Minutes of the Highways Committee Meeting

10 November 2020, 7.00pm

Held via Zoom

Present: Cllr John Last (Chairman)

Cllr Phil Harle

Cllr Colin Ginger

Cllr Nicky Corbett

Cllr David Bailey

Cllr David Morsley

Cllr Lesley Hill

Cllr Selena Levermore

County Cllr Russ Rainger

Mr Mark Nichols – Suffolk Highways

Mrs Caroline Rinder (Deputy Town Clerk)

	Action
1. PUBLIC FORUM No questions were raised.
2. APOLOGIES No apologies were received.
3. MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD 12 AUGUST 2020 It was proposed by Cllr Hill, seconded by Cllr Bailey and agreed that the minutes were a true record.
4. MATTERS ARISING Entrance to New Housing Development at Old Gas Works, Carr Avenue – Mrs Rinder confirmed this had been done. Seaward Avenue Grass Verges – Mrs Rinder will chase up with Flagship the ‘no parking’ signs to be reinstated on the grassed areas. Dropped Kerb at Lime Tree Avenue – Cllr Harle will contact Flagship again regarding permission for a dropped kerb. High Street Bus Stop – County Cllr Rainger is still looking into the issues with the low spot at the bus stop where a large rain puddle collects. Mr Nichols will investigate if the carriageway could be levelled perhaps. Civil Parking Enforcement – Information circulated by Cllr Cooper and a presentation was delivered by Lewis Boudville, ESC Parking Services Manager to the October Council meeting. Vehicle Parking Sign at Sizewell Beach – Mrs Rinder confirmed a new sign had been installed. Flooding on Sizewell Gap Road – Cllr Harle sent a report via the online reporting tool. Byway at Sizewell – County Cllr Ranger advised the large mounds of dirt were on the landowner’s land to stop vehicles parking and to protect the habitat.	CR PH Highways
5. PEDESTRIAN CROSSING ON ALDEBURGH ROAD UPDATE Mr Nichols submitted a scheme commissioning document to the Local Highways Budget (LHB) team on 18 September and Mrs Rinder subsequently sent further details, including photos, to confirm the exact location of the proposed crossing on 13 October. Unfortunately, we are still waiting on the quote for the pedestrian and road traffic surveys and Mr Nichols will follow this up. It was also noted the surveys to be carried out when the schools are open as this is the busiest time. County Cllr Rainger had previously agreed to support some of the cost of this study from his Highways budget.	Highways
6. HIGH STREET BUS STOP UPDATE Mr Nichols confirmed the order has been placed for bus stop white line markings. County Cllr Rainger agreed to fund the cost from his Highways budget, estimate of £900-£1,100. The timeline is 14 weeks from order so it is hoped this will be completed by early January.
7. SIGNS TO ST MARGARET’S CHURCH UPDATE Mr Nichols confirmed the design is complete and the order raised for 2 signs on Station Road and Park Hill with completion by the end of the year.
8. REVIEW OF SAFETY ISSUES AT STATION ROAD CROSSING Cllr Hill suggested revisiting the original report from February 2018 on traffic calming measures at the crossing. Mrs Rinder will add this to the February agenda for discussion and circulate the report. Cllr Ginger had raised concerns previously regarding the height of the chevron sign and Mr Nichols confirmed it was designed so the sign could be clearly seen by motorists going up the hill approaching the level crossing. Cllr Bailey also felt it was too high and Mr Nichols agreed to ask if it could be lowered.	CR Highways
9. RESPONSIBILITY FOR MUD ON THE ROAD AT SAXMUNDHAM ROAD HOUSING DEVELOPMENT Cllr Hill raised concerns regarding mud on the road at the new housing development on Saxmundham Road and who was responsible. She also reported the footpath was muddy from vehicles crossing. County Cllr Rainger advised the responsibility lies with the developer and should be part of their planning statement to clear up any mud on the highway. Mrs Rinder will raise with ESC Planning. Cllr Hill also mentioned people having to walk in the road to avoid the muddy footpath. Mrs Rinder will raise this with the Planning team as well. Mr Nichols suggested reporting online to Highways as a safety issue so an Engineer can investigate and take necessary action on clearing the mud and recharging the developer.	CR CR
10. SPEED SURVEY RESULTS IN RED HOUSE LANE County Cllr Rainger explained a resident living in Red House Lane had complained to him about cars speeding excessively along this road so he asked for a speed survey to be carried out. The results of the week long survey revealed that the mean average speed was 26mph. After further discussion it was proposed by Cllr Harle, seconded by Cllr Ginger to identify a speed sign site in Red House Lane but this was not carried. It was therefore agreed to take no further action and Mrs Rinder will respond to the resident.	CR
11. HAYLINGS ROAD/KINGS ROAD DRAINAGE GULLEYS Cllr Harle again reported vegetation in the gulleys and misplaced covers in Kings Road. Cllr Last had taken photos which were forwarded to Mr Nichols. Mr Nichols confirmed the dislodged drain covers would be repaired/replaced within 10 days and would check when the gulley cleansing was due. A future works order to replace the full length of drains had been submitted but no timeframe was given due to budget constraints. Mr Nichols advised to report any concerns on the reporting tool.	Highways
12. ASHFIELD DRIVE RESURFACING Mr Nichols advised Ashfield Drive resurfacing was in the work programme for April – September 2021.
13. YELLOW LINING AT ENTRANCE TO SIZEWELL POWER STATION Cllr Harle raised concerns regarding cars parking along the entrance to the Power Station making visibility leaving the site difficult and he felt double yellow lining should be considered. Cllr Harle was unsure if the Power Station supported the idea of yellow lining but said bollards had been placed along the road which had improved matters. After some discussion Cllr Harle will speak to the site management team for their views. It was noted parking hazards can be reported on the ESC website on parking services.	PH
14. FUTURE PLANNED HIGHWAYS WORKS Mr Nichols advised surface dressing for King Edward Road, Ashfield Drive, Garrett Crescent, Minden Drive, Eastward [poiu Ho, Grimsey Road, Charles Adams Close and Crown Street are in the work programme for 2021. Cllr Bailey asked if Dinsdale Road could also be assessed for resurfacing which Mr Nichols would action.	Highways
15. ANY OTHER BUSINESS KGA Footpath/Cycle Path Cllr Hill raised the new cycle path that had recently been installed at King Georges Avenue. Mrs Rinder was looking to obtain quotes for white lining and a bollard to prevent vehicles accessing the park. After a short discussion, Cllr Levermore will check with Steve Merry from SCC regarding protocol on white lining and barriers and feedback to Mrs Rinder. Red House Lane Junction Cllr Last raised concerns regarding visibility for pedestrians crossing this junction heading into town. Pedestrians have to physically move into the road to see down Red House Lane, which is a serious safety issue. The hedge which encroaches into the road is privately owned and one suggestion is to report it online for Highways to write to the owner to request it be trimmed back. Cllr Levermore commented that this issue had been raised with Steve Merry when discussing the cycle strategy and she will feedback.	SL SL
16. DATE OF NEXT MEETING Date of the next meeting is Tuesday 9 February 2021, 7.00pm.
Meeting closed at 8.51pm

