Minutes of the Highways Committee Meeting

8 November 2022, 7.00pm

Held in the Community Centre, King Georges Avenue, Leiston

Present: Cllr John Last BEM (Chairman)

Cllr Lesley Hill (LH)

Cllr David Bailey (DB)

Cllr Phil Harle (PH)

Cllr Selena Levermore (SL)

Ms Helen Greengrass (TC - Town Clerk)

		Action
1. PUBLIC FORUM No members of the public were in attendance.
2. APOLOGIES Apologies were received from Cllr T.J Haworth-Culf, Cllr Corbett and Mr Wayne Saunders. Chairman Cllr Last expressed disappointment at the lack of representation from Highways at the meeting. Whilst he was pleased to hear there had been a pre-meeting with the new Town Clerk it is important that there is regular representation from Highways. Action: Town Clerk to enquire if a different time of day/evening might suit Highways better.	TC
3. MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD 09 AUG 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 – Investigation ongoing by East Suffolk and Suffolk County Council. Ongoing. Flooding Issues on the B1119 Saxmundham Road Update – Mr Saunders had confirmed in pre-meeting with Town Clerk that this work was still planned this financial year, but no date yet is confirmed. Ongoing. Recycling Centre Right Turn – This matter is considered resolved.	All Highways
5. PEDESTRIAN CROSSING ON ALDEBURGH ROAD UPDATE The Town Clerk reported that Mr Saunders had confirmed that the Design Work was almost completed with only the electrical design outstanding. Following receipt of the electrical design then a costed project would come forward. Meeting noted - July 2021 Feasibility study - May 2022 Design fee paid on 3 May - Aug 2022 Mr Sparrow reported it is with Transport Strategy for sign off and he was 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. Cllr Hill expressed her disappointment that this project has been ongoing for nearly 5 years. Chairman, Cllr Last asked the meeting to record no real progress. Action: Town Clerk to escalate the matter to Cllr T J Haworth Culf noting that costs will have now escalated for a project that should have been completed by now. Imperative that progress be made sufficient for the 6^th December 2022 Full Council Meeting to approve design and cost.	Highways TC
6. SEAWARD AVENUE PARKING ISSUES The Town Clerk reported that Mr Saunders confirmed an invoice would be forthcoming this week. He apologised for the delay saying they had been waiting on confirmation of works on the other side of the road. Final cost should be below £32k as we were no longer removing the fire hydrant. Cllr Levermore commented that if the matter is sitting with the Transport Strategy then we should raise it with Steve Merry. Meeting Noted Aug 2022 provisional estimate of £32,000 out of CIL reserve for this project the creation of 3/4 parking spaces on this buildout. Chairman, Cllr Last asked the meeting to record no progress. Action: Town Clerk to escalate as per item 5.	Highways TC
7. RED HOUSE LANE JUNCTION The Town Clerk reported that Mr Saunders had confirmed that Highways land approx. 1-1.5 metre of land and they could take the hedge out and replace with a small fence. He had asked if the owners of the two properties (not noted for confidentiality purposes) behind the hedge could be contacted by LTC? Members noted that one property is due to be developed and would prefer Highways to resolve the matter. Meeting Noted Pre Aug 2022 History – At the time of the development the work was incorrectly completed which Highways had accepted they were at fault. LTC are requesting that the needs of the Junction be properly scoped for safety purposes regarding pedestrian visibility. Chairman, Cllr Last asked the meeting to record no progress. Action: Town Clerk to escalate as per item 5. Action: Town Clerk to visit site with Cllr Levermore to better understand the issue.	TC
8. SPEEDING ISSUES AT HIGHBURY COTTAGES Saxmundham Road has been identified as problem area and police are now monitoring. Action: Cllr Levermore will follow up with the resident who had previously reported the speeding issues within Buckton Place to see if this was still the case. Cllr last asked the meeting to record a conclusion to this item and suggested a future agenda item be Speeding Issues generally. Speeding Issues On this matter it was noted that SCC has agreed use of speed cameras that we can borrow to monitor any problem areas. Action: Cllr Hill will investigate with Road Safety Team whether we can still borrow the speed cameras.	SL LH
9. PEDESTRIAN CROSSING POINT AT BRIDLEWAY19 (SIZEWELL END) The Town Clerk reported that Mr Saunders had confirmed that the sign is within the required distance parameters and is sited with optimum visibility. If LTC wanted to put an extra sign it would be at LTC’s expense. He also confirmed that an enforcement letter had been sent to the landowner to keep vegetation clear. Cllr Bailey asked the meeting to record his concern that this crossing remains a concern considering anticipated increase in traffic linked to SZC. However, he accepts that Highways have completed an assessment and that the matter is therefore closed.
