel.

Councillor Tony Hall drew the Panel’s attention to the following issue:

Item 2 – Lorries that park in the clearway at Tesco, Church Langley awaiting access to the yard are considered dangerous.  Council Officers were asked to investigate options for enforcement.

The Panel received a report from Essex County Council which included several potential minor schemes for inclusion in Harlow’s draft 2014/15 capital allocation of £487,315. 

RESOLVED that

A The schemes listed in the report totalling £145,485 were agreed.

B The following additional schemes are progressed:

Item 3 – Town Centre Bus Station signage/display board improvements – estimated cost £25,000

Item 4 – Six month trial to allow use of bus lanes by private hire and other authorised vehicles – estimated cost £52,000.  Councillor Tony Hall asked that his opposition to this scheme be recorded.

Item 5 – Eshelon parking at Moorfields - estimated cost £2,200

Item 6 – Feasibility study into a mini roundabout at junction of Howard Way and Altham Grove - estimated cost £5,000

The Panel received a report which itemised a complete list of works carried out by the Highway Rangers from November 2013 to December 2013.  Details of how to request the services of the Highway Rangers are detailed on page 39 of the report.pack.

RESOLVED that the report is noted.

The specific information needed to be able to discuss the matched funding was not available for the meeting.

David Sprunt provided a verbal update on the following major highways schemes:

1)    Improvement works at Burnt Mill Roundabout have been delayed due to utilities on the ground, but are due for completion in June 2014.

2)    Improvement works at the Clock Tower Roundabout contract has gone out to tender.  The nearby trees have been cleared in preparation for work to start.

3)    The new junction at Newhall which will provide access to the Harlow Enterprise Zone, London Road, is due to commence in November 2014.

None.

17 June 2014 at 7pm.

Tuesday 17 June 2014 at 7pm, in the Council Chamber, Civic Centre, Harlow.