Action

1. PUBLIC FORUM

No questions were raised.

2. APOLOGIES

No apologies were received.

3. MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD 12 AUGUST 2020

It was proposed by Cllr Hill, seconded by Cllr Bailey and agreed that the minutes were a true record.

4. MATTERS ARISING

Entrance to New Housing Development at Old Gas Works, Carr Avenue – Mrs Rinder confirmed this had been done.

Seaward Avenue Grass Verges – Mrs Rinder will chase up with Flagship the ‘no parking’ signs to be reinstated on the grassed areas.

Dropped Kerb at Lime Tree Avenue – Cllr Harle will contact Flagship again regarding permission for a dropped kerb.

High Street Bus Stop – County Cllr Rainger is still looking into the issues with the low spot at the bus stop where a large rain puddle collects. Mr Nichols will investigate if the carriageway could be levelled perhaps.

Civil Parking Enforcement – Information circulated by Cllr Cooper and a presentation was delivered by Lewis Boudville, ESC Parking Services Manager to the October Council meeting.

Vehicle Parking Sign at Sizewell Beach – Mrs Rinder confirmed a new sign had been installed.

Flooding on Sizewell Gap Road – Cllr Harle sent a report via the online reporting tool.

Byway at Sizewell – County Cllr Ranger advised the large mounds of dirt were on the landowner’s land to stop vehicles parking and to protect the habitat.

Highways

5. PEDESTRIAN CROSSING ON ALDEBURGH ROAD UPDATE

Mr Nichols submitted a scheme commissioning document to the Local Highways Budget (LHB) team on 18 September and Mrs Rinder subsequently sent further details, including photos, to confirm the exact location of the proposed crossing on 13 October. Unfortunately, we are still waiting on the quote for the pedestrian and road traffic surveys and Mr Nichols will follow this up. It was also noted the surveys to be carried out when the schools are open as this is the busiest time. County Cllr Rainger had previously agreed to support some of the cost of this study from his Highways budget.

