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Minutes WYCOMBE LOCAL COMMITTEE

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE WYCOMBE LOCAL COMMITTEE HELD ON THURSDAY 24 JANUARY 2008 IN LANE END CONFERENCE CENTRE, CHURCH ROAD, LANE END HP14 3HH, COMMENCING AT 6.17 PM AND CONCLUDING AT 8.36 PM

MEMBERS PRESENT

Representative Council, Organisation or Society

Mr Z Mohammed (Vice-Chairman) Buckinghamshire County Council Mr C Ditta Mr F Sweatman Mr P Cartwright Mr D Watson (Chairman) Mrs V Letheren

Mr J Herschel Parish Council Mr J Hambly Parish Council Mr S Appleby Great and Little Hampden Parish Council Mrs S Henson Parish Council Mr D Davies Hughenden Parish Council Mrs S Wright Lane End Parish Council Mr G O'Neill Parish Council Mr W Bendyshe-Brown Town Council Mr M Penny Parish Council Ms V Smith Parish Council

Officers

Mr I Reed Buckinghamshire County Council Mrs S Khan Mr E Meek Ms C Burslem Mr K Moloughney Mrs M Howe Mr J Charlton Mr P Ahluwalia Mr S Orchard Mr T Blackmore Ms F Broadbent

Mrs D Hansen Bradenham Parish Council Mr R C Harboro Parish Council Mr D Instow Residents Association Mrs B Wallace Parish Council Ms J Mann Council Mr D Jarman Hughenden Parish Council Mr D Humphries Traffic Management Shurmer Senior Transport Officer

1 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE / CHANGES IN MEMBERSHIP

Apologies were received from County Councillors David Carroll, Lesley Clarke, Richard Pushman, David Shakespeare, Robert Woollard, Councillor Storey Piddington and , Councillor Walker Hambleden Parish Council and Helen Evans British Horse Society.

2 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

There were none.

3 MINUTES

The minutes of the meeting held on 18 October copies of which had been circulated previously, were approved after the following changes had been made: the name of Mrs Barbara Wallace was changed on the list of attendees as a representative of Little Marlow Parish Council and not Wycombe Association of Local Councils, on page 5 the sentence ‘the Arriva 754 bus route’ was changed to read the ‘7.54am Arriva bus service’, and on Page 8 Robin Thomas and not Robin Evans from Wycombe District Council was welcomed to the meeting.

Ian Reed reported that Mike Appleyard had chaired a public meeting in Marlow in November and that as a result there will be an improvement in bus services. Members were advised that the Cabinet Member for Transportation approved the key report regarding Phase Two of the Street Lighting Programme in December 2007. The enhancement works will now take place from January until March/April. The street lighting columns will be turned off in April /May 2008.

4 MATTERS ARISING

During a discussion the following points were made:

• A member requested that more detailed information be provided on how joint work under the Pathfinder initiative would operate. (Action: Ian Reed) • It was noted that discussions have taken place about the possibility of extending the Park and Ride service because the service currently ceases at approximately 7pm. • A member expressed concern that only 56 days notice had been provided of the opening of the Eden project and he suggested that it would have been useful if a report had been presented to the meeting. The member noted that there will be a large multi screen cinema and a bowling alley. The infrequent bus service during the evenings could det er people from applying for jobs. This was noted. Members requested that a copy of the bus service is distributed with the minutes. ( Action: Si Khan) (Chairman’s note after the meeting the following response was received from Dave Roberts – ‘Arriva have come to an agreement with Multiplex whereby they have made a commercial decision to enhance most of the town centre services by a couple of extra journeys in the evenings for when Eden opens. At present we cannot be specific with regards to which services will be enhanced and are waiting for this information from Arriva which we hope to receive by next week.

We will also be extending the Park & Ride service which will mean the last bus to leave the Town Centre will be 8.15pm. This is to cater for the Eden Shopping Centre customers and staff. Unfortunately, we cannot extend the service to cover the late opening times for the bowling alley and cinema. This extra cost is being funded by the Developer Contribution Fund.

Although normally to advertise and change bus timetables there is a requirement of 56 days notice, however, the operator (Arriva) can put a case for Short Notice Registration and as long as the Council support this the Traffic Commission will generally accept this)’. • A member noted that there had not been a response to his question raised at the previous meeting why work had been undertaken on the A4010. (Action: Mark Averill to investigate and report back to the next meeting). • A member congratulated the County Council on the quality of the repairs that recently been made on the A40 near .

