APPENDIX 1
BARROW HIGHWAYS ADVISORY SUB-GROUP
Minutes of a Meeting of the Barrow Highways Advisory Sub-Group held on Wednesday, 5 April 2017 at 10.15 am at Conference Room, Nan Tait Centre, Barrow-in-Furness, LA14 1LG
PRESENT:
Mr W McEwan (Chair)
Mr D Barlow Mr KR Hamilton Mr B Doughty Mr MH Worth Mr D Gawne
Also in Attendance:-
Mrs L Harker - Senior Democratic Services Officer Mr S Solsby - Assistant Director - Regeneration (Barrow Borough Council) Mr K Tetchner - Highways Network Manager Mrs V Upton - Traffic Management Team Leader
Mr B Sweeney, Barrow Borough Councillor attended as an observer.
Jonathan Reade representing Highways England attended for agenda item no 3 – Update from Highways England (minute no 59 refers).
Nick Walls representing United Utilities attended for agenda item no 5 – Update from United Utilities (minute no 61 refers).
57 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were received from Mr D Brook, Mr J Murphy and Mr D Roberts.
58 MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting of the Sub-Group held on 8 February 2017 were confirmed as circulated. 59 UPDATE FROM HIGHWAYS ENGLAND
The Sub-Group received an update from Jonathan Reade, Asset Manager, Highways England. He informed members that Keir was no longer the maintaining agent in Cumbria and this was now Highways England. Members noted that a number of key colleagues from Keir had transferred to Highways England and that there would be a significant change in the delivery of services in the future.
The Sub-Group were informed that a Route Strategy Refresh would be undertaken following a call for evidence during the summer where high level issues had been identified in the Barrow district. Members noted that specific scheme had not been identified but there was an acknowledgement that the A590-M6 required investigation. It was explained that over the next 12 months studies would be undertaken followed by a series of public consultations prior to the submission of appropriate bids.
During the course of discussion members highlighted the anticipated economic growth in the area and the pressures this would have on the existing infrastructure. The Sub-Group were informed that 38 schemes had already been identified with a view to requiring support for the growth and it was noted that the information had also been used as evidence to inform Transport for the North. It was explained that consultants had been commissioned to identify business cases for all the schemes identified which would be submitted to the Route Strategy Refresh.
The local Member for Dalton North expressed his appreciation for the work undertaken on the Lindal Dip. He highlighted that sections of street lighting along the A590 either side of the Dip were burning during the day and Highways England agreed to investigate this and report back.
The local Member also raised concerns regarding safety issues at road junctions near Dalton Safari Zoo on the A590 and was informed that an annual review of safety network was undertaken.
A discussion took place regarding congestion around the Crooklands junction and Askam roundabout. It was suggested that the possibility of two lanes into Barrow be investigated in the future.
The Sub-Group discussed the possibility of trunking part of the A595 and were informed that this would be taken into account through the Route Strategy Refresh.
Members were informed of an engagement event which was taking place in Manchester and members were encouraged to forward further details of existing problems in the Barrow district to Highways England.
It was emphasised that customer engagement was paramount and future invites to the Barrow Highways Advisory Sub-Group would be welcomed. The Chair, on behalf of the Local Committee, thanked Jonathan Reade and his Team for the work which had been undertaken in the Barrow district, particularly with regards to the Lindal dip, and presented him with a plaque as a sign of their appreciation.
60 UPDATE FROM STAGECOACH
There was no representation from Stagecoach at meeting.
The local Member for Walney North expressed his disappointment and concern at the lack of any further information from Stagecoach with regards to the proposed relocation of the bus stop at Walney School. The highway officers agreed to investigate the matter further.
61 UPDATE FROM UNITED UTILITIES
The Sub-Group received a positive update from United Utilities.
Members were informed that work was progressing well with regards to the back streets and that further CCTV analysis had been undertaken. It was confirmed that a Business Case had been agreed for future works on the back streets and a decision regarding funding would be made in the near future.
