Agenda item

Cllr Wright introduced the item, noting that the results being returned to this meeting were surprisingly low. Councillors questioned the arbitrary nature of the criteria which decided whether or not a site was appropriate for a Speed Indicator Device (SID) programme or a Community Speed Watch deployment.

Councillors and parish councillors highlighted the fact that there were plenty of volunteers, and structures to manage the volunteers were in place. However funding the Speed Watch programmes was a major problem for Parish Councils.

Cllr John Thomson, the Cabinet member in attendance reminded those present that it was possible for the Area Board to fund an additional camera to be rotated around sites in the community area. He reminded the Area Board that the Area Board could press for re-assessments of sites where local opinion differed from the police’s original evaluation.

Inspector Christian Lange, Wiltshire Police then highlighted the need for intelligence from local people to allow the police to deploy their patrols and resources most effectively.

The Community Area Manager then highlighted a number of recently submitted issues which had been successfully resolved:

Fargo Road, Larkhill

Speeding on Fargo Road had been identified via the Issues System as a matter of local concern. It was explained that the road itself is on Ministry of Defence (MoD) land. The local Speedwatch groups and the MoD police will co-operate in this area to raise awareness of speeding in the area and act as a deterrent.

Parking on Javelin Close, Amesbury

It is hoped that persistent parking problems will be dealt with by the local PC patrolling the area as a section of his normal beat.

Redundant Bus Shelter in Durrington, being moved to Amesbury

The moving of a redundant bus shelter from Durrington, to a site identified in Amesbury by the Issue System was underway. The bus shelter would be moved to Millgreen Road, with a grant application possible to support this.

Cllr Wright urged local people to submit issues which were in need of resolution.

Cllr Thomson emphasised that the key function of the issues system was to act as a method for resolution of local issues which cannot be resolved by the actions of either the Parish Council or the local member on their own.

Update on the work of the Community Area Transport Group (CATG)

Cllr Mike Hewitt updated the meeting on the ongoing work of the CATG.

He also invited Parish Councils to put forward volunteers to sit on the group as it currently had one vacancy. There were plenty of ongoing and suggested works to be considered and developed and other issues such as speeding to be addressed: work which would help address key concerns of local communities.

Cllr Hewitt asked the board to approve the finalised details of the scheme at Winterslow Road, Porton. At the meeting on 28 June, the Amesbury Area Board agreed to defer consideration of the scheme, to allow officers to design and produce costings for a revised scheme, following consultation with Idmiston Parish Council, and (if possible) the Community Area Transport Group. This process had now been concluded and the revised scheme had a total estimated cost of around £7000.

Decision

The Amesbury Area Board approved the release of up to £7,000 for the enhancement and improvement of pedestrian crossing facilities in Porton, according to the revised scheme produced in consultation with Idminston Parish Council.

Members were also asked to approve substantive funding for works at Church Street, Amesbury, following an initial grant of £1082.64 for the trial road narrowing scheme. According to the members’ original decision, officers had produced costings for a full scheme, which would require up to £10,000.

Decision

The Amesbury Area Board approved the release of up to £10,000 for the implementation of permanent road narrowing scheme at Church Street Amesbury.

Cllr Hewitt then asked the Area Board for permission to use up to £5000 from the delegated highways funds, as a contingency fund, should any of the above schemes require further funding.

Decision

The Amesbury Area Board approved the release of up to £5,000 as a contingency fund, should any of the above schemes require further funding, in the period between this meeting and the next.

(ACTION: Community Area Transport Group and Vicky Cobbold)