Agenda item

The report sets out the details of the draft Local Transport Plan (LTP) programme for 2022-23 for consideration and comment by the Local Area Council, prior to final approval of the programme by the Interim Executive Director of Planning and Local Services in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment and Local Services. 

A comprehensive introduction to the report was provided by P Jones, Service Director, Local Services with R McCartney, Infrastructure Manager also in attendance.  The report set out the details of the Local Transport Plan (LTP) programme for 2022-23 for consideration and comment by the Local Area Council prior to final approval of the programme by the Interim Executive Director of Planning and Local Services in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment and Local Services.

In response to questions from Members the following information was noted:

·       The Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans (LCWIPs) were in relation to the 12 main towns in Northumberland with the aim to reduce local commuting and promote the use of walking/cycling etc for journeys of 2 miles or less and Mr Jones was not aware of any discussion related to an additional scheme for the Seaton Valley Area. Councillor Ferguson would take this up after the meeting as following the approval of the rail station at Seaton Delaval he had been led to believe a LCWIP was to be developed for this.

·       The duplication of schemes on Beresford Road would be investigated and if speed reduction measures were required elsewhere this could be considered.

·       Any schemes not completed in the current year would be taken forward to 2022/23.

·       The format of the report changed a number of years ago.

·       The proposed £1.5m identified in the Medium Term Financial Plan for the LCWIPs would be allocated once the results of the consultations had been completed.

·       Each 20mph school scheme would be tailored to its locality and the issues within each area.

·       If the additional £2m was approved for small paths and roads, highways asset management principals would be used to identify schemes using the condition of the network and road hierarchy. Officers would come forward with a draft programme for agreement by the Cabinet Member and Executive Director and would be made public after that.

·       Mr McCartney would investigate the proposed pedestrian crossing or traffic calming measures on Netherton Lane as all traffic from St Benet Biscop school now exited onto this road.

·       The majority of the allocation of £50,000 included for urban road safety issues across Holywell Village and Phase 1 of the Croft Ward home zone would be spent in Holywell as the Croft Ward part was for a feasibility study.

·       Mr Jones would investigate the introduction of 40mph speed limit on Crow Hall Lane, Cramlington following information from Members that signs currently advised of a 30 mph limit and this had been what Members had requested.

·       Members were advised that the provision of electronic speed signs were not sponsored or supported by NCC however should Town or Parish Councils or Ward Members wish to purchase these there installation would be supported.  A discussion took place with Members highlighting contrary advice being provided on the different types of signs and the diversity of signs across the County and the ways in which these were powered with some being hardwired into lampposts.  Offices advised that it was Council policy not to purchase the signs and they should not be hardwired into lampposts.  It was agreed that clarity was needed.

·       The £15,000 funding allocated for the rebuilding of the bridlepath alongside the River Blyth in Bedlington Country Park was to enable detailed design and costings to be agreed with the possibility of the scheme being carried out within the following year’s budget.

·       The viability of a 20 mph scheme which had been requested by West Bedlington Town Council for Burdon Terrace would be checked.

·       Whilst the joining up of cycleways between towns would be an ideal scenario the focus of the LCWIPs at the current time was routes within the 12 main towns, however this would possibly be an aspiration for the future.

·       The £2m allocated for the maintenance of footpaths, footways and cycleways included residential areas, however the defect/hazard set in the Inspection Manual was 20mm trip hazard.

·       In respect of the funding for the Todstead landslip it was advised that this was for ground investigations to be undertaken to understand the site and to work on a long term solution for the problem.  No funding had been available for this work under the DFT Challenge Fund and a decision had been made for the Council to utilise it’s own funds for this work.

·       Officers would investigate the position in relation to phase 3 of Stead Lane which had not been included in the programme.  Also the position in relation to Collingwood Grange estate.

·       In relation to a request for a survey to be undertaken into the effectiveness of speed reduction signs, it was advised that most serious accidents occurred on unrestricted roads and that nationally only 20% of accidents were caused by speed with the majority caused by distractions or road conditions and the figure was 10% in Northumberland.  Speed indicators recorded data which was available to be interrogated.

·       Signage on the A1171 could be included under a different budget heading  and this would be checked.

·       The progress of a possible scheme for Park Road, Seaton Delaval would be checked with N Snowdon.

·       In response to Members advising of confusion caused by schemes not being individually identified and the possibility of them being included under different budget headings, Officers advised that this was a presentational issue to prevent reports becoming too long, but this would be revisited.  In respect of the number of schemes being put forward to those that were actually taken forward Officers advised that it was a difficult process and the level of subscriptions far outweighed the level of resources available.  The whole process was being looked at. 

·       Work was being undertaken in conjunction with Cramlington Town Council in relation to congestion to the west side of the town centre and CCTV survey work was currently being analysed and dialogue ongoing with Advance Northumberland as the owners of Manor Walks.  This was a work in progress.

·       In relation to speeding on Dudley Lane and the changing speed limits on the stretch of road Officers advised that they were aware of this issue, however this was predominantly a speed enforcement issue, with ways being investigated on how the speed limits could be made clearer.     Councillor Swinburn also highlighted an issue with parking and vehicles having to reverse either around a blind corner into a residential estate or onto the dual carriageway if the gates were shut at Cramlington Learning Village. It was confirmed that there was an allocation this year to investigate the use of an average speed camera in this area.

·       The situation at Broad Law Business Park in terms of the planning application was being monitored however it was the opinion of N Snowdon that the work needed to be carried out.

·       The current position of the last phase of East Farm Terrace in Cramlington Village which had not been completed the previous year and was not included within this year would be looked at.

Councillor Ezhilchevlan advised that the provision of dropped kerbs which had included in his proposed schemes for this year had actually now been carried out and he had received notes from over 90 residents thanking the Council for undertaking this work.

The Officers were thanked for their attendance and input.

RESOLVED that the information be noted.