Borough of Poole - Transportation Advisory Group 8 May 2014

BOROUGH OF POOLE - TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY GROUP – 8 MAY 2014

BOROUGH OF POOLE

TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY GROUP

23 OCTOBER 2014

The Meeting commenced at 7:00pm and concluded at 8:28pm

Present:

Councillor Mrs Stribley (Chairman) Councillor Trent (Vice-Chairman) Councillors Burden, Mrs Clements, Mrs Le Poidevin, Wilkins and Miss Wilson

Other Members present:

Councillor Parker, Ward Member for item Councillor Potter, Portfolio Holder with responsibility for Transportation Services

Officers present:

Julian McLaughlin, Head of Transportation Services Jason Benjamin, Transportation Services for items TAG 29.14 and 30.14

Members of the public in attendance: 8

TAG24.14 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

None received.

TAG25.14 DECLARATIONS OF DISCLOSABLE PECUNIARY INTEREST

There were no declarations of disclosable pecuniary interest.

TAG26.14 MINUTES

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Meeting held on 18 September 2014, having previously been circulated, be taken as read, approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

With reference to the audible signals, the Chairman advised that these had largely been resolved. No date was yet known for the signals at Ashley Road.

TAG27.14 URGENT BUSINESS

There were no items of urgent business.

1 BOROUGH OF POOLE - TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY GROUP – 8 MAY 2014

TAG28.14 PETITION FOR TRAFFIC CALMING/CLOSURE OF ALEXANDRA ROAD

The Head of Transportation Services advised on a recent petition, primarily signed by residents of Alexandra Road, that had been submitted to Council and referred to TAG for consideration.

Concerns had been raised over speed and traffic and a road closure had been requested to reduce the impact of traffic in this area.

The Head of Transportation Services reminded members of traffic calming measures which had been put in place in Alexandra Road in 2006 and went through criteria which could result in further measures being taken.

His report detailed average speeds and accidents along the road and outlined the possible options which could address residents’ concerns such as road closure, traffic calming, 20mph residential zone, speed enforcement and introducing a community watch scheme.

In conclusion, whilst noting concerns of residents, he recommended that the closure of the road was not appropriate and would have an adverse impact on the local road network. He did however advise that Alexandra Road could be considered as part of the wider 20mph residential zone in the future, concerns over speed could be forwarded to the Dorset Road Safe Team and residents should be encouraged to participate in a Community Speed Watch Scheme.

Mr Bennett, on behalf of the Petitioners, addressed the Committee and advised that residents were concerned over the increased speed and volume of traffic along Alexandra Road. This was a desirable residential area consisting of family homes and adjacent to Alexander Park. This had seen significant investment over recent years which had compounded the traffic problems and also increased dangers to pedestrians. School children and elderly residents from the nursing home frequently crossed the road and the speeding traffic was a serious concern.

He felt that the measures taken in 2006 had been largely ineffective and urged members to address the problems of increased traffic, speed, noise and disturbance caused by cars using this road as a “rat run” to avoid Ashley Road.

He further brought Members’ attention to recent accidents which were not included in the report.

The Head of Transportation Services advised that the accident record used only went up to June 2014 and apologised if any latest incidents had not been included.

Councillor Parker acknowledged the well organised consultation undertaken by the residents. He advised that he had been the portfolio holder in 2006 when the original traffic scheme had been considered and implemented. He felt that there was an urgent need to address the high speeds and increased

traffic along Alexander Road. He advised that this was exacerbated due to road works taking place along Ashley Road but did not feel that the traffic would alter greatly once these were completed.

He hoped members would recommend further consultation to look closely at what could be done to address these issues. He further added that that the red box at Richmond/Woking Road had been effective but unfortunately had faded and he urged members to propose that this be reinstated.

Members appreciated the concerns raised by residents and acknowledged that the speed and volume of traffic along Alexandra Road needed to be addressed. They could not support a road closure however supported the officer recommendations that consideration be given to it being included in a 20mph zone and that residents be encouraged to participate in the Community Speed Watch Scheme. Members also agreed that officers should alert the Dorset Road Safe team of the local concerns.

A member suggested that perhaps parking restrictions or placing visible white lines might have an impact on driver behaviour and this could be looked at by the Area Committee which had funds available for minor schemes.

Members agreed that a strategic overview of Alexandra Road and surrounding roads was needed to look at options to alleviate the problems. They further supported the Ward councillor’s proposal that the red box at Richmond/Woking Road should be maintained.

The Head of Transportation Services advised that he would ensure that the red box re-paint would be undertaken. He also noted his concern over the negative impact that any Alexandra Road closure would have on emergency vehicle access.

A member proposed that the Speed Indicator Device be placed along the road to help reduce the speed of vehicles. This was seconded and unanimously agreed.

The Chairman suggested that it might help if traffic was banned from making a right turn from Ashley Road into Weymouth Road. The Head of Transportation Services advised that this would need to be looked at separately to assess the impact on other junctions.

Recommended that the Portfolio Holder note the concerns of the petitioners and they be advised that:

i) It is not considered appropriate to close Alexandra Road due to the adverse impact on the local road network; ii) Due to the relatively low injury accident record physical traffic calming or other major works could not be justified at the present time; iii) The Alexandra Road area be added for consideration as part of the wider 20mph residential zone programme across the Borough;

iv) The concerns over speeds be forwarded to Dorset Road Safe for consideration of enforcement; v) Residents be encouraged to participate in a Community Speed Watch Scheme by contacting their Safer neighbourhood Team; vi) The Speed Indicator Device be considered for placement in Alexandra Road; and vii) Further officer investigation of low cost options be reported to Area Committee to help improve the situation, including the possible use of further white lining and parking alteration.

