Diss Town Council

DISS TOWN COUNCIL MINUTES

Minutes of the meeting of the Infrastructure Committee held in the Council Chamber at Diss Youth & Community Centre on Wednesday 26 th April 2017 at 7:15pm.

Present: Councillors A. Kitchen G. Minshull (ex-officio) D. Traube Mrs F. Wenman S. Olander (C) K. Kiddie

In attendance: Ms D Sarson, Town Clerk Councillor Mason Councillor Wenman District Councillor Palmer Three members of the public

INF0417/1 APOLOGIES Apologies were received and accepted from Councillors Bardwell and Gibson.

INF0417/2 NOMINATION OF SUBSTITUTE REPRESENTATIVES There were none.

INF0417/3 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST 1 AND REQUESTS FOR DISPENSATIONS Minute No. Councillor’s Personal/ Pecuniary Reason Name Other Interest Interest

INF0417/11 K. Kiddie ü The Councillors are elected members of G. Minshull ü South Norfolk District Council. INF0417/08 S. Olander ü The Councillor resides on a neighbouring estate to one of the areas to be included.

INF0417/4 MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING It was

RESOLVED: that the minutes of the Infrastructure Committee held on 22nd February 2017 were a true record and were duly signed by the Chairman.

INF0417/5 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION Councillors considered a resolution under Standing Orders 3 d., e., f., g. & h to suspend the meeting to receive comments from members of the public on items to be discussed on the agenda. The members of the public in attendance would be invited to speak at the appropriate item.

INF0417/6 ITEMS OF URGENT BUSINESS There was none.

INF0417/7 VINCES ROAD JUNCTION IMPROVEMENTS Councillors noted the response received from the Chairman of the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) to the Council’s letter requesting an update on the funding situation in respect of Vinces Road. The Clerk advised that the LEP were awaiting confirmation from Government whether they would receive any element of their capital growth fund in this financial year. An Economic Strategy is currently being developed with key stakeholders, to be published in the autumn. This will be used to set the criteria to assess projects which are on the list such as the Vinces Road junction improvements to determine their ability to deliver on the economic strategy and therefore their priority for funding.

Discussion was held about the increasing severity of the problems experienced at peak times with Midwich staff reporting a 45-minute delay in getting out on to Victoria Road and reports from residents of a worsening situation. The result is significant and disruptive displaced parking, particularly on Frenze Road and Frenze Hall Lane. It was reported there are now four substantial businesses operating from within the Vinces Road area. The junction issues are exacerbated by a noted increase in A1066 traffic since the A11 dualling scheme was completed with navigational systems directing traffic from strategic routes south and west via Diss to access the A143. There is now a considerable risk that the town’s largest employer, Midwich, will be forced to seek premises elsewhere.

Infrastructure Committee 26.04.17 Page 1 of 3 It was suggested that one reasonably simple solution would be to move the bus stop (and shelter) to the west side of the junction to force a stop in the traffic heading east to allow traffic out instead of creating further congestion as with the current location. It was pointed out that the bus stop is specifically for access to the train station but with the proposals for Nelson Road (see agenda item below), buses would be able to access the station directly at which point the bus stop could be moved. Another suggestion was a ‘stop’ junction on the mini roundabout from the west, however it was felt this would not be permissible on a roundabout.

Frustration was expressed that the junction improvements couldn’t be delivered within the twelve-month delivery requirement for the latest capital fund received by the Highways Authority and it was

RESOLVED: to arrange a meeting with relevant Officers at Norfolk County Council to discuss all the issues in the area including Vinces Road, Nelson Road and the option of moving the bus stop. (Action: Clerk; by 16.06.17) INF0417/8 DISS TRAFFIC REGULATION ORDER Councillors received a verbal update on delivery of the Traffic Regulation Order for Diss including Denmark Street, Frenze Road and Frenze Hall Lane. The Clerk reported that because there were objections to the proposed scheme, a report had to be prepared for consideration and sign off by the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Environment, Development & Transport Committee and the Programme Engineer. The report considered three options, including abandoning the scheme, but proposed delivery of it as per the consulted-on plans. Two signatures have been acquired and one is awaited. Once this has been achieved, then it will be sent through to the legal team to make the Traffic Regulation Order and the double yellow lines will be installed as soon as possible thereafter. The scheme is likely to be delivered within the next couple of months.

INF0417/9 NELSON ROAD Councillors noted the papers submitted by District Councillor Palmer to Norfolk County Council (herewith) to justify the proposal to connect Nelson Road with the railway station, the design of which is now underway, and to set up a Task & Finish Group to meet with the designers to ensure a well-designed scheme taking account of all factors. Councillor Palmer advised that Abellio is wishing to restore the Railway Group and is seeking a meeting at which the issue will be discussed. Land ownership is complex because NCC has confirmed multiple ownership. Funding for developing the plans for the scheme has come from the National Productivity Investment Fund and it is hoped that future capital funds in 2018/19 could be found to fund delivery of the scheme. Councillor Palmer agreed to set up a meeting with Abellio to look at re-establishing the railway group. Options for a meeting to discuss Nelson Road and wider traffic issues would be investigated. It was

RESOLVED: that District Councillor Palmer and Councillor Olander would meet with Abellio to discuss re-establishing the Railway Station Group and the Clerk would arrange a meeting as per above INF0417/07. (Action: Clerk/TP; by 16.06.17) INF0417/10 DISS STATION RAILWAY GROUP An update was provided by District Councillor Palmer under the previous item.

INF0417/11 BROWN TOURISM SIGNS Councillors considered the requirements for brown tourism signs for Diss on key routes. It was

RESOLVED: that Councillors Kiddie and Olander would take a lead on improving brown tourism signs. (Action: SO/KK; by 23.08.17) INF0417/12 MERE STREET Councillors considered what action can be taken in respect of the general condition of Mere Street. Discussion was held around creating a link between Morrisons and the town centre to encourage more people to visit the town; a gateway or something similar to the Heritage Triangle entrance signs or a novelty sign like at Southwold pier. It was noted that once the Heritage Triangle scheme is complete, it should have several benefits including generating footfall between each end of town and it is hoped that the general condition of the buildings and street scene will improve as a result, given the responsibilities of landlords and tenants for maintenance of the buildings. It was agreed that it would pay to wait until the scheme has been in place for a time and review the situation.

INF0417/13 PROGRESS REPORT Councillors noted the progress report from the last meeting of the Infrastructure committee.

INF0417/14 DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING Councillors noted that the next meeting of the Infrastructure Committee is set for 28th June 2017.

2 Meeting Closed at 8.30pm

______Councillor Olander CHAIRMAN

Infrastructure Committee 26.04.17 Page 3 of 3