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

The Committee received a PowerPoint presentation by the Cabinet Member (Highways and Transportation) who commented on: the achievement or areas for improvement in the past year in his programme area, what needed to be addressed in the coming year and indicated issues in which he may wish to involve Scrutiny. Copies of the presentation were made available at the meeting and a copy has been entered in the Committee minute book.

The Cabinet Member (Highways and Transportation) gave a brief overview of the Highways and Transportation Service; achievements in 2007/08; funding and work both underway and for the future. 

During the presentation and subsequent debate the following principal points or comments were noted:

• Key indicators showed an improvement to the condition of principal and non-principal roads.  Cycling had also increased.  The Cabinet Member expressed disappointment that the number of ‘killed and seriously injured traffic casualties’ had risen against last year.  He also commented that a fine balance was needed between expenditure on both principal and non-principal roads, which ensured continued government support, and expenditure on  unclassified roads which also required considerable maintenance.  Current funding was limited to maintain the 2000 miles of road in the County and this made it difficult to meet the demands for adequate maintenance on un-classified roads.
• While the Local Transport Plan provided the bulk of the funding other funding streams were pursued whenever opportunities arose.
• Responding to questions on the working relationship with the Highways Agency and possible detrunking of the A49 and A645, the Cabinet Member responded that he was currently seeking a meeting with the new Regional Director of the Highways Agency to discuss issues.  The Agency had offered to detrunk the A465 but the conditions were currently not acceptable to the Council and the situation had to be looked at in conjunction with the Welsh Assembly. Currently the Agency were not offering to detrunk the A49.  The Agency’s maintenance priorities were still focused on motorways and major accident black spots in the region.
• Questioned on whether the increase in cycling could be attributed to work/school trips the Committee were informed that fixed ‘counting points’ were used. While they provided reliable data it was not possible to determine the destination of the cycle trip.  Further work was underway with Children’s Services to try to ascertain any increase in cycling to school.
• The Cabinet Member emphasised that every casualty or death was one too many and in liaison with the police every incident was investigated.  He undertook to provide a further break down of the accident statistics.
• The Cabinet Member commented that major consultation would be undertaken on the Hereford Outer Distributor Road proposal .  The results of a submission to the West Midlands Regional Assembly for their support would be known in late summer.  This subject would no doubt be debated in future meetings.  A view was expressed that local Members and Parish Councils should be kept informed and closely involved.
• The replacement of Colwall Railway Bridge by Network Rail was expected to start in spring of next year.  The Councils contribution towards costs would not be known until a detailed design had been agreed.
• The Rotherwas Access Road was expected to be open in the next 2 to 3 weeks. The date of the official opening by AWM had yet to be announced.
• Responding to a question concerning progress with the Leominster Relief Road the Cabinet Member reported that a report from Leominster Town Council had just been received and was being appraised officers.
• Questioned on the justification for splitting Transportation and Highways the Cabinet Member responded that transportation encompassed the strategic element and, combined with planning, could contribute to the many planning policy objectives.  Highways dealt with the management, maintenance and operation of the road network.

The Chairman thanked the Cabinet Member (Highways and Transportation) for his presentation and comments on his programme area.