Agenda item

Cllr Dick Tonge, Cabinet member for Highways and Transport was introduced by the Chairman and asked to provide an update on his area of responsibility.

Details were provided on the areas covered within his wide-ranging portfolio which included all highways issues, road repairs, flooding, car parking, speeding issues, markets, cemeteries and public toilets.

With specific reference to the over-height vehicle consultation Cllr Tonge confirmed that this was undertaken via delegated decision which commenced on 17 February and was initially expected to close on 5 April.  However the consultation period had subsequently been extended to ensure that Area Boards had an opportunity to provide comment and to ensure that accurate information was considered.  This included that a further traffic count was undertaken on the A342 Nursteed Road as the initial traffic count had failed due to a mechanical fault with the counter.

The consultation also included a report by the consultant, Mouchel, dated November 2010 and an internally prepared report dated September 2011.  A further report prepared by Mouchel in relation to the Chocolate Poodle bridge carriageway lowering dated 3 November 2010 was also considered.

The information provided within the initial Mouchel report highlighted two key areas of concern. This included the calculation of over-height vehicle usage figures which had been based on national statistics and had not been taken from Great Cheverell itself and indicated an average usage of 51 high-sided vehicles per day. 

In addition the report proposed that a more detailed review of the geometry and two way traffic flow should be carried out in relation to the bridge at ‘The Clock’. 

As a result an internal report had been prepared.  This report suggested that the actual number of vehicles was likely to be significantly lower than indicated.  A survey was then carried out using laser height measuring equipment that showed that only 5 overheight vehicles a day used the diversion route through Great Cheverell.

Upon further investigation regards to ‘The Clock’, no personal collisions involving HGVs had been recorded within the last 10 years in relation to the bridge.  Visibility was considered good in both directions and there was sufficient signage in place to warn of the narrowing road.

The final decision was published on 20 August as a result of the consultation and took into consideration an additional traffic count which compared usage of the A342 in June 2010 (of the 7217 vehicles counted, 326 were HGVs) and again in June 2012 (of the 7307 vehicles counted, 308 were HGVs).  This demonstrated that the advisory diversion signs in place had not increased the number of HGVs using this route.

A further report from Mouchel related to the lowering of the carriageway under the bridge at Chocolate Poodle as an alternative to the diversion signs and was estimated to cost in the region of £1m.  It was therefore agreed that as the cost would require at least 50% of the discretionary budget available the works in the current economic climate would not be justifiable and would deviate funds away from other road safety improvements across the County.

Upon opening up debate to the floor, concern was raised that not all the questions received during the consultation process had been answered within the report.  Clarification was provided that the consultation was in relation to over-height vehicles only and that all comments received in relation to this had been considered before the final decision had been made. 

Questions in relation to pedestrian safety and the impact that large vehicles were having on the verges through Rushall had been received during the consultation process.  Although these were not relevant to the over-height consultation Cllr Tonge confirmed that these issues should be raised through the Area Board’s Community Area Transport Group (CATG).  The Head of Local Highways and Streetscene would be requested to attend the next meeting of the CATG to address the issues.

Comment was also made in relation to the Clock Bridge near Devizes with concern raised that 12 wheeled vehicles had been registered travelling through the A342 onto the A345.  The Highways Engineer had been contacted and had requested that details of the vehicles in question be provided if possible to allow him to investigate further the rationale for using this route and to discourage this from happening further. 

It was felt that the sign on the splitter island at the town end of Nursteed Road could also be changed to ensure that only high sided vehicles were directed along the A342.  As a result this may help to alleviate the usage by 12 wheeled vehicles.

In noting the points raised the Board were also asked to take into consideration that some of the over-height vehicles using these routes may be linked to businesses located within the local area itself. 

Further questions received related to commuter parking in residential areas of The Knapp in Great Bedwyn and concern that the CATG had proposed that the issue be removed from the Issues List (details of which can be found under Item 11 of the agenda).

Although this was to be covered under Item 11 Cllr Stuart Wheeler confirmed that the CATG has proposed the issue be closed temporarily whilst Highways carried out works.  However, because of concerns raised by the Knapp Residents Association it was agreed that the issue would remain on the system whilst the outcome of works underway was known.

Decision

That the Community Area Transport Group consider a formal assessment of the options for improving safety in Rushall;

That the data from the recent traffic survey on the A342 in April 2012 be made available to the Area Board and other interested parties;

That the ambiguous sign on the splitter island at the town end of Nursteed Road be changed to ensure that only high sided vehicles are directed along the A342; and

That Mr Hampton (Head of Local Highways and Streetscene) be invited to attend the next CATG meeting to address maintenance issues on the verges in Rushall.