For – i) to vii) all unanimous

TAG29.14 POTENTIAL IMPACT ON USE OF CCTV CAMERA SAFETY CAR FOLLOWING GOVERNMENT PROPOSALS LIMITING USE

The Head of Transportation Services submitted a report highlighting the Government’s announcement under the Deregulation Bill to limit the use of the mobile CCTV cars so that they could no longer be used for loading ban restrictions.

Jason Benjamin, Parking Manager, reminded members that the main areas addressed by the car were dangerous and illegal parking outside schools, bus stops, taxi ranks and loading bans in busy roads. He advised on the number of PCNs issued in 2012/13 and 2013/14, the majority of which were for misuse of a loading ban. Removal of this enforcement would have a considerable impact on the overall parking enforcement service delivery across the borough.

In answer to a question, the Head of Transportation Services, confirmed that the number of PCNs issued around schools had been low. He considered that the careful introduction of the car as well as its subsequent presence had been enough to reduce poor parking with a significant change in driver behaviour.

A member referred to the money invested in efforts to reduce parking at Bishop Aldhelm’s school, however there were major issues with parking in this location. The Head of Transportation agreed to look into this matter, restating that for many other schools a positive improvement had been evident.

Members noted the possible changes and stated their strong support for the mobile safety car and the positive impact it had made. They considered that withdrawal of the mobile device in enforcing loading ban parking would be detrimental. The Head of Transportation reiterated that officers would monitor the situation and consider whether it would be possible for the car to be deployed in other ways ready to report back to TAG in the event that the legislation changed.

The Chairman suggested that members and public lobby Government supporting the existing effective use of the mobile safety camera car.

RECOMMENDED that members note:

 The potential change in parking enforcement due to the Government’s Deregulation Bill which might result in cessation of the Borough of Poole camera car enforcement of loading bans in 2015.  That officers prepare plans in advance to adjust deployment use of the camera safety car and monitor the performance in order to report back to TAG at a future meeting.

TAG30.14 ENFORCEMENT IMPACT OF DVLA TAX DISC CHANGES FOR DISABLED TAX EXEMPT VEHICLES

The Head of Transportation Services submitted the report, for information, advising Members of the implications to car park enforcement as the DVLA had removed it’s on line category status for checking disabled tax exempt vehicles (DTEVs) making it impossible for Civil Enforcement Officers (CEOs) to check validity.

Jason Benjamin, Parking Manager, reiterated that it made it extremely difficult for CEOs to identify tax exempt vehicles and inevitably some tickets would be issued to holders.

He advised that a press release had been issued and information was on the website advising members of the public of this change but unfortunately there was not much else the Borough could do at this stage. Concerns had been raised with the DVLA and he was hopeful that the system would be reinstated. The Leader of the Council also planned to write to the DVLA raising concerns.

Members considered that good communication with residents and visitors was essential and discussed possible solutions such as permits being issued, however there would be financial and administrative issues to consider. It was agreed that the Public should have the situation fully explained i.e. the DVLA had caused this issue rather than the Borough of Poole.

Recommended that Members note:

 That in order to continue enforcing the free parking concession for disability tax exempt vehicles, existing holders will need to display their nil tax disc (even though it is out of date) and that new holders will need to contact the council and register their vehicle details in order to avoid a PCN  Officers will monitor the new enforcement arrangement and will present a report to TAG at a future meeting if this revised method proves to be too onerous and expensive to enforce  It is anticipated that DVLA will change their web tax disc checking portal to enable CEOs to undertake disability tax disc status checks using existing hand held terminals in the near future.

TAG31.14 CAPITAL AND LSTF PROGRAMMES 2014/15 – BUDGET MONITORING AND VIREMENTS

The Head of Transportation Services reported, for information only, in year progress on schemes within the approved LTP and LSTF programmes.

He advised that there were no major virements to note and drew Members attention to Appendix B listing significant works which would continue to take place early in 2015.

A member raised his concern regarding the bus quality agreement and the apparent reluctance of the Yellow bus company to cooperate across the two Boroughs to provide a comprehensive bus service for residents. Members concurred that there were problems with some existing services some of which were subsidised and highlighted the need for Yellow Buses and Go South to work together as far as possible to provide an effective operation for its customers.

The Head of Transportation Services highlighted that according to the most recent DfT statistics Poole had shown the highest level of growth in the Country for bus patronage followed closely by Bournemouth. Clearly if some subsidised services were to reduce then this would have a negative influence.

He added that he was to meet with the two operators at Managing Director level in order to negotiate a way forward and to help facilitate closer working where possible.

Recommended that members note:

 In year progress on schemes within the already approved LTP and LSTF Programmes, as shown in Appendices A and B  Capital virements (no.3) as shown in Appendix A; and  Capital and Revenue virements (No.2) as shown in Appendix B

TAG32.14 TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY GROUP FORWARD PLAN

The Chairman advised that there were no major issues for discussion at the next meeting and proposed that this be cancelled. This was seconded and unanimously agreed.

Resolved that the meeting scheduled for 20 November 2014 be cancelled.

CHAIRMAN