Minutes of North Area Panel 15 September 2004
NORTH AREA PANEL | ||||
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Meeting held 15th September, 2004 at The Methodist Church, | ||||
Nether Ley Avenue, Chapeltown | ||||
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PRESENT: | Councillors Trevor Bagshaw (Chair), Kathleen Chadwick, Arthur Dunworth, Pat Fox, Alan Hooper and Graham Oxley. | |||
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| Representatives of Panel Partners:- | |||
| John Edwards Councillor Norman Garratt Barbara Frost
Julie Smith | - - -
- | South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Ecclesfield Parish Council South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive North Sheffield PCT
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| ARUP Consultants Neil Walmsley Jonathan Spruce | |||
| City Council Officers:- | |||
| John Bann | - | Assistant Head of Development Services | |
| Andy Bennett | - | Principal Engineer, Traffic Information and Control | |
| John Challenger | - | Committee Secretariat | |
| Jason Dietsch Paul Fell | - - | Committee Secretariat Transport Planning | |
| Matthew Rush Gemma Shepherd
| - - | North Area Support Officer Transport Planning
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| 111 members of the public attended the meeting. | |||
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1. | APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE FROM MEMBERS OF THE PANEL | |||
| Apologies for absence were received from Councillor David Baker. | |||
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2. | MINUTES | |||
| It was agreed to defer consideration of the minutes of the meeting held on 21st July, 2004 to the special meeting of the Area Panel on 23rd September, 2004. | |||
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3. | PUBLIC QUESTIONS AND PETITIONS | |||
| Petitions The Chair reported receipt of a petition relating to traffic problems on Worrall Road.
Public Questions (a) A question was raised concerning the amount of funding allocated to parks in the area. The Chair indicated that information would be supplied direct to the questioner on this matter.
(b) Councillor Norman Garratt, Ecclesfield Parish Council, asked a question concerning fencing erected on Sussex Road and whether it was temporary or if enquiries had been made with Network Rail/Railtrack. The Chair responded that the matter would be reported back to the next meeting.
(c) A question was asked concerning the selling of vehicles from Smith Street. It was agreed that The Highways Link Officer would be requested to investigate this matter.
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4. | PLAN4 TRAVEL STUDY FOR CHAPELTOWN, HIGH GREEN AND ECCLESFIELD | |||
| The Panel received a presentation from Neil Walmsley and Jonathan Spruce of Arup Consultants outlining the Plan4 Travel study, the brief for which was to consider a strategic approach to traffic management across Chapeltown, Ecclesfield and High Green. The methodology of the study had been to identify issues and problems and to undertake stakeholder interviews and public consultation. Consultation events had identified key issues related to:
In order to move the plan forward, further discussion with stakeholders would be needed to create a vision and agree a hierarchy of routes supported by alternative transport solutions and development opportunities. | |||
| The presentation outlined a route hierarchy, differentiating between those routes used for strategic links and routes used to travel between local centres. Burncross Road and Nether Lane might be downgraded and a new link created by developing Thorncliffe Lane. The creation of such new links would give the opportunity to improve traffic management. Traffic management measures included junction improvements on Cowley Lane, Nether Lane, Station Road, Arundel Road and at the junction with the A61. They also included demand management to discourage through traffic, particularly HGV vehicles and town centre improvements. | |||
| Improvement could be made to the transport infrastructure including interchanges in Chapeltown, Ecclesfield and Smithy Wood and the creation of quality bus corridors to give buses priority and make their use more attractive. Sustainable alternatives could be pursued including encouragement of walking and cycling, greater use of public transport and community transport. Town centre improvements could include the creation of one-way systems on Sussex Road and Arundel Road, traffic signal control, bus only sections and improvements for pedestrians and cyclists. As part of improvements to the town centre, it was hoped that opportunities for parking might also be improved. | |||
| Jonathan Spruce outlined in greater detail how the elements of the plan would be delivered. The study had been funded by Yorkshire Forward and future development of the plan would be driven by the funding time frame. There were five elements of potential funding:
The programme included short, medium and long term measures which were to complement funding opportunities and might only be achieved by partnership working. | |||
