Agenda item

PETITIONS

This item is to:

 

1.    Receive any new petitions: to receive any new petitions.  The lead petitioner is entitled to submit a written statement to introduce their petition, and a response to any petitions received will then be organised for a future meeting;

 

2.    Consider reports on petitions previously received:

 

Speeding Traffic on B6318 at Chollerford

(Report attached as Appendix C.)

 

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

Minutes:

This item was to:

 

a) Receive any new petitions:

 

No new petitions had been received.

 

b) Consider reports on petitions previously received:

 

Speeding Traffic on the B6318 at Chollerford

 

The Local Area Council considered the petition which requested that Northumberland County Council implement traffic calming measures on the B6318 between Chollerford roundabout and Walwick.  (A copy of the report is enclosed with the minutes as Appendix C.)

 

A statement in support of the petition from Helen McCall, the Lead Petitioner, was read out by N Turnbull, Democratic Services Officer.   The statement would be attached to the signed copy of the minutes and would be uploaded to the Council’s website.

 

The Principal Programme Officer (Highways Improvement) explained that he had been unable to arrange a site visit with the Lead Petitioner due to the restrictions in force during the Covid-19 pandemic.  As these would hopefully be relaxing soon, he would arrange a socially distanced meeting outside with the Lead Petitioner and Councillor Gibson, as the local member.  He commented that:

 

·       The permanent counter was very well hidden.  It was a grey box hidden in the grass verge on the southern side of the road in the extended 40-mph section next to the new housing development.

·       The accident data related to the area from the roundabout to Walwick Hall and covered the previous 4/5-year period.  It was obtained from Gateshead Council, who maintained accident data for all local authorities within the Northumbria Police area.  The accident in 2018 was as a result of driver error.  There may have been more incidents prior to this period.

·       Traffic calming measures were only implemented in areas where the speed limit was 30 mph, or less.  It would be very difficult to implement physical measures in an area where the speed limit was 40-mph.

·       The missing signs would be investigated.

·       A copy of the petition had been sent to Northumbria Police who were dealing with a new speeding enforcement strategy under their Operation Modero initiative.

 

In answer to a question, he confirmed that the frequency of calibration of the equipment would be checked.

 

Members noted that the footpath was narrower in places and it was suggested that some of the trees might have tree preservation orders on them.  This would be investigated and widening and the condition of the footpath explored.

 

The Chair suggested that a meeting be arranged as soon as possible with the lead petitioner, and possibly virtually, in the first instance.

 

Councillor Gibson, the local member, confirmed that he had visited the location earlier that day and confirmed the presence of the permanent counter.  He acknowledged that the stretch of road in questions was fast, straight and downhill.  He recalled a motorbike fatal accident a number of years ago.  Speeding had become one of the most talked about issues at meetings, but unfortunately it was difficult to prevent inconsiderate drivers.

 

RESOLVED that the issues raised in the petition and the contents of the report, be noted, including:

 

a)    A site visit or virtual meeting be arranged with the Lead Petitioner.

b)    A further speed survey be carried out and that the speed limit be reviewed on receipt of the survey.

c)    The width and condition of the footway be explored.

 

c) To consider updates on petitions previously considered:

 

There were none to consider.

Supporting documents: