Agenda item

To receive an update from the Community Area Manager on local issues.

a)     Metrocount results – A360, Tilshead

b)     Metrocount results – Netheravon Road

c)      Metrocount results - Packway – Porton Rd

d)     Works at Broken Cross Bridge, Bourne Valley (Chairman to update)

e)     Bulford to Amesbury footpath (Chairman to update)

Vicky Cobbold, Amesbury Community Area Manager, began this item on the Agenda by introducing the results of Metrocounts in the area. The criteria are set out below:

In a 30mph speed limit the following criteria will be applied;

30 to 34.9mph 85^th percentile = No Further Action (NFA)

35 to 38.9 mph 85^th percentile = eligible for Community Speed Watch

39 to 42 mph 85^th percentile = eligible for the Speed Indicator Device (SID) programme

(the 85^th percentile is the speed at which 85% of the traffic is travelling at or below)

In a 40mph speed limit the following criteria will be applied;

40 to 45.9 mph 85^th percentile = No Further Action (NFA)

46 to 48.9 mph 85^th percentile = eligible for Community Speed Watch

49 to 53 mph 85^th percentile = eligible for the Speed Indicator Device (SID) programme

(the 85^th percentile is the speed at which 85% of the traffic is travelling at or below)

A360 High Street, Tilshead (30mph Speed Limit)

The survey was carried out between 21/09/2011and 29/09/2011. A total of 27741 vehicles were checked. The 85^th percentile was 35.8mph. This makes the site eligible for the Community Speedwatch programme.

A345 Netheravon Road(40mph Speed Limit)

The survey was carried out between 03/05/2011 and 12/05//2011. A total of 58430vehicles were checked. The 85^th percentile was 36.2mph. As a result no further action will be undertaken.

Metrocount results - Packway – Porton Rd (30 mph Speed Limit)

The survey was carried out between 03/05/2011and 12/05/2011. A total of 49750 vehicles were checked. The 85^th percentile was 35.8mph. As a result no further action will be undertaken. This makes the site eligible for the Community Speedwatch programme.

Questions were asked by Cllr Westmoreland regarding the use of the statistics if the roads experienced speeding but this was not sufficiently above the limit to justify further action. By way of response, Inspector Christian Lange stated that even where the Metrocount result imply no further action, the Police will conduct patrols in the areas of local concern.

Works at Broken Cross Bridge, Bourne Valley

The Chairman gave an update on the works at Broken Cross bridge.

·         The works are to be carried out by Network Rail as part of the reconstruction of their bridge. This is a Network Rail scheme;

·         Wiltshire Council Highways, the Police and Highways Agency will be negotiating with Network Rail regarding the construction works and the impact on the highway;

·         Inevitably the works will require the closure of the A338 at some period during the programme. Details regarding times and durations have yet to be agreed. Any closure will be kept to the shortest duration possible.

Officers added that they expect that the works are likely to be undertaken during Winter 2012/2013: possibly over the Christmas holidays.

In response to a question from a member of the audience it was confirmed that Wiltshire Council does put pressure on the Highways Agency to better identify, and sign appropriate diversion routes

Bulford to Amesbury footpath

The Chairman confirmed the following:

·         In the Northern part of the route both land owner and tenant have agreed to the proposal. SUSTRAN will be proceeding with a leasehold acquisition subject to planning.

·         In the Southern part of the route the land owner and tenant have not agreed to the proposal. Officers are liaising with the owner and tenant to try to reach a satisfactory outcome, and there are also a number of further issues to explore.

·         Bulford Parish Council’s Chairman is being updated on progress, as and when necessary by Alistair Millington of SUSTRANS Southwest, who hopes to be in a position to tell us more by early 2012.