Agenda item

The Board received an update from the Councillor Tony Deane from the last meeting of the Community Area Transport Group (CATG) meeting which had been held on 19 July 2011. Two points highlighted were:

1.      Fingerposts

Costings had been received from a Council contractor to replace fingerposts. The Area Board had previously decided that it would allocate some funds to each parish to have one fingerpost sign replaced per year. Please contact the Community Area Manager for more information.

2.      Speed Indicator Devices (SIDs)

The Board had received approval of Cabinet member Cllr Dick Tonge that if the Board was to purchase its own SID it could be incorporated in to the deployment programme for the three community areas within the South West.

Councillor Deane added that the CATG had been fortunate with the officers servicing the group as the projects chosen would all be moving forward. If parishes had ideas for small road traffic schemes then they were urged to raise an issue on the online system.

A resident of Sutton Manderville explained that in Sutton Road there was a traffic problem where there was a narrow passing place near the Compasses; there was little or no room for manoeuvre which had resulted in a serious accident on Monday evening. Residents have had great difficulty coming out of their driveways due to the speed of the traffic and it was felt that something needed to be done to alert drivers to horses and children in the vicinity. After trying various avenues for assistance to find a way to improve the situation, an issued had been logged, the situation would be looked into.

The Chairman confirmed that this issue was now on the list which would be looked at by the CATG and Councillor Deane added that Highways officers would be asked to look at the site.

Digger Booth, East Knoyle Parish Councillor commented that there was a problem with HGV vehicles using satellite navigation systems (SatNav) which brough them off the A350 down through Bilton around two extremely sharp bends, then back on to the A350. A traffic survey was underway to provide evidence of this. The parish had spoken to SatNav companies to ask that they make changes to the data, but the problem still exists.

Councillor Tonge informed the Board that there were two main forms of SatNav’s the TomTom type for cars and another for HGV’s. Until Central Government say that HGV’s must have the type specifically designed for them, they will use the car version which includes the smaller routes. He advised Digger to lobby the local MP as this was a national problem.

Councillor Deane added that the Board would be open to receiving applications for grants to fund multi language signs, warning HGV drivers not to use certain roads. He agreed to speak to the area Highway Engineer - David Button, to discuss the options, but also urged Digger to write to the local MP to explain the problem.

Action: Cllr Tony Deane

Tony Phillips, who had attended the last CATG meeting added that it had been an excellent meeting where people had the opportunity to speak to 3 Transport Officers.

The C and unclassified Road Review would start in April 2012. Officers would first look at the roads to see where accidents had occurred, they would then produce a list of recommendations which would be sent to parish and town councils for comments.