5 QUESTION TIME (INCLUDING PARISH AND TOWN COUNCIL QUESTIONS) / PETITIONS

(a) Petitions

(i) Petition organised by the children of Bowerdean Road,

‘The undersigned children, residents and supporters petition Buckinghamshire County Council to slow down traffic in Bowerdean Road. We are scared to cross the road and need traffic calming measures including speed humps.’ Reply The Casualty Reduction Team is informed by the Police of all personal injury collisions that occur on the highway. It is the responsibility of that team to make investigations into the type of crashes that occur with a view to recommending any potential changes to the highway. This may include making small improvements to the signing and white lines through to designing major junction realignment schemes. Bowerdean Road is a 1.1 km long urban road with streetlights and is subject to a 30 mph speed limit. In the 36 months prior to the end of October 2007, there have been 11 collisions resulting in 13 casualties. The casualties involved 1 fatality, 3 seriously injured and 7 slightly injured people four collisions involved pedestrians aged 10, 12, 18 and 40. The collisions have occurred along the whole length of Bowerdean Road rather than ‘clustered’ at any specific location. Six of the collisions occurred on the shorter section of the road, beyond Totteridge Road. A study carried out by the Transport Research Laboratory identified that 95% of all crashes involve an element of human error whereas the road environment contributes 2%, and defective vehicles contribute 3%. From investigation of contributory factors involved in the collisions in Bowerdean Road the main factor identified by the Police in 6 out of the 11 crashes, for both pedestrians and drivers was ‘Failing to look properly’. Exceeding the speed limit or travelling too fast for the conditions was not identified as a contributory factor in any of the collisions. Whilst accepting that the number of casualties on Bowerdean Road are relatively high, the uniqueness of each of these crashes makes it impossible to offer a solution which would reduce the potential for further casualties to occur. There are however, a number of initiatives, including developing school travel plans and safer routes to schools that the County Council and the Police offer to local people that aim to raise awareness of safety to road users. The Thames Valley Safer Roads Partnership (TVSRP) operates a scheme where requests from the public about speeding are considered for enhanced enforcement, either by Police presence/speed checks or mobile camera enforcement. A Community Concern request was registered by Mark Averill, Acting Infrastructure Manager for Transportation at Buckinghamshire County Council at the request of local residents. This was submitted to the TVSRP to consider for speed enforcement. Following investigations into the suitability of the site, from both the Police and County Council, the TVSRP will make a decision as to whether enforcement is the most appropriate solution. This process is underway. However, on 19 November 2007, in advance of a decision on the Community Concern process, the local neighbourhood policing team, did attempt to carry out speed checks but found that the road was a difficult location for enforcement due to the undulating nature of the road and natural traffic calming caused by parked cars.

The policy of the County Council is to consider the installation of road humps on the public highway as a casualty reduction measure, where excessive speed is recorded as a major causation factor in the reported incidents. County funded road hump schemes are not able to be introduced simply as traffic calming measures.

Although we are not currently able to directly fund a scheme in Bowerdean Road, Wycombe District Council’s, High Wycombe Town Committee may be able to fund a minor traffic calming scheme by applying to the County Council for funding in the way of an interest free loan, repayable over three years, through the traffic-calming budget (previously the forbearance fund).

If speeding is still considered to be the main concern the Council’s ‘Make the Commitment’ scheme may be suitable. The scheme asks drivers to sign a pledge that they will try to keep to the speed limits at all times. The idea behind this scheme is that it will focus a driver’s attention on the speed at which they travel and help them maintain a lower speed. This initiative is most effective when the majority of users are local residents who travel the road regularly and therefore leaflets regarding this scheme could be distributed within the local area alongside further publicity.

Vehicle Activated Signs (VAS) have been developed to address the problem of inappropriate speed where conventional signing has not been effective. They are not a replacement for conventional signing but are designed to be activated by vehicles approaching at a speed above a pre-set level and are intended to provide information to the driver about the speed limit or a hazard ahead. When not activated, the sign remains blank. VAS are permanent post-mounted signs that display either the speed limit or warn of a hazard ahead.

The County Council are also in the process of developing a Temporary Speed Indicator Device (TSID) procedure. TSID’s are post-mounted devices that display either the speed of an approaching vehicle or the speed limit if it is being exceeded. TSID are not prescribed as traffic signs within The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2002 (TSRGD) but trials have indicated that they can be effective at reducing speed when in place and sited appropriately.

The Casualty Reduction Team at Buckinghamshire County Council would be pleased to work with the children and residents of Bowerdean Road to develop any of the above initiatives.

