Minutes of the Highways Committee Meeting

9 November 2021, 7.00pm

Held in the Community Centre, King Georges Avenue, Leiston

Present: Cllr John Last BEM (Chairman)

Cllr Lesley Hill

Cllr David Bailey

Cllr Nicky Corbett

Mr Peter Sparrow – Suffolk Highways

Mrs Caroline Rinder (Town Clerk)

	Action
1. PUBLIC FORUM No members of the public were in attendance.
2. APOLOGIES Apologies were received from County Cllr Haworth-Culf, Cllr Harle, Cllr Levermore and Cllr Ginger.
3. MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD 25 AUGUST 2021 It was proposed by Cllr Bailey, seconded by Cllr Hill and agreed that the minutes were a true record.
4. MATTERS ARISING High Street Bus Stop Update – These works are now complete. Footpath 8 Stocks Fair Fence Line – Mrs Rinder has chased for an update on the footpath encroachment and the planning permissions for the structure and fencing elements with ESC Planning Enforcement but still awaiting a response. Mrs Rinder will chase again. Flooding Issues on the B1119 Saxmundham Road Update – Mr Sparrow advised the Drainage Team are working on the scheme to deliver in 2022/23 and will update with further details in due course. Review of Safety Issues at Station Road Crossing – Mr Sparrow will get a timeline on when the three ‘slow’ markings will be renewed and the two warning signs changed over (at Suffolk Highways expense). Lover’s Lane Speed Limit – Mr Sparrow advised the temporary speed limit signs have been removed. The ‘no right turn’ will be made permanent and a traffic order will be put in place and appropriate signage will be installed once agreed. Leiston Leisure Centre Entrance – Mrs Rinder was advised by ESC that there was no need for a ‘stop’ sign because traffic flows are low and visibility is good. There was no support for yellow lining from ESC. It was agreed to monitor this situation. Sizewell Cycle Path – Mr Sparrow explained unless the vegetation is affecting the highway, no action will be taken. The path has since been cleared by a volunteer. Minden Drive – Cllr Bailey confirmed the water leak has been repaired and Mr Sparrow advised the road resurfacing will be scheduled next year. St Margaret’s Crescent – Mr Sparrow took advice from the Speed and Safety team who suggested no extra mitigation is required as this is a residential area and drivers would be expected to drive with extra caution. This will be reviewed when necessary in light of the proposed housing development.	CR Highways Highways
5. PEDESTRIAN CROSSING ON ALDEBURGH ROAD UPDATE Mrs Rinder confirmed the speed survey had been completed in September and Mr Sparrow explained that the report confirmed the 85^th percentile was below 30mph, meaning we can proceed to the next stage for a detailed design to be completed with costings. Once agreed, there will be a 14 week lead time for delivery of the scheme. Mr Sparrow will update in due course.	Highways
6. SEAWARD AVENUE PARKING ISSUES Mr Sparrow advised the suggested long laybys either side of Arnhem Road junction were not viable. The Speed and Safety Team would not support this proposal due to the visibility splay for motorists at that junction with cars parked in the laybys and the two street lights cannot be moved. However, the build-out area opposite could be removed to allow parking for 3 or 4 vehicles and that street light could be moved. Councillors felt that something does need to be done along that road to facilitate more parking and Mr Sparrow will investigate costs for removing the build out and report back.	Highways
7. RED HOUSE LANE JUNCTION Mr Sparrow is still awaiting a response from the Asset Manager regarding the request for an estimate to reconfigure the junction to allow buses to negotiate the entrance when turning in/out and allow better visibility for pedestrians on safety grounds. Mr Sparrow will chase and report back in due course.	Highways
8. ALDEBURGH ROAD – THREE UTILITY ROAD COVERS Mr Sparrow confirmed that on investigation, 2 of these road covers belonged to SCC as surface drainage covers and has put in a report to get these replaced. The third cover at number 28 belongs to Anglian Water and they have agreed to repair/replace. Cllr Bailey felt the response he received from Highways was not helpful just advising the matter was passed to the utility company. Mr Sparrow said this was an exceptional incident and apologised for the lack of correct communication.	Highways
9. FUTURE PLANNED HIGHWAYS WORKS No further works planned at present.
10. ANY OTHER BUSINESS Kings Road Works Cllr Corbett asked why no notification had been given for the road works in Kings Road. Mr Sparrow advised this was for sewerage connections to the new housing development and letters should have been sent to all properties. SCC can fine developers/companies if this is not done and Cllr Corbett will report the fact she did not receive a letter on the reporting tool for Highways to take action. Kings Road Gulleys Cllr Corbett raised concerns regarding the gulleys in Kings Road, where some covers are broken. Mr Sparrow confirmed these are routinely checked and advised Cllr Corbett to report any issues on the reporting tool. Flooding at the Parrot and Punchbowl Cllr Last mentioned there was recent flooding again at the pub near the bus stop and asked if it could be from the works completed there last year. Mr Sparrow suggested taking a photo and reporting online if it happens again. Abbey Road/Park Hill Road Surface Mrs Rinder reported, on behalf of Cllr Levermore, the road surfaces on Park Hill and Abbey Road again (near the new housing development) and mentioned that Cllr Levermore had also reported them online. Mr Sparrow advised these roads are inspected every 3 months for safety but Highways will action the reports.	NC NC ALL
11. DATE OF NEXT MEETING Date of the next meeting is Tuesday 15 February 2022, 7.00pm.
Meeting closed at 8.10pm

Action

1. PUBLIC FORUM

No members of the public were in attendance.

