The Cabinet Member (Highways and Transportation) will comment on achievements or areas for improvement in the past year in his programme area as it relates to this Committee, what will need to be addressed in the coming year and indicate issues he may wish to involve Scrutiny in in the future.

The Chairman invited Councillor DB Wilcox, Cabinet Member (Highways and Transportation) to comment on: achievements or areas for improvement in the past year in his programme area as it related to this Committee; what will need to be addressed in the coming year and indicate issues he may wish to involve scrutiny in in the future.

The Cabinet Member (Highways and Transportation) started by thanking Mr McKay for his question (see minute 5) concerning the Definitive Map.  He responded that there were issues over the map, however, while progress was being made, work could only be undertaken within the available resources.  He undertook to respond to Mr McKay following consultation with officers.

A copy of the Cabinet Members presentation has been placed wit the agenda papers in the Committee Minute book.

Following the presentation the following principal points were noted:

• Responding to comments regarding the limited funding for  speed indicator devices, which seemed to be showing good results in reducing speeds, the Cabinet Member reported that every accident involving personal injury was investigated and consideration was given to whether highway improvement was needed.  He also reported that he would be meeting with the Regional Director of the Environment Agency to talk about safety issues specifically on the A49.
• While noting the overspend on winter maintenance the Committee acknowledged that the previous investment in salt barns and the foresight in purchasing adequate levels of salt had paid off.
• The Committee appreciated the pressures brought to bear on Network Rail concerning the replacement of Colwall Bridge. Responding to a question on the cost and time it would have taken to provide a bridge capable of two-way traffic the Cabinet Member (Highways and Transportation) reminded the Committee that Network Rail, the owners of the bridge, hadn’t planned on replacing the bridge until 2011/2012.  Provision of two way traffic would have necessitated a wider bridge and therefore additional land would have needed to be acquired and planning permission sought, which would have added considerably to the cost and time.
• Questioned on the cost of Rotherwas Relief road the Cabinet Member responded that subject to closing the accounts, the current figure stood at £12.83m. This was compared to an initial whole scheme estimate of £12.01m.  Responding to a question concerning undertaking further archaeological investigations in the Rotherwas area the Director of Environment and Culture confirmed that investigations had been undertaken at the Magazine site.
• Asked about the cost of cycle training the Cabinet Member (H&T) responded that the precise cost per individual was unknown, but officers undertook to provide further information.
• Noting the impending access improvement works at the Hereford railway station, and associated costs, the Committee questioned the ‘Best Value’ of undertaking the works now in view of the long term intentions of the ESG to provide a transport hub at that location.  The Cabinet Member (H&T) reported that long standing negotiations with the station owners had now come to fruition.  The ESG proposals for the area were likely to be some years away. 
• Questioned further on rail travel a member suggested that the Wooferton and Pontrilas stations be reinstated.  The Cabinet Member reported a recent meeting with the Chamber of Commerce when it was agreed that stations at Pontrilas and Morton–on-Lugg would be beneficial for freight, however, he severely doubted whether this would come about in the foreseeable future.
• Questioned how savings were to be made through the Services Delivery Partnership it was reported that through transferring some services to Amey savings would occur by reducing the amount of dual working.  It was noted that no compulsory redundancies were envisaged and savings would also be made through not transferring current staff vacancies.
• From personal experience a member questioned the validity of the statistics quoted for the condition of unclassified roads.  In response the Interim Transport Manager outlined the method of surveying road condition.  Questioned whether improvements were planed to the Heywood to Callow road the Cabinet Member responded that no major improvements for this road were included in this years programme.
• A suggestion was made that when income from Section 106 funding resumed officers should liaise closely with the local ward member(s) to ascertain any potential schemes that could benefit the local area concerned.
• Questioned on progress with the Sustrans Connects2 cycleway route to Rotherwas, the Committee were informed that officers were working with Sustrans on more detailed aspects of the scheme.  The scheme will be subject to a planning application.  Initial funding for the scheme was supported through the capital programme with funding from Sustrans being released as the scheme progressed.
• The Cabinet Member (Environment & Transportation) reported that a meeting had been arranged with the Road Safety Partnership to discuss their intended work programme for the County.

The Chairman thanked Councillor DB Wilcox, Cabinet Member (Highways and Transportation) for his presentation and for answering questions raised.

RESOLVED: That the presentation be noted and following consultation with officers the Cabinet Member (Highways and Transportation) respond to the question raised by Mr McKay.