Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence from Councillors.

Apologies were received from Harlow Councillor Mark Wilkinson and Principal Area Transportation Co-ordinator, David Sprunt.

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

None.

To agree the minutes of the meeting held 8 January 2015.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 8 January 2015 are agreed as a correct record.

Matters Arising

Further to minute 87 (c), Councillor Tony Durcan provided a brief update to the Panel on works to remedy flooding at the footpath connecting Potter Street with Spinning Wheel Mead School.

Further to minute 87 (a), Rissa Long agreed to send results of the Kingsmoor Road speed survey to the Panel once data is available.

Further to minute 89 (a), the Panel suggested physical measures to prevent right hand turns at the Aldi supermarket be explored. Joe McGill said we would provide an update on the matter to Panel members shortly.

Further to queries on minutes 88 (specifically on the Clock Tower Roundabout improvements and Enterprise Zone access) and 89 (a), Rissa advised that, as David Sprunt was not in attendance, Councillors should email him directly with their questions.

None.

The Panel received a report from Essex County Council on the status of schemes approved in 2012/13, 2013/14 and 2014/15. Rissa provided some further updates on several of the schemes listed, as follows:

LHAR142002 – Partridge Road replacement of speed cushions – this scheme is nearly complete.

LHAR142005 – Howard Way j/w Altham Grove feasibility study for mini roundabout – the finish date listed in the report is an error; results of the study are expected shortly.

LHAR142008 – Parsloe Road VAS sign – information is awaited on design from Harlow Officers before this scheme can be further progressed.

LHAR142013 – Fourth Avenue guard railing – as indicated in the email to Panel members of 17 March, a number of utility cables found unexpectedly under the surface at the site means the scheme cannot be progressed in its current form (the costs of which could exceed £100k). The Panel discussed alternative options for the site that could be achieved within the approved budget. It was agreed Officers would talk to the Sainsbury’s store manager about options for closing the stairway between the store and Fourth Avenue and also explore options for improved physical barriers around the Post Office Car Park on the south side of Fourth Avenue, currently used as an entry point to the town centre by pedestrians crossing Fourth Avenue.

LHAR142013 – Church Langley Way relining – the feasibility study for this scheme is now complete. Funding for implementation is to be agreed in the next year.

LHAR145003 to 145005 – replacement bus shelters at Paringdon Rd and Hobtoe Rd – these schemes are now complete.

LHAR141002-141004 – Third and Fourth Avenue improvement works – these schemes will be progressed, but as they are not being funded from the Highways Panel’s budget, they have been removed from the report.

The Panel further discussed the following schemes:

LHAR142003 – town-wide implementation of bus lane usage for taxis – the Panel noted that traffic lights controlling merging of the bus lane on Second Avenue near Harlow LeisureZone only added to traffic flow problems for vehicles in both lanes. It was suggested that disabling the lights would improve traffic flow. The Panel agreed to request a trial of turning off the lights, whilst options for a more permanent solution were explored.

LHAR145001- main bus terminal electronic passenger information sign – the Panel noted that passenger information signs at the main terminal and at bus stops displayed only timetable information, not real time information. The Chairman said he would investigate progress on real time bus information implementation.

RESOLVED that:

A  Alternative options for the Fourth Avenue guard railing scheme are          explored and a report made to the next meeting.

B  the report is noted.

Summary of schemes for potential consideration in 2015/16.

The Panel received a report on potential 2015/16 schemes from Essex County Council. Comment was offered on the following schemes:

Passenger transport  Refs 12-16, Councillor Danvers noted that, due to the size of new bus cages and entry/exit points, installation of these cages would exacerbate parking problems for residents along Momples Road by reducing existing roadside parking. The Panel agreed that these schemes be progressed, but options for ameliorating parking problems on the road also be explored via a separate scheme (see below). The Panel also asked that restrictions on parking near the new bus cages be reviewed, so residents are not unfairly punished when parking there at night time.

The Panel discussed a number of other possible schemes that could be pursued in 2015/16:

1.    Scheme to prevent verge parking at St. John’s Avenue, Old Harlow.

2.    Scheme to provide additional parking at the Oxleys, Old Harlow, possibly involving removal of an island.

3.    A pedestrian crossing at Old Hall Rise, Church Langley to promote safer journeys to school.

4.    Moving existing bus stop at Harefield to Latton Hall Close or creating an additional bus stop at the site, to provide better public transport links for residents of Latton Hall Close and ease parking problems at Harefield.

5.    Town-wide scheme to tackle congestion by creating off-road parking. The three priority sites suggested were:

a.    Momples Road

b.    Maddox Road

c.    The Hides.

Councillors suggesting the schemes above were asked to complete a scheme request form so the exact details and locations of the proposal could be examined by Highways Liaison Officers.

Councillor Jolles proposed a scheme to introduce a speed restriction on Gilden Way. The Panel agreed that this scheme not be progressed. It was noted that, despite anecdotal evidence of near-misses, there had been no concerns raised by Police or other emergency services relating to this road in recent years.

Councillor Hall raised an issue of an overgrown footpath in Church Langley. The Chairman advised this would be an appropriate task for the Highways Rangers and asked Officers to refer the matter to them.

RESOLVED that:

A     The passenger transport, casualty reduction and traffic management schemes as detailed in the report submitted, totalling £356,000, are progressed for 2015/16.

B    The five additionally suggested schemes identified above are progressed for 2015/16, subject to receipt by the Highways Liaison Officer of a completed scheme request form in each case.

No report was provided.

Joe McGill advised that the off-road parking scheme at Tendring Road was nearing completion and positive feedback had been received from residents on its design.

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