To receive a verbal update from the Area Managers from Technical Services and Neighbourhood Services in attendance about any key recent, ongoing and/or future planned Local Services work for the attention of members of the Local Area Council, who will also then have the opportunity to raise issues with the Area Managers.
The Area Managers have principal responsibility for highway services and environmental services, such as refuse collection, street cleansing and grounds maintenance, within the geographic boundaries of the Local Area Council.
Minutes:
G Bucknall, Highways Area Delivery, updated Members on highways issues in the North of the County.
• A huge programme of work, double the normal amount, had been delivered despite the pandemic and the recent poor weather.
• Of 205 major schemes in the County, 176 had been delivered with the remainder expected to be completed in April/May.
• 59 schemes were in the northern area with 49 completed and the remainder would be completed in the next few weeks.
• North Road Berwick was deferred indefinitely to allow for the Flood Team to identify a solution to the problems there.
• Recently completed LTP schemes included Hazon, Wilkinson Park, Alwinton, Grange Road Shilbottle, Warkworth Avenue and Dial Place Warkworth, Chathill, Ford and Etal and Branxton
• In the next few weeks, two schemes at Norham, the Peth at Wooler, Percy Terrace and Lovaine Terrace at Berwick, North End Longframlington, Coldrife, Low Road to Weldon, North Middleton and Duddo
• There were also two footpath schemes in Alnwick and Church Street Amble.
• Traffic Safety Schemes such as 20 mph zones, dropped kerbs and car park improvements continued to be delivered.
• Bridge schemes were ongoing along with the cleaning and jetting of gullies.
• There was a number of potholes following the poor weather and additional resources had been made available to deal with this.
• The COVID signage in town centres had been renewed.
The following responses were made in relation to Members’ queries:-
• Reports of a number of potholes, particularly in Percy Terrace and Percy Street, Alnwick would be chased up. Work to pavements in Alnwick were likely to begin in April.
• Reporting of faded road markings could be made either electronically or directly to the Highways Manager. This type of work tended to be carried out during the summer months.
• Officers were aware of the poor state of the road verges at Swarland.
• The issue of water on the road between Longframlington and Swarland and potential to flood a property could be dealt with as part of a scheme in the next LTP programme.
• A Signs Team was to be set up to deal with the large number of damaged road signs in the County. The team would be asked to look at the damaged road sign at the Northumberland Arms, West Thirston.
• The bus shelter at Shilbottle was being dealt with by the Structures Team and a retaining wall was being designed.
• The latest situation regarding the chicanes in Longframlington would be investigated.
• The road surface at High Cliff Estate, Berwick was in a poor state and on the list of priorities for repair.
• The grass area near the school on Osborne Road, Berwick could be assessed as potential additional parking area.
• The condition of the road outside Belford Primary School would be assessed.
• The position regarding the damage done to the village green in Elsdon would be investigated along with timber lorries not using designated routes.
• Structural patching and tree cutting was to be done on the Low Road.
• The situation regarding road markings at Golden Square, Berwick would be checked with the Highways Inspector.
• Damage to highways signs should be picked up by Highways Inspector in the course of their work. Damage to a sign on the Acklington to Amble Road was noted.
Bob Hodgson, Local Services, updated Members as follows:-
• Winter work had continued despite challenging weather conditions and summer works would be commencing soon. Some rural locations had been difficult to access during the winter but the teams were up to date with work. There had been very few complaints.
• Access to vaccination centres had been maintained.
• Grass cutting had just begun but would depend on ground conditions.
• Weed control would be undertaken inhouse again this year. A trial of glyphosate alternatives was planned and other options were being assessed for their effectiveness.
• Enhanced street cleaning, litter bin emptying and cleaning of public conveniences would be required. Plans were in place in view of the anticipated increased footfall.
• It was business as usual for the waste collection services and the garden waste collections had started again. There had been an increase in the numbers requesting this service. The price had remained the same as last year.
• The glass collection continued and its effectiveness was being monitored. After five collections in the Alnwick area, nearly 35.5 tonnes had been collected.
The following responses were made in relation to Members’ queries:-
• Volunteers for litter picking were essential and very welcome. Collection of the resulting rubbish bags could be arranged by contacting the Local Services Officer.
• The situation regarding trees in Longframlington Cemetery would be assessed and any appropriate action taken.
• The England and Northumberland County Council flags had been replaced at the Border.
• The dirty state of some town signage would be looked by the Signs Team referred to by the Highways Officer.
• Litter bins were a Town and Parish Council asset and were emptied by Northumberland County Council on their behalf. Although there was a reasonable amount of flexibility regarding the location and number of bins, it was preferred if they were located within a reasonable carrying distance.
• The Local Services Manager was happy to have a walk around the High Cliff and East Cliff areas of Berwick to look at issues in that area. Issues could also be taken up with Bernicia.
• It would be possible to assist North Sunderland Parish Council with the cleaning of rubbish bins. It would depend on the frequency but could possibly be done four times per year starting before the tourist season.
RESOLVED that the information was noted.