Minutes of the Highways Committee Meeting

9 August 2022, 7.00pm

Held in the Community Centre, King Georges Avenue, Leiston

Present: Cllr John Last BEM (Chairman)

Cllr Lesley Hill

Cllr David Bailey

Cllr Phil Harle

Cllr Selena Levermore

County Cllr TJ Haworth-Culf (until 8pm)

Mr Peter Sparrow – Suffolk Highways

Mr Wayne Saunders – Suffolk Highways

Mrs Caroline Rinder (Town Clerk)

The Committee welcomed Mr Wayne Saunders, the Community Liaison Engineer who will be taking over from Peter Sparrow on 5 September and introductions were made.

	Action
1. PUBLIC FORUM No members of the public were in attendance.
2. APOLOGIES Apologies were received from Cllr Corbett and Cllr Morsley.
3. MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD 10 MAY 2022 It was proposed by Cllr Hill, seconded by Cllr Bailey and agreed that the minutes were a true record.
4. MATTERS ARISING Footpath 8 Stocks Fair Fence Line – Mrs Rinder advised that unfortunately there is no resolution as yet regarding the footpath encroachment or high fencing that has been put up. Planning Enforcement are investigating but are struggling to engage with the landowners. Mrs Rinder will chase this again. Flooding Issues on the B1119 Saxmundham Road Update – Mr Sparrow had thought this scheme was being done alongside the resurfacing work earlier in the year but apparently not. He confirmed the drainage pipes have all been cleared out and it is currently with the Design Team for topographical surveys. No timeline has been given for this project but Mr Sparrow confirmed it will be done in this financial year. Recycling Centre Right Turn – Mrs Rinder contacted the waste management team at SCC in June to request that the website is updated to reflect you can turn right. Cllr Levermore said the signage is still on the roadside and Mr Sparrow will ensure this is removed.	CR Highways Highways
5. PEDESTRIAN CROSSING ON ALDEBURGH ROAD UPDATE Mrs Rinder confirmed payment of the design fee had been paid on 3 May and asked why we are still waiting for the final design and costings. Mr Sparrow reported it is with Transport Strategy for sign off and he is chasing hard to get this to us by 30 August in time for our September Council meeting. This will include the full cost of the project which, once approved by Council, can then be implemented.	Highways
6. SEAWARD AVENUE PARKING ISSUES Mr Sparrow gave a provisional estimate of £32,000 for this project and confirmed the fire hydrant connection on that build out is too high and there would be additional costs to this estimate to change it. It was therefore agreed to leave the fire hydrant alone. It was suggested that this scheme could be done in conjunction with the other proposed parking bays within the Transport Strategy which could offer a saving if the works were done at the same time and would avoid further disruption to residents. Mr Sparrow agreed to speak with Mr Merry on this. After some discussion it was proposed by Cllr Levermore, seconded by Cllr Harle and agreed to recommend to Council we approve the creation of 3/4 parking spaces on this buildout. Mrs Rinder advised the CIL reserve would be used to fund this project.	Highways Council
7. RED HOUSE LANE JUNCTION Further to the safety concerns raised previously regarding the visibility for pedestrians on this junction, Mr Sparrow apologised that he had no news to report and has been chasing the LHB Team regularly for an update. Mr Sparrow will therefore take the matter up with the Team Manager and report back. County Cllr Haworth-Culf would also get involved to try and move this forward.	Highways TJHC
8. SPEEDING ISSUES AT HIGHBURY COTTAGES Mrs Rinder reported that she had requested the speed camera van to visit this site due to the number of complaints received for speeding motorists. A survey was completed by the Road Safety Team (Police) which showed there was a significant speeding problem which met the criteria for setting up an enforcement site along that stretch of road. Once a risk assessment has been completed Mrs Rinder hopes the speed camera van will be visiting!
9. PEDESTRIAN CROSSING POINT AT BRIDLEWAY19 (SIZEWELL END) Cllr Bailey asked if a new sign could be installed (opposite Sizewell Hall Road) closer to the crossing point to give motorists more warning and reported the existing one on the south side is covered by hedging which needs cutting back for the sign to be seen. Mr Sparrow will take a look and see what can be done.	Highways
10. SIZEWELL B POWER STATION – PARKING ON BOTH SIDES OF CARRIAGEWAY Cllr Bailey raised concerns regarding the number of cars (around 20-30) parking along the carriageway outside the power station entrance which creates problems for motorists driving to and from the beach. He suggested having yellow lining to prevent this happening which could be included in the traffic orders within the Transport Strategy to keep costs down. There is a one-off cost between £7,000-£10,000 for this type of regulation. Mrs Rinder had spoken with Niki Rousseau at Sizewell B and she confirmed the Nuclear Police put out bollards to stop motorists parking too close to the site entrance which allows staff enough visibility to leave the site safely. There was no desire to have or pay for any yellow lining. Mr Sparrow agreed to speak with the Speed and Safety team to see if single yellow lining on both sides of the road would be feasible. A single yellow line means restrictions in place between 8am and 6pm so the residents would not be penalised parking outside of those hours. This matter will also be raised at the Beach Management meeting in September.	Highways CR
11. KINGS ROAD DRAINAGE GULLIES Cllr Harle raised concerns that a resident was cleaning out the gullies due to the amount of vegetation in them which is not being addressed by Highways. These are the same issues we report all the time and nothing seems to be done about them. Cllr Harle quoted a report reference regarding the gullies and Mr Sparrow will investigate further. Mr Saunders explained that the drains cannot be included in the usual cleansing rota as they require jetting due to their design. He said to report any flooding issues on the online reporting tool and send photos too which helps show the problems faced by residents.	Highways
12. ANDREW CLOSE/GARRETT CRESCENT ROAD SURFACE Cllr Hill reported that these roads were recently redressed and due to the hot weather, bald patches are appearing leaving black tarmac spaces. Mr Sparrow explained the heat makes the tarmac soft so the stones lift onto the car tyres. He suggested reporting this online so the matter can be checked and redone if necessary.	LH
13. FUTURE PLANNED HIGHWAYS WORKS Mr Sparrow advised no further works are planned at present.
14. ANY OTHER BUSINESS H Marking at Leiston Guide Hut Cllr Levermore commented that when Westward Ho was redressed the ‘H’ marking was not redone but County Cllr Haworth-Culf had intervened to ensure this would be relined. Mr Sparrow said usually you have to apply again and pay the fee which does seem a little unfair. Minden Drive Resurfacing and Signage Cllr Harle asked when Minden Drive would be resurfaced as due to the water leak this had been postponed. Mr Sparrow would check this and report back. Cllr Harle also requested a T-junction sign be installed as a resident who had recently moved in felt lots of cars were driving in and turning around. It was agreed that Cllr Harle would ask the resident to get some evidence of how often this is happening. The Committee thanked Mr Sparrow for his support and guidance over the last 18 months and wished him well for the future.	Highways PH
15. DATE OF NEXT MEETING Date of the next meeting is Tuesday 8 November 2022, 7.00pm.
Meeting closed at 8.25pm