| The Chair invited members of the public to make comments and ask questions to the representatives of Arup relating to the travel study. Concern was expressed that commercial concerns would be given priority over those of local and particularly pedestrian users of highways. In response Jonathan Spruce stated that development would only take place as a result of the planning process and that within the study greater consideration was being given to pedestrian use of highways. He added that feedback from the Area Panel was a key starting point for the development of highways and links to development sites. Concern was also expressed that there had been over intensive residential developments in the area and as a result there was little car parking for residents' vehicles. In response it was stated that a bid could be submitted as part of the new Local Transport Plan to help manage residential car parking. | |||
| In response to concerns raised, the Chair stated that it was the responsibility of everyone to make the future different from the experience of the past and there would be further opportunity to contribute to the strategic plan and resultant detailed proposals. He invited members of the public to write to him as Chair of the Panel with views on the scheme. In response to a question regarding Smithy Wood and the proposed industrial development at that site, the Chair stated that a meeting would be held on 12th October, 2004 in Chapeltown Library, starting at 5.30 p.m. | |||
| Concern was expressed that the proposed one-way street on Sussex Road would leave less room for residents' parking and that similar proposals for Arundel Road would also mean greater congestion. The difficulty in access for disabled people living on that road and issues relating to the Asda Store and associated traffic were also highlighted. Reference was made to the potential for the Asda Store to move from its present location. Discussion was held on the status of Thorncliffe Lane and particularly its recent closure by the landowner. A comment was made that when housing development was allowed by the Council, highways implications were not also considered. Councillor Arthur Dunworth responded that infrastructure to support development was vital and that the current consultation through the Area Panel would feed into the planning process. He also added that highways implications were considered as part of the planning process. | |||
| A question was asked regarding proposals for Smith Street and in particular if there were plans in the scheme to designate some areas for residents-only parking. The Chair responded that at present the Area Panel were considering the larger picture and it was suggested by Councillor Graham Oxley that the matter be pursued by the Parish Council. | |||
| In response to a question concerning the impact of industrial developments it was stated that each site would have its own impact assessment and at present the overall scheme was being considered so that the Council had a strategic vision to put to developers and a plan to work within. Comment was made that the general principle of the proposals might result in bottlenecks in urban areas rather than the desired outcome, which was a flow of traffic through the area. | |||
| The Chair (a) requested that copies of slides relating to the presentation and the Panel minutes be distributed to those members of the public who had requested additional information; and (b) on behalf of the Panel, thanked Mr. Spruce and Mr. Walmsley for their presentation and their responses to comments and questions. | |||
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5. | HIGHWAYS UPDATE
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5.1 | Update on Highways Works in the Northern Area Mr Andy Bennett, Principal Engineer, Traffic Information and Control, updated the Panel on highways related matters. He outlined the assessment process for accident saving schemes and reported on the progress of current schemes.
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(iii) | The Ecclesfield Village traffic calming scheme was nearing completion.
The Greengate Road scheme had not scored highly when compared to other schemes in the City particularly in relation to the number of child accidents and relative deprivation. Discussion was held on the change of assessment criteria whereby deprivation was factored into any assessment for an accident saving or highways improvement scheme.
The Stannington Road/School Road Safety Scheme would be completed in the autumn/winter.
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(iv)
(v) | In relation to the Wortley Road scheme, Council officers were attempting to obtain funding as the proposals had not scored well under scheme assessment criteria. One opportunity for such funding was from the Schools Entrance Schemes Fund and alternative, non-engineering, options to decrease car usage might be pursued through school travel plans.
The Hagg Stones Road/Worrall Road, Worrall scheme was nearing completion with only minor outstanding works to be undertaken.
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(vi) | The Low Road, Oughtibridge scheme was currently being designed and funded by developer contributions using Section 278 monies. | |||
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(vii)
(viii) | In Stocksbridge, the Beechwood Road scheme had been through the assessment process and a design had been completed. The Council was waiting for statutory utilities to respond before work could commence.
The Station Road, Oughtibridge scheme for additional car parking was currently in development.
It was noted that the closing date for consultation on the Warren Lane scheme had been 31st August, 2004 and a report on the scheme would be made to a future meeting.
