To receive a presentation by the Cabinet Member for Highways and Transportation reviewing past performance, identifying key issues and commenting on future plans in relation to the Highways and Transportation portfolio.

The Chairman invited Councillor DB Wilcox, (Cabinet Member - Highways and Transportation) to comment upon past performance; identify key issues and comment on future plans in relation to the Highways and Transportation portfolio.

The Cabinet Member (Highways and Transportation) provided an overview of the Highways and Transportation Services and highlighted progress in: Road Safety; Sustainable Transport; Winter Maintenance; Sustainable Travel; Supporting public & Community Transport; and future work on the Local Transport Plan 3 Review; Parking Strategy Review; the Hereford Relief Road; investment in maintenance; Edgar Street Grid – Yazor Brook Flood Alleviation; Widemarsh Street improvements, and Road Safety Improvements.

A full copy of the Cabinet Member presentation has been placed with the agenda papers in the Committee Minute book.

Arising from the presentation and questioning the following principal points were noted:

• It was noted that the Overview and Scrutiny Committee had reviewed the Council’s and its partner’s response to the winter weather which had included details of how the Highway Service had responded.  Due to the additional costs involved in keeping the roads open (£936k) and subsequent increased maintenance (£3.5m in 2009/10) a number of planned schemes had been rescheduled.  Costs would be involved in replenishing the salt barns and repaying the overspend. There were no plans to increase the normal salt/grit stock levels.
• In response to Members criticism of the rail companies for the lack of adequate accommodation on local trains, especially the overcrowding at peak times, and the lack of facilities at stations, particularly in accordance with the Disability Discrimination Act the Cabinet Member informed the Committee that meetings were planed with the companies to again raise these issues. He undertook to report to Committee in due course.  Depending on the outcome of the talks the Committee may consider inviting the companies to come before them to publically explain their position in these and other matters.
• While thankfully the number of killed and seriously injured (KSI) on county roads was falling (105) the Cabinet Member reported that any KSI were too many.  Every incident was inspected and analysed.  From profiling the highest number of incidents occurred to 16- 25 year olds and may relate to behaviour rather than road conditions.  The Committee requested that the local member(s) be informed as soon as possible of any KSI in their ward.
• As the principal residential, business and retail centre for the County, access to the City was essential and the Committee requested information on the key points being used to lever increased funding from government to improve transport access to the City.
• The Committee were informed that a number of sustainable travel events had been arranged and details would be circulated.
• Since the report to the 26 March 2010 Committee a number of concerns had been raised by the public regarding the Connect 3 Greenway route which would be addressed.  A planning application was expected to be submitted in the autumn with construction due in 2011/13.
• 5 pairs of Speed Indicator Devices (SIDs) were available for deployment through the Road Safety Team.  The Cabinet Member urged parish councils to contact the team concerning the potential deployment of any SID as permissions needed to be obtained.  The Cabinet Member reported that he would be discussing speed cameras and road safety issues with the Road Safety Partnership.
• On questioning how the National Review of Speed Limits was progressing and whether Councillors would be involved with the review the Committee accepted that it would be informed of progress by briefing note.
• The Cabinet Member urged members to keep themselves informed concerning the review underway of the Local Transport Plan (LTP3) and to respond to consultation.
• The Committee noted that a Pay-on-Exit pilot scheme would be undertaken at the Maylord Orchard car park and the Cabinet Member outlined how it would operate.  Responding to whether the Pay-on Exit scheme would release resources for deployment elsewhere the Cabinet Member responded that it may necessitate increasing resources to staff the ticket validation desk and rectify any exit barrier malfunction.  Changes would also occur to the car park closing times.
• Questions were asked regarding the recent closure by the owners of the Maylord Orchard car park of the pedestrian exits.  The Head of Planning and Transportation reported that the necessary planning application to change the access arrangements had been approved as no adverse comment had been received from either the City Council or the ward member.
• Along side the ESG work a Parking Needs Analysis was being completed and would inform the review of the County Parking Strategy.
• Arising out of the public consultation on the Core Strategy, indications were that four fifths of the respondents supported a relief road for Hereford, however, opinion on whether it should be to the east or west was equally divided.  A comment was made that the Council should show its commitment to the relief road by allocating finance to a reserve fund to support initial work.
• Questioned about progress of the Park and Ride schemes the Cabinet Member reported that discussions had been held with ward members concerning a proposed short term site (for 2 or 3 years) north of the Leisure Centre, Holmer Road, Hereford pending a longer term solution associated with the Hereford Relief Road.  Members questioned the feasibility of a small site and criticised its location, as in accessing it traffic would already have joined the queue in Holmer Road.  Comment was also made that in view of the difficulty in finding a site to the north then a site to the south, e.g. at Redhill, should be progressed.

The Chairman thanked the Cabinet Member Highways and Transportation for his presentation and for answering the many questions.

RESOLVED: That

1. the Cabinet Member Highways and Transportation is requested to take up in the strongest terms the matters concerning the lack of local train capacity and station facilities with the train companies and report to the November Committee meeting following which the Committee may wish to consider inviting the train companies to come before them to explain their position in these and other matters;

2. local Member(s) be informed when any serious incident or accident occur on roads in their ward;

3. Members be informed by briefing note of the key points being used to lever increased funding from government to improve transport access to the City by the county population;

4. information concerning the Sustainable travel events be circulated to all members;

5. that current progress concerning the Review of Speed Limits be communicated to Members by briefing note; and

6. that current progress concerning the bridge and road works being undertaken on the A438 (nr Rhydspence) be communicated to members by Briefing note.

At this point the Committee adjourned for 5 minutes and resumed at 11.25am