Action

1. PUBLIC FORUM

No members of the public were in attendance.

2. APOLOGIES

Apologies were received from Cllr Corbett and Cllr Morsley.

3. MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD 10 MAY 2022

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

4. MATTERS ARISING

Footpath 8 Stocks Fair Fence Line – Mrs Rinder advised that unfortunately there is no resolution as yet regarding the footpath encroachment or high fencing that has been put up. Planning Enforcement are investigating but are struggling to engage with the landowners. Mrs Rinder will chase this again.

Flooding Issues on the B1119 Saxmundham Road Update – Mr Sparrow had thought this scheme was being done alongside the resurfacing work earlier in the year but apparently not. He confirmed the drainage pipes have all been cleared out and it is currently with the Design Team for topographical surveys. No timeline has been given for this project but Mr Sparrow confirmed it will be done in this financial year.

Recycling Centre Right Turn – Mrs Rinder contacted the waste management team at SCC in June to request that the website is updated to reflect you can turn right. Cllr Levermore said the signage is still on the roadside and Mr Sparrow will ensure this is removed.

Highways

5. PEDESTRIAN CROSSING ON ALDEBURGH ROAD UPDATE

Mrs Rinder confirmed payment of the design fee had been paid on 3 May and asked why we are still waiting for the final design and costings. Mr Sparrow reported it is with Transport Strategy for sign off and he is chasing hard to get this to us by 30 August in time for our September Council meeting. This will include the full cost of the project which, once approved by Council, can then be implemented.

