Agenda item

This item is to:

a.          Receive any new petitions: to receive any new petitions.  The lead petitioner is entitled to briefly introduce their petition by providing a statement in writing, and a response to any petitions received will then be organised for a future meeting;

i.       Allendale Road (external e-petition)

ii.      Community campaign to amend the use of Military Road B6318 (e-petition)

As this e-petition spans more than one Local Area Council area, should it reach the required number of signatures, a report will be prepared for the Petitions Committee.

b.          Consider reports on petitions previously received:

i.           Wylam Right of way path closure; Stephenson Terrace to Country Park repair riverbank subsidence

c.     Receive any updates on petitions for which a report was previously considered: any updates will be verbally reported at the meeting.

This item was to:

a) Receive any new petitions:

i. Allendale Road (external e-petition)

Tara Wright introduced herself as the Lead Petitioner and a resident of Allendale Road.  She explained that she had started the petition as she lived on difficult section of the road where there was blind bend and vehicles regularly exceeded the speed limit.  She reported that she was often verbally abused when she tried to leave her driveway.  She had posted on a local social media page and had received many comments in support. 

Over 2,000 children were now attending the new school and it was extremely problematic trying to cross the road.  The paths were unsafe due to their narrow width, overgrown vegetation and the speeding vehicles.  She acknowledged that there were also problems on the other roads used as access to the school and suggested that something needed to be done.

Since the petition had opened there had been several accidents, one of which had required the services of the air ambulance.  There were also numerous reports of other incidents which had not been reported to the police involving the children stepping in front of cars due to the narrow width of the paths or due to the number of children in the area.  It was a major problem, particularly for residents which had ‘blind driveways’.

A new led ‘slow down’ sign had been erected near their house and had flashed for every car which they had monitored over a particular period.

She supported the proposals for 20 mph speed limit in Hexham but suggested that something needed to be put in place to forcibly slow vehicles down before a very serious accident occurred.

Mrs Wright added that her property had been described as unsafe following a visit from Highways earlier in the year.

Many of those signing the petition had left comments of support and copies had been supplied with the petition papers handed over.  Some of these had been made by persons who had been traumatised after witnessing accidents.

The problem with the paths were mainly at the bottom end which was slower with vehicles tending to speed at the top where vehicles needed to be forcibly slowed down.

She thanked the Committee for the opportunity to address them.

The Democratic Services Officer confirmed that a copy of the petition had been handed over.  It would be processed and passed to the relevant officers with a report prepared for a future meeting.

ii. Community campaign to amend the use of Military Road B6318 (e-petition)

It was reported that an e-petition had recently been opened.  As it related to areas within Castle Morpeth and Tynedale, a report would be requested for the Petitions Committee, if the threshold was exceeded.

b) Consider reports on petitions previously received:

i. Wylam Right of way path closure; Stephenson Terrace to Country Park repair riverbank subsidence

The Local Area Council was requested to acknowledge and agree the Council’s response to a petition which requested repairs to the riverbank, restoration of a path and reopening of a right of way.  (A copy of the report is enclosed with the signed minutes).

The Democratic Services Officer confirmed that the Lead Petitioner had been invited to attend the meeting but was not in attendance.

Greg Gavin, Head of Neighbourhood Services, provided a brief summary of the background of the right of way path closure.

He commented that the area had experienced ground instability issues for many years. As Highway Authority responsible for the management and maintenance of the rights of way network, repairs had been carried out until the approach had no longer been viable with the advancement of the erosion.  Due to safety concerns, it had been necessary to close the footpath in 2013 and divert the right of way.  

Officers had held discussions with Wylam Parish Council who owned the land, the adjacent business owner and ward member, and had attempted to assist in seeking quotes from suitably qualified contractors.  Unfortunately, no company has been prepared to provide a cost for undertaking site investigation and design works.  These had been estimated at £70,000 with a solution possibly exceeding £500,000 in addition to an ongoing maintenance liability.

He reported that the fencing and signage had been improved and inspections were being undertaken on a more regular basis.

It was noted that the regression of the riverside bank continued and had accelerated over the previous year.  Without remedial action, it was likely that the access road would be lost and that the nursery business and residential properties would also be adversely affected.

The Local Area Council were informed that there were at least 11 other locations which were affected by landslips affecting public rights of way in the county.  Any decision would set a precedent regarding capital works in the future.

Members of the Local Area Council were extremely sympathetic with the situation.  However, they were in agreement that it would not be a responsible use of tax payers money given that the Council was not legally of financially responsible.

The following information was given in response to questions from Members:

•       Officers had agreed to review and offer informal technical advice on a temporary solution proposed by a local builder.  However, they were unable to offer formal assistance.

•       If no action were taken, it was likely that the access road would be lost and possibly also the nearby nursery business and residential properties.  It was not possible to determine the timeframe, although the erosion had accelerated in the previous 18 months.

•       The location of the access road prevented relocation of the business.

•       A short 700-meter diversion of the public right of way on to the adjacent Wagonway provided good access to all existing public open spaces.

The Local Area Council unanimously agreed with the recommendations contained in the report.

RESOLVED that

1.     The approach taken to respond on the matter, be noted and supported.

2.     It be noted that the County Council was not the land owner and therefore had no legal or financial responsibility for the land.  Taking any responsibility for this private land would set precedent for how the Council responded to other similar land stability issues elsewhere in the county which would create significant long-term financial liabilities for the Council.

c) To consider updates on petitions previously considered:

There were none to consider.