North Area Panel Minutes 25th May 2005

NORTH AREA PANEL

Meeting held 25th May, 2005 at Wharncliffe Side Community Centre, Brightholmelee Lane

PRESENT:		Councillors Trevor Bagshaw (Chair), Kathleen Chadwick and Alan Hooper.

		Representatives of Panel Partners:-
		Councillor Malcolm Glover - Bradfield Parish Council
		Councillor Andrew Cooke - Stocksbridge Town Council

		City Council Officers:-
		John Charlton - North Area Lead Manager
		Anne Blantern - Area Co-ordinator
		Matthew Rush - Area Action
		Jill Missen - Parks, Woodlands and Countryside
		Andy Bennett - Urban Traffic Control
		Jason Dietsch - Committee Secretariat

		Approximately 14 members of the public, including representatives from community organisations, attended the meeting.

…………

1.	APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE FROM MEMBERS OF THE PANEL
	Apologies for absence were received from Councillors David Baker, Arthur Dunworth and Graham Oxley.

2.	MINUTES
	The minutes of the meeting held on 20th April, 2005, were agreed as a true record.
	Arising from the detailed actions appended to the minutes of the previous meeting, a member of the public commented that there were still concerns in relation to the condition of Buchanan Road which was thought to be in good condition prior to repair compared to some surrounding highway. In response John Charlton, representing Street Force stated that he would respond to the questioner and could arrange a meeting on site to discuss the matters raised further but added that there was an inspection system through which a certain amount of deterioration needed to be reported to justify any resurfacing of highway. He added that the criteria for inspection and resurfacing could be shared with the questioner.
	Anne Blantern, Area Co-ordinator, and John Charlton reported on the results of the In Bloom Competition and it was considered that villages and small Towns entering had done well given that this had been the first time that they had entered the competition.
	Councillor Alan Hooper stated that villages in the North Area had entered the competition with other Yorkshire villages and positive feedback had been received from the judges particularly in relation to community involvement and the involvement of businesses. The Chair, Councillor Trevor Bagshaw added that he was pleased to see how many communities were involved in the In Bloom Competition and Councillor Alan Hooper informed the Panel that the second round of judging would take place in mid July, 2005, and it was hoped that the performance of participants could improve from the advice and feedback received.
	Arising from the previous meeting the contact number for the Local Police Team in Ecclesfield was 0114 296854.

3.	PUBLIC QUESTIONS AND PETITIONS
	The Panel received a petition concerning the proposed change of use of 184 Ecclesfield Road, Chapeltown, to a home for children with behavioural difficulties. The lead petitioner asked for clarification as to whether the change of use would require planning permission from the Council. The Chair, Councillor Trevor Bagshaw, responded to the petitioner that the change of use would require planning permission from the Council. The Chair responded to the petitioner that the petition would be dealt with by the Council’s Planning Department and other Departments of the Authority as far as they were responsible. The lead petitioner supplied contact details for correspondence.

4.	REPORT ON PROGRESS CONCERNING STOCKSBRIDGE SKATE PARK
	Jill Missen, Parks, Woodlands and Countryside reported on progress in relation to the newly constructed skate park at Stocksbridge. Tenders had been received for the work relating to the skate park and work had commenced on the construction in April which was completed on time and the site was handed back to the Council on 3rd May, 2005. The cost of the Project was £111,000 which included the design construction work and five years’ maintenance contract. Proposals for floodlighting and a multi-use games court had been put out to tender but the estimates received for work were considered to be too expensive given the amount of funding obtained for the scheme and in addition permission might not be gained for floodlighting as the area surrounding Oxley Park was in green belt land. It was hoped that further consultation could be carried out with the community concerning the future of Oxley Park.
	A member of the public raised concern in relation to damage to a nearby frontage during construction work on the skate park and Jill Missen responded that she would raise this issue with the contractors.
	A further question was asked concerning whether fencing would be constructed around the skate park so that anti-social behaviour out of hours might be prevented and in response, Jill Missen stated that it would not be practical to fence the entire area off but there was a gallows gate in front of the entrance to the skate park to make it inaccessible for cars. She was aware that individual young adults aged 20 to 23 years were creating particular problems at the site but added that the Police and the Youth Service were aware of the problems.
	The Chair, Councillor Trevor Bagshaw, requested a report on the Project outlining lessons learned for future such Projects.
	A question was asked concerning litter bins on the site and Jill Missen responded that there would be litter bins located on the site but that there had been problems in terms of obtaining a key to empty the bin. In addition regarding wider issues in relation to the skate park it was stated that the Town Council, City Council and friends groups were to arrange discussion concerning the future of the site.
	The Panel noted the report now received and accompanying discussion.