Highways

6. SEAWARD AVENUE PARKING ISSUES

Mr Sparrow gave a provisional estimate of £32,000 for this project and confirmed the fire hydrant connection on that build out is too high and there would be additional costs to this estimate to change it. It was therefore agreed to leave the fire hydrant alone. It was suggested that this scheme could be done in conjunction with the other proposed parking bays within the Transport Strategy which could offer a saving if the works were done at the same time and would avoid further disruption to residents. Mr Sparrow agreed to speak with Mr Merry on this. After some discussion it was proposed by Cllr Levermore, seconded by Cllr Harle and agreed to recommend to Council we approve the creation of 3/4 parking spaces on this buildout. Mrs Rinder advised the CIL reserve would be used to fund this project.

Highways

Council

7. RED HOUSE LANE JUNCTION

Further to the safety concerns raised previously regarding the visibility for pedestrians on this junction, Mr Sparrow apologised that he had no news to report and has been chasing the LHB Team regularly for an update. Mr Sparrow will therefore take the matter up with the Team Manager and report back. County Cllr Haworth-Culf would also get involved to try and move this forward.

Highways

TJHC

8. SPEEDING ISSUES AT HIGHBURY COTTAGES

Mrs Rinder reported that she had requested the speed camera van to visit this site due to the number of complaints received for speeding motorists. A survey was completed by the Road Safety Team (Police) which showed there was a significant speeding problem which met the criteria for setting up an enforcement site along that stretch of road. Once a risk assessment has been completed Mrs Rinder hopes the speed camera van will be visiting!

9. PEDESTRIAN CROSSING POINT AT BRIDLEWAY19 (SIZEWELL END)

Cllr Bailey asked if a new sign could be installed (opposite Sizewell Hall Road) closer to the crossing point to give motorists more warning and reported the existing one on the south side is covered by hedging which needs cutting back for the sign to be seen. Mr Sparrow will take a look and see what can be done.

Highways

10. SIZEWELL B POWER STATION – PARKING ON BOTH SIDES OF CARRIAGEWAY

Cllr Bailey raised concerns regarding the number of cars (around 20-30) parking along the carriageway outside the power station entrance which creates problems for motorists driving to and from the beach. He suggested having yellow lining to prevent this happening which could be included in the traffic orders within the Transport Strategy to keep costs down. There is a one-off cost between £7,000-£10,000 for this type of regulation. Mrs Rinder had spoken with Niki Rousseau at Sizewell B and she confirmed the Nuclear Police put out bollards to stop motorists parking too close to the site entrance which allows staff enough visibility to leave the site safely. There was no desire to have or pay for any yellow lining. Mr Sparrow agreed to speak with the Speed and Safety team to see if single yellow lining on both sides of the road would be feasible. A single yellow line means restrictions in place between 8am and 6pm so the residents would not be penalised parking outside of those hours. This matter will also be raised at the Beach Management meeting in September.

Highways

11. KINGS ROAD DRAINAGE GULLIES

Cllr Harle raised concerns that a resident was cleaning out the gullies due to the amount of vegetation in them which is not being addressed by Highways. These are the same issues we report all the time and nothing seems to be done about them. Cllr Harle quoted a report reference regarding the gullies and Mr Sparrow will investigate further. Mr Saunders explained that the drains cannot be included in the usual cleansing rota as they require jetting due to their design. He said to report any flooding issues on the online reporting tool and send photos too which helps show the problems faced by residents.

Highways

12. ANDREW CLOSE/GARRETT CRESCENT ROAD SURFACE

Cllr Hill reported that these roads were recently redressed and due to the hot weather, bald patches are appearing leaving black tarmac spaces. Mr Sparrow explained the heat makes the tarmac soft so the stones lift onto the car tyres. He suggested reporting this online so the matter can be checked and redone if necessary.

13. FUTURE PLANNED HIGHWAYS WORKS

Mr Sparrow advised no further works are planned at present.

14. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

H Marking at Leiston Guide Hut

Cllr Levermore commented that when Westward Ho was redressed the ‘H’ marking was not redone but County Cllr Haworth-Culf had intervened to ensure this would be relined. Mr Sparrow said usually you have to apply again and pay the fee which does seem a little unfair.

Minden Drive Resurfacing and Signage

Cllr Harle asked when Minden Drive would be resurfaced as due to the water leak this had been postponed. Mr Sparrow would check this and report back. Cllr Harle also requested a T-junction sign be installed as a resident who had recently moved in felt lots of cars were driving in and turning around. It was agreed that Cllr Harle would ask the resident to get some evidence of how often this is happening.

The Committee thanked Mr Sparrow for his support and guidance over the last 18 months and wished him well for the future.

Highways

15. DATE OF NEXT MEETING

Date of the next meeting is Tuesday 8 November 2022, 7.00pm.

Meeting closed at 8.25pm