2. APOLOGIES

Apologies were received from County Cllr Haworth-Culf, Cllr Harle, Cllr Levermore and Cllr Ginger.

3. MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD 25 AUGUST 2021

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

4. MATTERS ARISING

High Street Bus Stop Update – These works are now complete.

Footpath 8 Stocks Fair Fence Line – Mrs Rinder has chased for an update on the footpath encroachment and the planning permissions for the structure and fencing elements with ESC Planning Enforcement but still awaiting a response. Mrs Rinder will chase again.

Flooding Issues on the B1119 Saxmundham Road Update – Mr Sparrow advised the Drainage Team are working on the scheme to deliver in 2022/23 and will update with further details in due course.

Review of Safety Issues at Station Road Crossing – Mr Sparrow will get a timeline on when the three ‘slow’ markings will be renewed and the two warning signs changed over (at Suffolk Highways expense).

Lover’s Lane Speed Limit – Mr Sparrow advised the temporary speed limit signs have been removed. The ‘no right turn’ will be made permanent and a traffic order will be put in place and appropriate signage will be installed once agreed.

Leiston Leisure Centre Entrance – Mrs Rinder was advised by ESC that there was no need for a ‘stop’ sign because traffic flows are low and visibility is good. There was no support for yellow lining from ESC. It was agreed to monitor this situation.

Sizewell Cycle Path – Mr Sparrow explained unless the vegetation is affecting the highway, no action will be taken. The path has since been cleared by a volunteer.

Minden Drive – Cllr Bailey confirmed the water leak has been repaired and Mr Sparrow advised the road resurfacing will be scheduled next year.

St Margaret’s Crescent – Mr Sparrow took advice from the Speed and Safety team who suggested no extra mitigation is required as this is a residential area and drivers would be expected to drive with extra caution. This will be reviewed when necessary in light of the proposed housing development.

Highways

5. PEDESTRIAN CROSSING ON ALDEBURGH ROAD UPDATE

Mrs Rinder confirmed the speed survey had been completed in September and Mr Sparrow explained that the report confirmed the 85^th percentile was below 30mph, meaning we can proceed to the next stage for a detailed design to be completed with costings. Once agreed, there will be a 14 week lead time for delivery of the scheme. Mr Sparrow will update in due course.

Highways

6. SEAWARD AVENUE PARKING ISSUES

Mr Sparrow advised the suggested long laybys either side of Arnhem Road junction were not viable. The Speed and Safety Team would not support this proposal due to the visibility splay for motorists at that junction with cars parked in the laybys and the two street lights cannot be moved. However, the build-out area opposite could be removed to allow parking for 3 or 4 vehicles and that street light could be moved. Councillors felt that something does need to be done along that road to facilitate more parking and Mr Sparrow will investigate costs for removing the build out and report back.

Highways

7. RED HOUSE LANE JUNCTION

Mr Sparrow is still awaiting a response from the Asset Manager regarding the request for an estimate to reconfigure the junction to allow buses to negotiate the entrance when turning in/out and allow better visibility for pedestrians on safety grounds. Mr Sparrow will chase and report back in due course.

Highways

8. ALDEBURGH ROAD – THREE UTILITY ROAD COVERS

Mr Sparrow confirmed that on investigation, 2 of these road covers belonged to SCC as surface drainage covers and has put in a report to get these replaced. The third cover at number 28 belongs to Anglian Water and they have agreed to repair/replace. Cllr Bailey felt the response he received from Highways was not helpful just advising the matter was passed to the utility company. Mr Sparrow said this was an exceptional incident and apologised for the lack of correct communication.

Highways

9. FUTURE PLANNED HIGHWAYS WORKS

No further works planned at present.

10. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Kings Road Works

Cllr Corbett asked why no notification had been given for the road works in Kings Road. Mr Sparrow advised this was for sewerage connections to the new housing development and letters should have been sent to all properties. SCC can fine developers/companies if this is not done and Cllr Corbett will report the fact she did not receive a letter on the reporting tool for Highways to take action.

Kings Road Gulleys

Cllr Corbett raised concerns regarding the gulleys in Kings Road, where some covers are broken. Mr Sparrow confirmed these are routinely checked and advised Cllr Corbett to report any issues on the reporting tool.

Flooding at the Parrot and Punchbowl

Cllr Last mentioned there was recent flooding again at the pub near the bus stop and asked if it could be from the works completed there last year. Mr Sparrow suggested taking a photo and reporting online if it happens again.

Abbey Road/Park Hill Road Surface

Mrs Rinder reported, on behalf of Cllr Levermore, the road surfaces on Park Hill and Abbey Road again (near the new housing development) and mentioned that Cllr Levermore had also reported them online. Mr Sparrow advised these roads are inspected every 3 months for safety but Highways will action the reports.

ALL

11. DATE OF NEXT MEETING

Date of the next meeting is Tuesday 15 February 2022, 7.00pm.

Meeting closed at 8.10pm