5.	QUARTERLY HIGHWAYS UPDATE
	The Panel received a report from Andy Bennett, Urban Traffic Control, updating Members of the Panel on the criteria for small highway schemes and on the progress of major schemes in the North Area. He explained the process for the delivery of highway schemes from receipt of a request to work being carried out which on average might take between 12 and 18 months to deliver.

	Progress of Major Highway Schemes
	Low Road, Oughtibridge
	It was envisaged that work would start on site in relation to traffic calming measures and a zebra crossing as part of the danger reduction measures on Low Road, Oughtibridge. A member of the public raised concern that the crossing should be a pelican crossing rather than a zebra crossing and that this had been a condition of the planning application for nearby housing developments. Andy Bennett responded that he would obtain information concerning the conditions for the planning application from development control. He added that if there were a condition which had been agreed with the developer this would be separate to the highways schemes which might have been requested by the public. He clarified that the build outs to be used as part of the danger reduction scheme would restrict parking in some areas but would also create natural parking bays in others and in addition there would be a measure of resurfacing as part of the scheme. John Charlton added that Street Force would be looking to carry out any routine maintenance at the same time as works were being done under the scheme in order that works could be completed together. The Chair asked whether the green verge on the left hand side of Low Road leading towards the City would be restored as damage had been done during construction work and Andy Bennett responded that it was likely that the area would be restored to its original condition but stated that he would feed back these comments to the appropriate individuals and John Charlton added that this would be looked at as there were daffodils and other bulbs in the verge.
	A question was asked concerning the effect of highway alterations on businesses who might suffer adverse effects due to reduction in passing trade and Andy Bennett responded that the construction of build outs would actually create parking bays for passing trade to use although he was sympathetic to businesses and in addition it was stated that yellow box markings might be painted on the highway to keep certain junctions free as part of the scheme.
	A further question was asked concerning whether the 30 mph speed limit on Low Road could be extended and it was noted that this had been previously requested as part of a small highways scheme request. Andy Bennett responded that he would raise this issue with Officers as to what had happened to the request stating that between May, 2001, and December, 2004, there had been a number of accidents on that stretch of road some of which had been drink drive related and had resulted in a loss of vehicle control. He added that the City Council did have a speed management plan.

	Oughtibridge Lane
	Andy Bennett reported that the request for a footway across the railway bridge on Oughtibridge Lane had not scored particularly well against the assessment criteria and that such a scheme would require considerable funding. Average speeds on the highway concerned had been recorded with the highest average being 33 mph in a 40 mph zone. It was pointed out by a member of the public that a number of accidents in that area were not reported and were there other options which had been considered. Andy Bennett responded that other options included the provision of traffic lights to control traffic. A further question was asked concerning the risks to cyclists in that stretch of highway and Andy Bennett responded that cyclists would have been taken into consideration as part of the footpath request. The Chair suggested that a survey of traffic volumes on Oughtibridge Lane be repeated in the Autumn as there was a perception that traffic volumes were increasing and Andy Bennett responded that he could arrange for such a survey to be undertaken annually in order to quantify any increase in traffic. A further concern was raised concerning the camber of the highway on the bridge.

	Naylor Road, Oughtibridge
	It was reported that although there was no scheme under the entrance for a school schemes at present, the school had expressed an interest in putting forward a travel plan to increase walking and it was noted that £5,000 was available for each school participating in such a plan and the contact at the Council was Kat Collier, Travel Planner. The Chair asked Councillor Malcolm Glover, Bradfield Parish Council, to make contact with the Chair of Governors at the school regarding the establishment of an independent group to look at the production of a travel plan. It was acknowledged that the site was a difficult one and there was little off street parking for residents themselves and the Chair requested that he be kept informed of progress.

	Stannington Infant School
	A scheme had been progressed through the school entrance scheme which was likely to be built during the Summer holidays 2005 and confirmation would be given as to when the works would actually start.

	Loxley Infant and Junior School, Rodney Hill
	Andy Bennett reported that based on number of injuries in the vicinity of the school it was unlikely that the proposed school entrance scheme at Loxley Infant and Junior School would score well against the criteria and therefore would be unlikely to progress.