The Sub-Group were given an update on the Mill Lane Pumping Station and it was noted that a survey was being undertaken in order to gain a whole holistic view. It was anticipated that a full analysis was expected by the end of October 2017 but members were made aware that the date could be delayed.
During the course of discussion attention was drawn to the replacement of road markings following completion of works. A discussion took place regarding responsibility for replacement lines and it was agreed the Highways Network Manager would investigate this further.
The Chair, on behalf of the Local Committee, thanked Nick Walls and his Team for the work which had been undertaken in the Barrow district and presented him with a plaque as a sign of their appreciation.
62 ADVISORY DISABLED PERSON'S PARKING BAY APPLICATIONS
The Sub-Group received a report from the Corporate Director – Economy and Highways which advised members on the status of the Advisory Disabled Person’s Parking Bay applications and the number of applications received since the report to Highways Advisory Sub Group on 25 August 2016. Members were informed that the Annual Package of Measures (APM) budget for 2017/18 included an allocation for the provision of Advisory Disabled Person’s Parking Bays of £5,000. It was noted that part of this allocation was needed to offset the staff time in delivering the disabled parking bays through assessment and works order which was currently set at 15% for a scheme of this size.
During the course of discussion it was agreed that the two proposed advisory disabled parking bays located outside 129 and 131 Devon Street should be marked as a double space rather than two single spaces.
RECOMMENDED, that
(1) the applications received for Advisory Disabled Person’s Parking Bays between 25 August 2016 and 1 March 2017 (referred to at appendix 1 of the report which are being recommended for approval) be noted;
(2) the installation of Advisory Disabled Person’s Parking Bays (referred to at appendix 1 of the report) be approved.
63 OPTIONS FOR NUISANCE PARKING AT CROOKLANDS, DALTON-IN- FURNESS
The Sub-Group received a report from the Corporate Director – Economy and Highways which referred to an area of old A590 road at Crooklands Dalton-in- Furness which linked from Ulverston Road through to the A590. Members were informed that complaints had been received regarding obstructive parking which could affect access to the public right of way and for the adjacent landowner. It was noted that the parking was also unsightly and encouraged abandoned vehicles.
The report set out options for measures to alleviate the parking problems for future allocation and funding from the 2017/2018 budget as appropriate.
Members held a detailed discussion regarding the proposals and it was agreed to defer the matter until after the County Council elections in May 2017, when a site visit would take place with highway officers, local members and parish councillors as appropriate.
RECOMMENDED, that the item be deferred until after the County Council elections in May 2017.
64 BARROW WORKS PROGRAMME 2016/17
The Sub-Group welcomed the Barrow Works Programme for 2016/17. The local Member for Walney North thanked the Highways Network Manager and his Team for the works undertaken on North Road.
Members attention was drawn to a number of IRP Schemes which were scheduled in the near future and the Highways Network Manager highlighted the possible disruption on the highway network during the resurfacing. It was agreed that all members would be updated as necessary.
65 ANY OTHER BUSINESS
(1) A discussion took place regarding the new HIMS system and it was agreed that a demonstration would take place at a future meeting of the Sub-Group.
(2) A concern was raised regarding the number of obsolete lighting columns still in situ on the highway following the connection of the new LED street lights. A further concern was raised regarding a number of columns on Abbey Road which had been removed but not replaced. The Highways Network Manager agreed to investigate the matters further.
(3) A concern was raised regarding a number of kerb stones on Baden Powell and the Highways Network Manager agreed to investigate this further.
(4) The local Member for Dalton North drew attention to an unsightly fence on the gateway into Dalton from Barrow and asked that this be considered at a future date.
(5) A concern was raised regarding the signage at the railway crossing at Askam and the Highways Network Manager agreed to investigate this further.
The Chair, on behalf of all the Local Committee, conveyed members’ thanks and appreciation to all officers for their commitment and support during the past four years.
66 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
To note that the next meeting of the Sub-Group will be held on Friday 16 June 2017 at 10.15 am at the Nan Tait Centre, Barrow-in-Furness.
The meeting ended at 12.00 pm