HOLYWELL TOWN COUNCIL

CYNGOR TREF TREFFYNNON

Minutes of the Meeting of the Transport & Local Development Committee held in the Council Chamber, Bank Place Offices, Holywell on Wednesday 17th July 2019 at 2.00pm. ______

PRESENT: Councillor R. Dolphin (Chair – see minute TLD1). Councillors: I. Hodge, P.A. Johnson, E.B. Palmer and B. Scragg.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE were received from Councillors J.M. Johnson and P.A. York.

IN ATTENDANCE: J. Baker (Clerk) and M.G. Fearnley (Projects & Development Officer).

TLD1. ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN – 2019/20

RESOLVED:

That Councillor R. Dolphin is elected Chair of the Transport & Local Development Committee for 2019/20.

TLD2. APPOINTMENT OF VICE-CHAIR - 2019/20

RESOLVED:

That Councillor P.A. Johnson is appointed Vice- Chair of the Transport & Local Development Committee for 2019/20.

TLD3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST – MEMBERS’ CODE OF CONDUCT

None.

TLD4. VEHICULAR ACCESS ISSUES

Anthony Stanford, Transport Manager, County Council attended for this item. Mr Stanford provided an overview of the technical and legal implications when considering and implementing any changes in policy in relation to road safety, speed limits and vehicular access.

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Councillor E.B. Palmer stated an audit walkaround of key locations across the Holywell had been planned, for County Councillors and FCC Streetscene staff to attend.

There were a number of concerns and suggestions from members summarised as follows:

• Old Chester Road – bollards and/or conversion to cul-de-sac. • Street/ Street – no left turn access. • Pen y Ball Street – one-way system. • Rosehill – one-way system. • Ysgol Treffynnon – 20mph speed limit. • Pen-y-Maes Road – repositioning of signs.

Mr Stanford advised that all would be subject to traffic orders and in some cases special approval from Welsh Government. There was budget provision to cover 5 changes per year for Flintshire as a whole.

Members also referred to general observations such as road conditions, pathways, boundaries and overhanging trees which should be picked up as part of the walkaround review.

RESOLVED:

That Anthony Stanford be thanked for his attendance and the advice given.

TLD5. GATEWAY SIGNS PROJECT

The Projects & Development Officer provided an update on the work undertaken by the working party and the progress made on the feasibility study by Gethin Owens, Stiwdio Owens.

Members endorsed the proposed designs and locations for the six gateway signs to be positioned at suitable points on the following routes into the town centre:

• Brynford Hill – Walk Theme • Stamford Gate – Events Theme • Carmel Road – Sports Theme • Well Hill – Heritage Theme • Pen-y-Maes Road – Live Theme • Boot Hill – Shop Theme

The signs were to be themed around the “Destination Holywell” branding and contain the Town Council Crest and a bilingual “Welcome to Holywell” message. Some further technical investigations were currently being

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undertaken and it was the intention then to apply for formal planning permission once funding of the signs had been confirmed.

It was noted that the sign positioned before the Stamford Gate was just outside the ward boundary of Holywell West, in the Brynford ward.

RESOLVED:

1) That the Carmel Road and Boot Hill themes are transposed i.e. Sport at Boot Hill and Shop at Carmel Road. Projects and Development Officer to inform Stiwdio Owens.

2) That the Clerk writes to Brynford Community Council to inform them of the Council’s intentions with the Gateway Sign intended to be located in their ward and confirm their support for the project.

3) That Gethin Owens, Stiwdio Owens be thanked for the work undertaken so far, and authorised to continue with the progression of the project.

TLD6. RAILWAY STATION

Councillors P.A. Johnson and B. Scragg provided an update on the progress made on the project to re-open Holywell Junction railway station. Several businesses from Greenfield Business Park and the High Street were now attending the working group meetings. A survey had been designed and several responses had already been received. It was the intention to link this project into the Plan, and also to invite Transport for to the next working group meeting in September.

Phase 3 of the active travel plan involved linking the Greenfield Valley with the Dock by extending the pathway over the existing bridge, past the industrial estate and into the area where the new station could be located. The County Council were to apply for funding in early 2020.

Members discussed the County Council’s Local Development Plan which was to be put out for consultation in September and the Masterplan project, it was seen as critical that the station informs the strategic vision outlined in the LDP. Support for the project had been received from Hall Community Council.

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RESOLVED:

1) That the Clerk contacts Niall Waller, Regeneration Unit, Flintshire County Council, to ascertain the current status of the Holywell Masterplan project.

2) That the Projects & Development Officer provide all members with a link to the railway station survey.

3) That the Clerk contact Andy Roberts, Planning Department, Flintshire County Council, and request that he attend the next meeting, to be scheduled for late August, to discuss the LDP.

4) That the Clerk write to Northop Hall Community Council to thank them for their support with the project.

TLD7. BUS SERVICES

The Chair had allowed this extra item to be considered by members. Councillor B. Scragg outlined a number of concerns in relation to the current bus service provision allocated to the Holywell and Greenfield communities.

These concerns centred on the promotion of the recent community transport pilot scheme, lack of consultation with town and community councils and the deregulation of local bus services and its impact on communities.

Councillor Scragg called on members to support a move to a regulated bus service as part of an integrated transport system, and the introduction of two circular routes which would cover Holywell and the surrounding villages. This would involve work with the private sector to run local services.

RESOLVED:

1) That the Clerk writes to Ken Skates AM, Minister for Economy and Transport to outline members’ concerns, copying in Hannah Blythyn AM for Delyn and Stephen Jones, Chief Officer Streetscene, Flintshire County Council.

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2) That the Clerk contact Ceri Hansom, Streetscene, Flintshire County Council, to express members’ concern at the lack of consultation and request that she attend the next meeting, to be scheduled for late August, to discuss the local bus services.

TLD8. CLOSE OF MEETING

The Chairman closed the meeting at 3.15pm.

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Chairman

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