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5.2 | Burncross Road Traffic Calming/Road Safety Measures | |||
| Mr Bennett outlined the proposed accident safety scheme on Burncross Road, Chapeltown. A public meeting had been held in 2002, which had been well attended and which received comments on the current problems on Burncross Road together with requests for specific improvements. The scheme had been put into the current year’s work programme for highways and plans had been made available to the Parish Council and it was proposed that plans would also be posted in Chapeltown Library. Authorisation for the scheme had been given by the Council’s North and West Planning and Highways Area Board on 7th September, 2004. Residents were reminded that there was still opportunity to make suggestions or lodge objections to the proposed scheme in writing, which would be reported to the Planning and Highways Area Board in November. | |||
| Mr Bennett also outlined accident prevention measures including mild road humps, zebra crossing, speed activated signs, double yellow lines at various locations, improved signs and marking and kerb build outs. Residents were invited to make comments and ask questions on the proposals. A resident asked why traffic lights were not being installed at the junction near the Acorn Public House. It was considered that the junction at Hall Wood Road represented an accident spot and that visibility was a problem at the junction. Mr Bennett responded that the cost of installing a new traffic control at the junction would be between £150,000 to £200,000 and, under the assessment criteria, the junction was not felt to warrant traffic control. 'Dragons teeth' markings would be drawn in the section of road between the junctions of Chapel Road and Blackburn Drive where there had previously been a high number of accidents. In addition, a gateway feature would be installed at the approach to this junction. | |||
| A question was asked regarding the availability of information concerning accident clusters in the area. Mr Bennett responded that copies of the report taken to the North and West Planning and Highways Area Board on 7th September outlined the accident history and further information could be obtained by contacting the Council’s website or by requests being made in writing to Council officers. | |||
| Mr. Bennett reassured residents that a double white line opposite Chapel Road would be removed as it was painted there in error. He confirmed that the bus stop currently located near to the old Post Office would be moved by a small distance. In addition, double yellow lines would be placed on the short section of road opposite the Crown and Cushion Public House and the Chapel Road and Chapel Close sections. It was noted that new traffic management legislation would give local authorities greater power to enforce traffic management measures. Concern was expressed that implementation of traffic calming along Burncross Road would cause drivers to use alternative routes thus causing problems such as 'rat runs' elsewhere. Mr Bennett responded that the traffic calming measures were considered moderate so as not to encourage drivers to use alternative routes to avoid the calming measures. Some residents put forward the view that speed cameras were the best form of decreasing vehicle speeds. Mr Bennett responded that the scheme intended to compliment initiatives taken by the Camera Safety Partnership and added that South Yorkshire Police Traffic Management Section had been consulted on the scheme. | |||
| John Bann, Assistant Head of Development Services (Head of Transport and Highways Division), commented that Council officers worked on the assumption that residents wanted some action taken concerning traffic calming on Burncross Road. He stated that there had been 40 accidents in the past five years, five of which had been serious. There was a total of £125,000 to spend on the scheme by the end of March 2005. He stated that issues raised in writing by members of the public would be responded to by Officers. Also, all views expressed by residents would be reported to members of the Council through the North and West Planning and Highways Area Board and there was opportunity for residents to officially object to the traffic orders. He added that members of the public could attend the Planning Board and address members in person.
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5.3 | Wortley Road | |||
| In response to the Chair's invitation for comment on Wortley Road, a resident commented that the Road was not wide enough to accommodate the large number of buses using the highway. A calming scheme of the type proposed for Burncross Road was requested. A further comment was made regarding the use of deprivation as a measure in the assessment of traffic calming and highways measures. Concern was expressed that not only the most deprived areas should have the benefit of funding for such schemes. | |||
| The Chair, on behalf of the Panel, thanked John Bann and Andy Bennett for their contribution and thanked members of the public for attending the meeting.
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6. | DATE OF NEXT MEETING | |||
| It was noted that the date and venue for the next meeting were to be confirmed. A Special Meeting would be held on Thursday 23 September at Corus, Stocksbridge Works at 6.00pm. On Tuesday 12 October 2004 at 5.30pm, a Special meeting would be held in Chapeltown Library to consider the proposed Smithy Wood development. | |||