A member asked what action has been taken in response to the petition submitted by the children of Bowerdean, Road, High Wycombe. Ken Moloughney replied that the petition was sent to the Casualty Reduction Team. He added that the statistics for collision rates in the Bowerdean Road area are reviewed annually.

(ii) Petition received from Flackwell Heath Residents’ Association, Police and Traffic Group

‘Present a plan for improvements to highways in Flackwell Heath. Developed by Flackwell Heath Residents, consulted and which represents the views of the village. Although there are no signatures, this is a petition send to the County Council via the Residents Association who have been working on it for over a year.’

Reply

A report from Ken Moloughney was tabled at the meeting. The report concluded that the Flackwell Heath Village Traffic Plan is a comprehensive document that details the traffic and road safety problems that have been raised locally, and lists the main recommendations that have been carefully considered, supported with information recorded from speed surveys undertaken in the village.

The Chairman invited a member of the Flackwell Heath Residents Association to address the meeting. It was reported that in 2003 the Residents’ Association undertook a survey and conducted a survey using the Speed Indicator Devices (SIDs) in 2005. Following a discussion it was agreed that the item be discussed at the next meeting of the Chepping Wye Valley Forum. (b) Questions

(i) David Jarman, Parish Councillor for Ward asks:

“For the Local Area Meeting on Thurs 24th Jan I would like to put on the Agenda a matter concerning our local villagers in Great Kingshill, namely the indiscriminate parking of cars along the footpath adjacent to the village hall. The parked cars reduce the width of the footpath leading from the rear car park to the entrance causing visitors to often have to walk in the centre of the road, which is particularly concerning when mothers have push chairs and the elderly in wheel chairs. One solution would be to re-instate the yellow lines along the kerbside which I understand used to be there some years ago. The Village Hall is adjacent to New Road junction on the busy A4128 and imagine the scenario of a car entering New Road at speed to be confronted with pedestrians walking in the road pushing a wheel chair. It is an accident just waiting to happen.”

Mr Jarman noted that new parking arrangements were being introduced to coincide with the introduction of the SPA in Wycombe. John Charlton explained that six months after the introduction of the SPA requests for new weight restrictions will be reviewed. Members were advised that the SPA would not be in operation until 1 September 2008. This was noted. Darren Humphries from Thames Valley Police explained that if the pavement is fully blocked it is possible to penalise for obstruction. The pavements must be accessible to parents using double buggies and wheelchair users.

6 ITEMS RAISED AT LAST MEETING

Minerals and Waste Local Development Framework

Marcus Rogers, Planning and Development Services Manager reported that there will be a public consultation lasting eight weeks between 29 February and 25 April. Prior to the public consultation briefing sessions will be held at the following venues commencing at 6.30pm to which the public are invited:

• 14 February Civic Centre • 19 February Chiltern District Council • 20 February Wycombe District Council • 21 February South Bucks District Council

The Chairman thanked Marcus Rogers for attending the meeting and for the information he provided.

Special Parking Area

The Chairman welcomed John Charlton, Project Manager of the Wycombe SPA to the meeting. Members were advised that the main changes in Part 6 of the Traffic Management Act related to double parking, parking across dropped curves and that a differential charge was levied for parking on double yellow lines, £70 if payment was made within 14 days and £35 if payment is made within 7 days. Objections about double parking should be made to the DfT.

A consultation has taken place during which the proposals for the Special Parking Area were outlined and five roadshows have be en arranged attended by 140 people. There have been 129 responses to the questionnaires.

During the presentation members were advised that the Traffic Regulation Orders were being reviewed, and that the signing and the lining must be correct in order for the regulations to be enforced. It was noted that the total bill for signing in phase 1 was more than £40k. Members were advised that the police issue penalty charges for blocking dropped curves.

A member welcomed the introduction of the SPA. Members were advised that notices announcing the implementation of the SPA are displayed six weeks beforehand. In response to a question members were advised that details of the publicity campaign were currently being finalised by WDC. The revenue from the fines will be used to pay for parking attendants and back office staff and the surplus will be used to fund new transport schemes in Wycombe.

7 SWAN RIDER TRANSPORT SERVICES

Trevor Shurmer, Senior Transport Officer explained that Swanrider operated a variety of vehicles. They were used by BCC for children with Special Educational Needs, those with learning disabilities, Older People and Adult Learning. During the day the vehicles were used for Home to School Transport, and for school swimming lessons.

In future cooperation with Community Transport Schemes will be explored. The possibility of using the services during off peak hours, weekends, evenings, and school holidays is being explored. Adverts will be placed in School Bulletins. The possibility of working with the GC2C areas to provide community services will be explored. The Swanrider office is at Griffin Lane in Aylesbury and the contact numbers are 01296 383746 and 01296 383317.

