Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence from Councillors.

The Chairman welcomed Sonia Church, Highways Liaison Manager, Essex County Council, to the meeting and invited her to introduce herself. Sonia will be present at future meetings of the Panel as appropriate.

Apologies of absence were received from Harlow Councillor Muriel Jolles and Officer Joe McGill.

To receive Councillors’ declarations of interest (if any) in relation to any matters on the agenda.

None.

To agree the minutes of the meeting held on 11 September 2014.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 11 September 2014 are agreed as a correct record.

None.

The Panel received a report from Essex County Council on the status of schemes approved 2012/13, 2013/14 and 2014/15.

Rissa Long, Highways Liaison Officer, provided some further updates on several of the listed schemes as follows:

LHAR004001 - Cycling facilities, various locations, to be progressed shortly.

LHAR007001 - Estate Parking, congestion relief - work has commenced, disruption is likely over several weeks but will be kept to a minimum. 

LHAR006001 - It was noted that the railings at Little Parndon School are confirmed to be erected on 23 February 2015.

LHAR132022 - It was noted that Officers are undergoing a review of Harlow wide road signs.  Action: Rissa to obtain an update from David Sellings, Economic Development Officer, and update at the next meeting of the Panel.

LHAR142007 - design works for echelon parking scheme at Moorfields.  Action:  Rissa to progress commencement.

RESOLVED that the report is noted.

Summary of schemes for potential consideration in 2015/16.

The Panel received a list of potential schemes for 2015/16 from Essex County Council.

Passenger Transport:

Ref 11, Kiln Lane, Bentley Drive, install new bus shelter - Councillor Edna Stevens explained the reasons why a shelter is requested at this location.  The Panel was minded that this potential scheme should be progressed when funding becomes available.  The relocation of an almost new shelter at Elizabeth Way to Kiln Lane will depend on its design.  Action: Rissa to clarify the design.

RESOLVED that the report is noted.

In addition to the potential schemes listed the following items were discussed:

a)    Rissa advised that the speed survey at Kingsmoor Road is confirmed and will be progressed.

b)    It was agreed that a feasibility study for an additional zebra crossing in Church Langley is added to the potential schemes list 2015/16.

c)    Councillor Tony Hall reported concerns with flooding in the footpath at Potter Street that leads to Spinning Wheel Mead School possibly due to building works at Carters Mead.  Action: Councillor Tony Hall to progress with Councillor Tony Durcan as Portfolio Holder for Regeneration and update at next meeting of the Panel.

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

1.    Works at the Clocktower roundabout are ongoing and on schedule for completion July 2015.

2.    Improvement works at First Avenue/A414 are due to start July 2015.

3.    Access to the Enterprise Zone is due to start July 2015.

4.    Improvement works at the Cambridge Road roundabout are due to start 2016/17.

5.    The proposed M11 junction 7a public consultation has been delayed.  Improvements to M11 junction 7 are being progressed.

a)    Councillor David Carter drew the Panels attention to the congestion on Edinburgh way possibly caused by separate entrance/exits to Harlow Retail Park (Argos) and Queensgate Retail Park (Laura Ashley).  Councillor Eddie Johnson advised that this is not within the remit of the Panel.  Action:  David Sprunt to update at the next meeting of the Panel.

b)    Councillor Tony Hall advised that the no right turn at the Aldi supermarket at the Stow is potentially dangerous because cars use the Post Office junction to turn around.  Action: Joe McGill to provide an update on the recent access consultation at the next meeting of this Panel.

It was agreed that the date of the next meeting would be arranged and Councillors would be notified appropriately.