Agenda item

·       To ratify the funding recommendations from the Marlborough Local Highways and Footways Improvement Group (LHFIG) meeting on 25 January 2024, as set out in the attached report.

Further information on the LHFIG process can be found here.

The Vice-Chairman gave an overview of some of the road safety measures being promoted in Wiltshire. She emphasised the importance of safe walking and scootability training as well as the benefits of bikability training for children over the age of six. She reported that there was a target for 80 percent of children in Year 6 and above to take part in bikability training, which would be a total of 4,500 children across Wiltshire. She explained that 1,500 children had taken part in bikability training so far, so there was still progress to be made to reach the overall target. A number of phots of bikability training were shown to the Area Board and the Vice-Chairman observed that the children and trainers had great fun attending the sessions.

When asked about what more could be done to encourage schools to take up bikability training, the Vice-Chairman recommended that local councillors raised the issue with schools in their divisions.

In addition, the Vice-Chairman spoke about the benefits of newly qualified drivers completing the Pass Plus qualification to familiarise themselves with motorway driving and noted that a £70 subsidy was available to make the course more affordable for 17-25 year olds. She also observed that advanced driving courses were available for older people, where they could use virtual reality headsets.

In response to a query about whether there was a similar scheme for electric scooters, the Vice-Chairman reported that there was not. She clarified that e-scooters were only road legal if they were part of an approved trial and with the correct licence. However, she explained that there was a scheme for promoting electric bikes in larger urban areas, such as Salisbury.

The Vice-Chairman then introduced the recommendations from the latest meeting of the Local Highway and Footway Improvement Group (LHFIG), held on 25 January 2024. A brief overview of some of the key schemes was provided. It was noted that the substantive bid for traffic calming measures on the A4 at Manton had bene successful. It was also reported that the Marlborough Town Boundary Gateway project would help to slow down traffic approaching from Swindon.

On the proposal of the Vice-Chairman, seconded by the Chairman, it was resolved to make the:

Decision

1.    To note the 2023/24 projects in progress/near completion 

·       8-20-4 - A4 Manton calming (stage 2) – project, including a traffic island, subject to a successful substantive bid; in the interim Traffic Order to move the speed limit change further west, to be progressed.

·       8-22-9 – Marlborough Cardigan Road; restricted parking now in place; maintenance work required to complete.

·       8-21-8 - Aldbourne Virtual Paths, 20mph Speed Limit report being prepared.

·       8-19-10 Marlborough Frees Avenue traffic speed and pedestrian safety, 40mph TRO being progressed.

·       8- 23-4 – Kennet Place, Marlborough – request for residents’ parking; TRO in progress (NB public parking Mon- Sun, 8am to 6pm, 2 hour restriction to be actioned).

·       8-23-1 - Marlborough, 20mph review - Speed Limit Assessment report in progress; need to avoid unnecessary signage.

2.    To note the following as recently complete

·       Issue 5190/8-21-7 – London Road, Forrest Hill, Marlborough – safety works completed.

·       Issue 8-22-5 – Marlborough Cherry Orchard – handrails completed.

???3. To allocate priorities for 24/25

·       8-22-17 – Chilton Foliat, feasibility of HGV prohibition on the B4001 to be reviewed after West Berks decision not to proceed with HGV signage.

·       8-23-2 - Mildenhall, proposed footway, requires land transfer agreements between WC and Ramsbury Estates

·       8-23-3 – Chilton Foliat - bollard not appropriate; road markings to be progressed.

·       8-23-6 – The Parade/New Road, Marlborough – one way system; TOPO survey on hold while options considered.

·       8-23-15 - Ramsbury, Isles Road dropped kerb - site meetings required with interested parties.

·       8-23-16 - Marlborough, High Street removed of yellow line parking restriction.

·       8-24-03/8-24-04/8-24-05/8-24-06 - Marlborough town boundary gateway arrangements; Marlborough Town Council to fund.