Agenda item

To acknowledge receipt of the petition received by Democratic Services regarding a community campaign to amend the use of the B6318 Military Road from its junction with the A68 at Stagshaw Roundabout to Heddon-on-the-Wall.

The Petitions Committee were requested to acknowledge receipt of the petition received by Democratic Services regarding a community campaign to amend the use of the B6318 Military Road from its junction with the A68 at Stagshaw Roundabout to Heddon-on-the-Wall.  (A copy of the report is enclosed with the signed minutes).

Andrew Clayton, the lead petitioner, addressed the Committee and highlighted two main concerns:

·       Their primary concern was the safety of the community, the different road users and visitors who supported many businesses along the wall.

·       In 2019 approximately £1 billion had been generated by Northumberland tourism and many businesses were thriving due to this in tough economic times.  7,000 visitors had made the pilgrimage along Hadrian’s Wall with 30,000 having completed the central section along the Military Road.  The number of visitors was expected to double to during the Hadrian’s wall festival in 2022.

·       Tourists who had supported the petition had made comments about not repeating the walk due to the trucks and comparing it to a racetrack.

·       Traffic should be encouraged to use the alternative route which would only take one minute longer.  Use of A routes would promote visitors and enable communities to live happier, healthier lifestyles.

·       They were grateful that road surveys were being organised at Two Hoots/Robin Hood/Heddon road surveys, particularly as 2 Harlow Hill residents incurred life threatening injuries in June 2021.  That accident was not shown in the accident summary within the report, and they therefore had concerns regarding the accuracy of the accident data shared.

·       They referred to video footage of HGV’s crossing double white lines at Harlow Hill and an email from the Council which referred to area being dangerous.  He suggested that as the village now had more than 20 residences, the road should have a 30mph limit in accordance with a Department of Transport circular.

·       Residents were awaiting the results of the road survey carried out at Halton Shields in December 2021.  They were concerned that the figures would not be a true reflection of use over the year given the freezing conditions.

·       The second issue they wished to highlight was HGV use of the road which saved 1 minute compared to using the safer A68 and A69 roads.  That route was more fuel efficient and less disturbing to local communities.

·       He queried whether Members understood the volume of HGV traffic using the B road and made reference to the planning permission at Barrasford Quarry for 300 trucks per day, 290 days of the year which equated to 174,000 HGV trips to and from the quarry.  It operated 24 hours per day and equalled one HGV every 2.4 minutes.

·       It was difficult for residents to sleep with HGVs driving less than 3 metres away and noise levels above the maximum limits advised by the Health and Safety Executive.

·       They appreciated the intention to educate hauliers, however this had already been attempted.

·       Councillor Sanderson had raised the issue in 2019/20.

·       Despite Tarmac agreeing not to use the road at night on 11.08.2021, it had continued to be used.

·       PC Wilkinson had visited Barrasford Quarry on the 11.10.2021 to educate the hauliers.  Video evidence demonstrated that this had been ignored and Tarmac had confirmed trucks had sped through Harlow Hill on 14.10.2021, only a few days after the Police visit.  Further video evidence had been provided which showed multiple examples of dangerous driving in a 30-minute period one evening.

·       Quarry traffic was 90% of the HGV problem and he requested that action be taken to save lives and communities who had helped reinvigorate rural villages and encourage visitors to return to the county.

Neil Snowdon, Principal Programme Officer (Highways Improvement), confirmed that:

·        Accident data in the previous 5 years had been analysed.  Police were aware of concerns in those areas and enforcement activity was regularly carried out at Harlow Hill.  Halton Shields was included within their Operation Modero database.

·        The speed survey at Halton Shields would need to be repeated in the near future as the equipment had been damaged and the information was incomplete.

·        Once the speed surveys were completed, investigatory work would be carried out at the specified junctions to see where signage and road markings could be potentially improved after also considering the cause factors at the person injury accidents.

·        It was acknowledged that there may have been more accidents which had not involved injuries to individuals and had therefore not been recorded.

·        Quarries needed to adhere to planning conditions and further communication would be carried out by colleagues to remind them of requirements.

·        Classified speed surveys would be able to provide data on the types of vehicles using the routes and speed of HGV traffic.

Councillor Jones, the local member for the Ponteland West ward which covered the majority of the area and expressed her support for the petition.  She commented that there had been a number of new houses built, small developments and barn conversions at Harlow Hill and Halton Shields in recent years and the impact of the road may not have been considered by planning. More families were now living along the road.  Work by the Council in the past had included reduced speed limits at Harlow Hill, additional signage, road markings and traffic calming measures as well as working with the police, Historic England on the possibility of interactive speed indicators and more planned at Halton Shields.  The latter needed to be consulted due to the proximity of Hadrian’s Wall.  Whilst there were not many residences in the vicinity of Matfen Piers, it was also a busy junction and safety measures should be considered.  Due to the size of lorries, it was frightening when they passed close to pedestrians who did not feel safe.  It was a major road and measures to protect residents needed to be considered.

Councillor John Riddle, Portfolio Holder for Local Services agreed that safety was of paramount importance.  He commented that the Military Road was part of the strategic road network and a diversionary route if there were an incident on the A69.  He agreed that it was timely to look at the speed limit at Harlow Hill as there were more residential properties at that location.  He had already requested that signage at the Matfen Piers junction be reviewed.  He added that he could see both sides of the argument regarding preferred routes as he was the former holder of an HGV licence there were advantages of not driving roads with steep inclines with a heavily laden wagon.  He would therefore not support the proposal that the road only be used for access for HGV vehicles.

Members of the Petitions Committee commented that:

·        Several commented on their familiarity with the Military Road and the junctions identified and expressed surprise that the Matfen junction had not been included.

·        There used to be more quarries in the area; including Mootlaw which had been one of the largest in Europe and was currently mothballed.

·        Planning permission for quarries was granted with operational conditions, such as routing agreements, which would be reviewed and checked to see if they needed to be clarified with operators.

·        The speed survey at Halton Shields be rearranged quickly.

·        Speed monitoring cameras were effective in slowing traffic down and raising awareness.

·        Several of the members expressed sympathy as they experienced similar problems in their own wards.

·        It took one minute longer to go via the A68 and A69.

·        There was speculation whether there a bonus or target for HGV drivers to achieving a certain number of journeys per shift.

·        It would appear to be the perception of speed, rather than actual speed, which appeared to be the issue.

·        HGVs contained tachographs which monitored speed which the police or traffic commissioner would be able to review.  Information submitted by the lead petitioner had led to a review of some incidents by the company who had confirmed that the individual responsible had exceeded the speed limit and no longer worked for them.

·        Regular discussions were held between planning colleagues and quarry operators and the speed of HGVs would be brought to their attention.

·        Following the speeds surveys and investigation, it was suggested that a report be considered by scrutiny.  This would be considered by the Chairmen’s Group.

RESOLVED that the Petitions Committee note the contents of the report, acknowledge receipt of the petition and supported the following proposed actions:

a)      Further speed surveys be undertaken at the locations highlighted to identify traffic speeds.

b)      Further investigation be carried out regarding the causes of the injury accidents along this route over the last five years to better understand and evaluate any potential patterns in contributory factors.

c)      Consideration be given to any potential signage and road marking improvements which may assist in alleviating the road safety concerns raised depending on the outcome of the investigations outlined in a) and b) above.

d)      Consideration also be given to strengthening existing advisory signage for HGVs to try to further encourage use of the A68 / A69 for through HGV traffic.  Further dialogue be held with main haulage users in the area to encourage use of the A68 / A69 route.