Highways

6. HIGH STREET BUS STOP UPDATE

Mr Nichols confirmed the order has been placed for bus stop white line markings. County Cllr Rainger agreed to fund the cost from his Highways budget, estimate of £900-£1,100. The timeline is 14 weeks from order so it is hoped this will be completed by early January.

7. SIGNS TO ST MARGARET’S CHURCH UPDATE

Mr Nichols confirmed the design is complete and the order raised for 2 signs on Station Road and Park Hill with completion by the end of the year.

8. REVIEW OF SAFETY ISSUES AT STATION ROAD CROSSING

Cllr Hill suggested revisiting the original report from February 2018 on traffic calming measures at the crossing. Mrs Rinder will add this to the February agenda for discussion and circulate the report. Cllr Ginger had raised concerns previously regarding the height of the chevron sign and Mr Nichols confirmed it was designed so the sign could be clearly seen by motorists going up the hill approaching the level crossing. Cllr Bailey also felt it was too high and Mr Nichols agreed to ask if it could be lowered.

Highways

9. RESPONSIBILITY FOR MUD ON THE ROAD AT SAXMUNDHAM ROAD HOUSING DEVELOPMENT

Cllr Hill raised concerns regarding mud on the road at the new housing development on Saxmundham Road and who was responsible. She also reported the footpath was muddy from vehicles crossing. County Cllr Rainger advised the responsibility lies with the developer and should be part of their planning statement to clear up any mud on the highway. Mrs Rinder will raise with ESC Planning. Cllr Hill also mentioned people having to walk in the road to avoid the muddy footpath. Mrs Rinder will raise this with the Planning team as well. Mr Nichols suggested reporting online to Highways as a safety issue so an Engineer can investigate and take necessary action on clearing the mud and recharging the developer.

10. SPEED SURVEY RESULTS IN RED HOUSE LANE

County Cllr Rainger explained a resident living in Red House Lane had complained to him about cars speeding excessively along this road so he asked for a speed survey to be carried out. The results of the week long survey revealed that the mean average speed was 26mph. After further discussion it was proposed by Cllr Harle, seconded by Cllr Ginger to identify a speed sign site in Red House Lane but this was not carried. It was therefore agreed to take no further action and Mrs Rinder will respond to the resident.

11. HAYLINGS ROAD/KINGS ROAD DRAINAGE GULLEYS

Cllr Harle again reported vegetation in the gulleys and misplaced covers in Kings Road. Cllr Last had taken photos which were forwarded to Mr Nichols. Mr Nichols confirmed the dislodged drain covers would be repaired/replaced within 10 days and would check when the gulley cleansing was due. A future works order to replace the full length of drains had been submitted but no timeframe was given due to budget constraints. Mr Nichols advised to report any concerns on the reporting tool.

Highways

12. ASHFIELD DRIVE RESURFACING

Mr Nichols advised Ashfield Drive resurfacing was in the work programme for April – September 2021.

13. YELLOW LINING AT ENTRANCE TO SIZEWELL POWER STATION

Cllr Harle raised concerns regarding cars parking along the entrance to the Power Station making visibility leaving the site difficult and he felt double yellow lining should be considered. Cllr Harle was unsure if the Power Station supported the idea of yellow lining but said bollards had been placed along the road which had improved matters. After some discussion Cllr Harle will speak to the site management team for their views. It was noted parking hazards can be reported on the ESC website on parking services.

14. FUTURE PLANNED HIGHWAYS WORKS

Mr Nichols advised surface dressing for King Edward Road, Ashfield Drive, Garrett Crescent, Minden Drive, Eastward [poiu Ho, Grimsey Road, Charles Adams Close and Crown Street are in the work programme for 2021. Cllr Bailey asked if Dinsdale Road could also be assessed for resurfacing which Mr Nichols would action.

Highways

15. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

KGA Footpath/Cycle Path

Cllr Hill raised the new cycle path that had recently been installed at King Georges Avenue. Mrs Rinder was looking to obtain quotes for white lining and a bollard to prevent vehicles accessing the park. After a short discussion, Cllr Levermore will check with Steve Merry from SCC regarding protocol on white lining and barriers and feedback to Mrs Rinder.

Red House Lane Junction

Cllr Last raised concerns regarding visibility for pedestrians crossing this junction heading into town. Pedestrians have to physically move into the road to see down Red House Lane, which is a serious safety issue. The hedge which encroaches into the road is privately owned and one suggestion is to report it online for Highways to write to the owner to request it be trimmed back. Cllr Levermore commented that this issue had been raised with Steve Merry when discussing the cycle strategy and she will feedback.

16. DATE OF NEXT MEETING

Date of the next meeting is Tuesday 9 February 2021, 7.00pm.

Meeting closed at 8.51pm