	Burncross Road
	It was reported that the zebra crossings on Burncross Road were now all operational and Councillor Kathleen Chadwick reported that at the last meeting the issue of final works to the pelican crossing and outstanding work by the Electricity Board had been raised. She stated that she had contacted the Electricity Board and they had promised to undertake works within three days which they duly did. Andy Bennett stated that a series of after studies would be carried out into traffic flows on Burncross Road to monitor the effects of the traffic calming scheme. It was reported that a petition regarding the noise and increased levels of traffic on Burncross Road would be reported to the Area Planning and Highways Board and the Chair requested that he be informed of this report.

	Wortley Road, High Green
	It was reported that at the Panel meeting on 15th June, 2005, there would be a further report into the waiting restrictions and off-street parking scheme at Wortley Road and requests had been received for a scheme under the school entrance scheme.

	Warren Lane, Chapeltown
	It was reported that traffic calming measures had been completed on Warren Lane and an after study was to be undertaken.

	Plan for Travel, Chapeltown - Update
	Andy Bennett reported that more detailed traffic modelling would be carried out as part of a wider City model being developed by the City Council and that this would need to be completed before funding was forthcoming from the Department of Transport. Concern was expressed at the length of time taken to progress the Plan and the Chair suggested that in the Autumn the Panel consider an item on schemes to include the plan for Chapeltown and Andy Bennett underlined that traffic schemes needed to be considered as a whole rather than separately due to the knock on effects of traffic management measures. A comment was also made that planning should be made around the housing developments at Oughtibridge and the redevelopment at Stocksbridge to plan for changes and it was acknowledged that the scheme was time limited if Objective One funding was to be obtained (by 2007).

	Other Schemes
	A question was asked in relation to Beechwood Road which had been completed but the surrounding highway were in a poor condition due to pot holes and there was concern in relation to cars parking close to the junior school. In response Andy Bennett stated that this would be examined further.
	A question was asked concerning the sequencing of traffic lights in the City particularly along Penistone Road which prevented the flow of traffic to which Andy Bennett responded that the traffic management system allowed for progress in one direction on the road but care was taken to control the speed of vehicles and it was noted that Penistone Road accommodated an average of 61,000 vehicles over a 24 hour period.
	A question was asked concerning schemes at Worral Road which Andy, Bennett stated had been the subject of an improvement scheme. It was also reported that the danger reduction scheme at Haggstones Road had been deferred.
	The Chair raised the following issues:-

	· Bottom of Loxley Road/Yew Tree PH - the yellow box markings had not been replaced following the reinstatement of the highway.

	· Bradfield - was the bridge to be repaired.

	· Oughtibridge - Church Street at the junction there was a broken street sign in front of the Millennium Green.

	John Charlton stated that he would investigate the issues raised by the Chair.
	Further questions were asked in relation to Mill Lane in Ecclesfield and whether a filter lane at the traffic lights could be marked on to the highway for the right hand turn and Andy Bennett responded that if such lines were marked on the highway they would quickly be erased by traffic and it was the responsibility of drivers to position themselves properly when turning right and indeed Officers did not wish to encourage traffic to use a village route but instead would encourage them to use main arterial roads.
	A question was asked as to how double yellow lines could be obtained to create a through way for emergency vehicles and Andy Bennett responded that the questioner should submit a request under the Small Highway Schemes for Assessment.

6.	NORTH AREA ACTION PLAN 2005-2006
	Anne Blantern reported that the Action Plan for 2005-2006 had been produced and copies were now available. The one year Action Plan identified the work to be progressed by the Area Panel and its partners during 2005/06 to address subject as identified in the three year Strategic Plan. The Panel noted the report.

7.	DATE OF FUTURE MEETING
	It was noted that the next meeting of the Panel would be held on Wednesday, 15th June, 2005, starting at 7.00 p.m. at High Green Miners Welfare, Angram Road. Special meetings have been arranged to consider the City’s development framework on the following dates:-

	· Tuesday, 7th June, 2005, at 6.30 p.m. at Oughtibridge Parish Centre, Church Street

	· Wednesday, 8th June, 2005, at 6.30 p.m. at Lomas Hall, Stannington.

	· Monday, 13th June, 2005, at 6.30 p.m. at Chapeltown Library, Netherley Avenue.

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