COPELAND HIGHWAYS WORKING GROUP
Minutes of a Meeting of the Copeland Highways Working Group held on Thursday 9 February 2012 at Richmond House, Whitehaven at 1pm.
PRESENT:
Mr FI Morgan (Chair) – Member for Cleator Moor South & Egremont
Mr M Hawkins – Member for Mr A Wonnacott – Member Hensingham & Arlecdon for Hillcrest
Mr G Roberts – Member for Bransty
Also in Attendance:-
Mrs E McQuire - Business Support Assistant Mr K Melville - Area Highways & Transport Manager Mr S Sykes - Better Highways Network Manager
1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were received from and Cllr J Woolley, Cllr S Brown.
2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Cllr Morgan expressed a minor personal interest in item 6 as he knows a member of the family concerned.
3. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed as a true record.
4. SOUTH EGREMONT GROUNDWATER PROJECT
The Area Highways & Transport Manager displayed a plan in the meeting room. He outlined to Members a proposal to run a pipeline from Egremont to the water treatment works at Ennerdale. Installation of a new sewer is to be included in the works. It is proposed to run the pipeline through fields, as this is not feasible from Wath Brow/Cleator it is proposed that the pipeline will continue in the road. The road is to be closed during these works. CCC streetworks staff are liaising with the contractor.
He informed the group that he is currently looking at the opportunity to incorporate highway improvements into the works. He is also looking at the possibility of ducting for broadband under the road. The work is scheduled for around August time starting at Egremont/Thornhill working towards the lake.
The Area Highways & Transport Manager expressed his concerns about the levels of water in the lake and at the weir as the additional water will go straight into the water treatment plan and not into the lake. The situation is to be monitored.
5. HERBICIDE SOLUTION MANAGEMENT – JOINT PERFORMANCE REVIEW 2011
The Area Highways & Transport Manager handed out copies of the above review which he had requested from Copeland Borough Council (CBC). CBC carry out the weedspraying in town centres, within the 30mph limits and also the verge cutting at a cost of £32k.
6. MEMORIAL BENCHES & TREES (CUMBRIA SHOOTINGS) & MEMORIAL, MORESBY PARKS ROAD
The Area Highways & Transport Manager informed the Members that he has received requests for memorials and requested guidance. It was agreed that this is a sensitive subject and needs further investigation. It was also agreed that a countywide policy is needed on the subject.
The Member for Cleator Moor South & Egremont agreed to write to Andrew Moss and Jill Stannard to highlight the issue.
RECOMMEND– that a countywide policy on the subject be investigated.
7. STREETWORKS CO-ORDINATION DATES
The Area Highways & Transport Manager had provided Members with a copy of the co-ordination for the streetworks meetings. It is proposed that all utility companies will be invited to attend these meetings. He welcomed Members input and agreed to provide them with updates in order for them to respond to any electoral enquiries they may receive.
8. SSEP (SELLAFIELD SECURITY PROJECT)
The Area Highways & Transport Manager asked to incorporate agenda item 9 with item 8.
The Area Highways & Transport Manager updated the Members on the current situation involving the Sellafield Site.
Under the S42 the Highways Authority can comment on the effect of the 2 new reactors.
There are a number of different projects ongoing, some of which involve the Highways Authority.
Traffic Calming has been carried out under a S278 Agreement on the access
2 road to Calder Gate and Cumbria Highways have been asked to look at a proposal for a new entrance.
Cumbria Highways are maintaining an involvement in any discussions which affect the highways.
Town Centre
Improvements are planned for the multi storey car park in Whitehaven in order to accommodate the Sellafield staff who will move into the Albion Square development upon its completion.
Suggestions have been made for a new multi storey car park near the Tesco site.
A suggestion has also been made for a multil storey car park at the Ginns site.
A transport hub for park and ride is being considered for Corkickle.
Discussions are ongoing for two roundabouts, one at each end of Coach Road to be included in the proposal for a new stadium.
The Area Highways & Transport Manager expressed his concerns about the traffic flow in the town centre during these works.
He displayed a plan showing all of the proposals for Whitehaven including the traffic regulation orders for Members to get an idea of the scale of work planned for Whitehaven.
Improvements are planned by Network Rail to extend the platform at Corkickle station.
£795k has been secured for the Albion Square junction.
The Area Highways & Transport Manager informed the meeting that areas in other towns are being looked at to site the staff working on the Albion Square development. It was agreed that any facilities created would be for the longer term, enabling them to be used again in the future for other developments.
RECOMMENDED – That the Area Highways & Transport Manager
9. TOWN CENTRE DEVELOPMENT
Discussed under item 8.
10. YEARBOOK
The Area Highways & Transport Manager handed out copies of a yearbook which
3 outlined all of the work carried out in the Copeland Area in the last year. This book was put together by staff members as well as carrying out their normal duties. It is proposed to advertise this work externally.
It was agreed by all that a joined up approach is needed to look at the bigger picture in Copeland and this is currently ongoing involving different directorates within the Council. A session is planned for Members on 1st March.
The meeting ended at 2.15 pm
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