The hire charges at peak times and during the evenings for wheelchair access is £44 and for standard use is £32. Hire during off peak hours with wheelchair access is £32 and for standard use is £22. The hire charges for the Swanrider vehicles are approximately 2/3 the cost of a commercial operator. In response to a question members were advised that there is flexibility to work with youth groups although the service is not currently self-financing.

8 SIMPLY WALK PROGRAMME

Fiona Broadbent, Healthy Walks Coordinator gave a presentation on Healthy Walks which have been running since 2002. Currently there are 37 walks in existence and the target is for at least one walk in each GC2C area.

Members were advised that Lane End is the most successful of all the walks and approximately 40 people walk twice each week. The walks are classified into easy, moderate and advanced categories. The route at Lane End is an advanced walk and the walk in Stokenchurch is classified as easy. The walk on the Rye is one hour long and is also classified as easy. Dogs are permitted if they are well behaved and are on a short lead at the front of the group or at the back if no one objects.

The aim of the scheme is to increase the amount of physical activity amongst sedentary people. Walking is an easy, free and simple way of increasing physical activity. The aim is not just to target people who are already walking but to motivate new members into joining the group and start walking. The reasons for promoting Healthy Walks is that ¾ of us do not participate in enough activity for the benefit of our health. It was noted that most of the participants in the scheme are retired.

Fiona Broadbent explained that walking can be a means of tackling isolation within communities. The key tasks are to work with local communities, recruit and train volunteers from within them to become walk leaders. Work is taking place with the health service providers and training is being provided for support volunteers who will target individuals with mental health problems. New walks are being developed in areas of identified need.

This provides a reason to invest in the community and enables us to make use of the local area. Healthy Walks will be promoted via Parish websites and newsletters. The contact details are as follows: 01494 475367 and [email protected]

9 TRAFFIC CALMING PORTFOLIO

The Chairman welcomed Tony Blackmore, Team Leader Strategic Traffic Management to the meeting. Members were advised that one of the conclusions of the Traffic Calming Portfolio for 2007 was that there continues to be a high demand for the installation of traffic calming measures, there is an increasing awareness of some of the disadvantages to traffic calming, in particular horizontal (chicanes and build outs) and vertical features (humps and bumps). There has been a great deal of publicity recently, about humps, bumps and vertical deflections and their stability. The aim is to increase understanding of the different tools available by incorporating traffic calming on the highway to ensure a safer environment, achieve appropriate speeds and is appropriate for the circumstances.

10 THE I-VAN

Frances Northrop from Buckinghamshire Community Action addressed the meeting about the i-van.

The service will be managed from one central point and funding has been provided through the National Lottery for three years although it is hoped that this will be extended. The van is fully equipped and specialist project/session workers in attendance. Examples of visits have been to Chiltern Heights, Chesham Moor Park and Amersham Skate Park. There has been positive feedback from the young people in response to the introduction of the i-van.

There is a Service Level Agreement with Chiltern District Council and Aylesbury Vale District but not currently with Wycombe District Council. The aim is that the mobile can be used for the benefit of any of the community.

11 AREA FORUMS - ACTION NOTES

The Action Notes of the Princes Risborough Area Forum were received and those from the Chepping Wye Valley Area Forum were tabled at the meeting.

12 WHAT MATTERS TO BUCKINGHAMSHIRE?

A report from the Bucks Strategic Partnership was presented to the meeting.

13 LOCAL COMMITTEE SCHEMES

Members were advised that the deadline for the receipt of bids for the Local Committee scheme is 30 January 2008. A list of all the schemes for which bids have been received was listed in the report. In response to a question members were advised that carriageway surfacing was not the purpose of the Local Committee Scheme.

14 NEWSLETTER

The Local Committee received the January 2008 Newsletter. A member reported that the launch of Orange Route 39 had been welcomed by local residents.

15 LOCAL DELIVERY PLAN

The Local Delivery Plan was submitted for review. A member noted that the road in Lane, Little Marlow has not been inspected since the work was completed.

Peter Cartwright noted that the members responsible for item 2942 were himself and David Shakespeare and not Julia Wassell and Chaudhary Ditta. It was noted that a minibus was parked on the footpath and that the operator licence was revoked in 2006 and that the owner was still operating a service. Members were advised that a request can be submitted for a minibus to be removed from the footway. Alternatively, a reference can be made to the police.

16 DATE OF NEXT MEETING

30 April 2008 at Princes Risborough School.

CHAIRMAN Minute Item 5

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