10. SIZEWELL B POWER STATION – PARKING ON BOTH SIDES OF CARRIAGEWAY The Town Clerk reported that Mr Saunders had confirmed that a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) would be required and could be considered later with other TROs. Cllr Baily reiterated his concern that this matter poses safety concerns and a number of residents have requested that KTC do something about it. If there is no problem, then why are SZB putting cones out? With development expected in the area it is a matter that is likely to get worse, particularly in the summer months. Chairman, Cllr Last asked the meeting to record no progress. Action: Town Clerk to escalate as per item 5 noting that this matter would have benefited from a discussion with a representative attending from Highways. History: Aug 2022 concerns regarding the number of cars (around 20-30) parking along the carriageway outside the power station entrance creating problems for motorists driving to and from the beach. Yellow lining to prevent this happening which could be included in the traffic orders within the Transport Strategy to keep costs down. Cost approx. £7,000-£10,000. 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. Sept This matter was discussed at the Sizewell Beach Management meeting.	TC
11. KINGS ROAD DRAINAGE GULLIES The Town Clerk reported that Mr Saunders had spoken to the drainage teams who confirmed they no longer carry out cyclical cleansing. When the area floods residents and those affected should use the Reporting Tool. Cllr Harle continues to raise the matter on the grounds of Health and safety and danger of cars aquaplaning. Cllr Harle confirmed he had used the Reporting Tool, and had sent photos, and had reference numbers but there has been no response. Cllr Harle would like to continue to lobby Highways to resolve the problem. History: Aug 2022 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. Cllr Last asked the meeting to record no progress. Action: Town Clerk to escalate as per item 5 noting that this matter would have benefited from a discussion with a representative attending from Highways.	Highways
12. ANDREW CLOSE/GARRETT CRESCENT ROAD SURFACE The Town Clerk reported that Mr Saunders had confirmed that the matter was not at an intervention level, but it had been raised and will be looked at next season. Both Cllr Hill and Cllr Levermore had reported the matter via the reporting tool and reiterated the problem was not because of heat but a result of substandard works. History Aug 2022 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. Chairman, Cllr Last asked the meeting to record no progress. Action: Town Clerk to escalate as per item 5 noting that this matter would have benefited from a discussion with a representative attending from Highways.	Highways
13. PARK HILL SIGN, B1122 Cllr Harle explained to the meeting that no one knows where Park Hill as there is no street sign. Could this be rectified? Street signs are an east Suffolk Council matter and a request can be made to instal a new Street Sign. Action: Town Clerk to investigate.	TC
14. HOUSE FOR SALE NOTICEBOARDS, SAXMUNDHAM ROAD AND STATION ROAD Cllr Hill raised the matter of a proliferation of For Sale Boards in Saxmundham Road and Station Road. 17 had been counted in Station Road. These signs are considered a distraction to motorists and do not make a very good impression for Leiston as a town. The Town Clerk reported that Mr Saunders confirmed it was only a Highways matter if the For Sale Bards are on Highways land. Photos would be key to identify this fact. The matter of Hoardings on Abbey Road was raised. Cllr Cooper has previously noted that planning had lapsed and there was nothing that could be done to enforce the removal. Action: Town Clerk to escalate as per item 5 noting that this matter would have benefited from a discussion with a representative attending from Highways Action: Town Clerk to discuss with Steve Milligan at East Suffolk Council.	TC TC
15. FUTURE PLANNED HIGHWAYS WORKS Town Clerk had omitted to ask Wayne Saunders on this matter and will request it by email. Up and coming road notifications are received and have been put on the LTC Facebook Page. Action: Town Clerk to ask Wayne Saunders for any planned Highways Works	TC
16. ANY OTHER BUSINESS Minden Drive Resurfacing and Signage Cllr Harle asked when Minden Drive would be resurfaced as due to the water leak this had been postponed. This matter remains outstanding. On the matter of signage: Cllr Harle has asked residents to give evidence of cars making U Turns but to date none was forthcoming. Brambles, LTA Footpath Cllr Harle asked if brambles could be cut back on the footpath as it was catching on walkers clothing? Cllr Levermore suggested Cllr Harle report it again. Speed Indicators Cllr Last suggested wee invite more Councillors to volunteer for speed indicators as they are a known deterrent. Action Town Clerk – identify where the speed indicators are and if the one at the Council Building can be repaired? Community Self Help Scheme Town Clerk informed meeting of the Community Self-Help Scheme | Suffolk County Council Future Meetings Cllr Hill expressed strong disappointment that the Highways Meeetings are not progressing matters to a staisfactor conclusion and that some projects remain outstanding with no progress from meeting to meeting. Cllr Last asked that the Town Clerk escalate the matter to Cllr T J Hawortth Culf as a matter of urgency and seek to call a meeting with Highways to press ahead on all matters. Action: Town Clerk to write on behalf of the Committee to TJHC.	Agenda next meeting PH TC TC
17. DATE OF NEXT MEETING The Date of the Next meeting planned for 14 February 2023 will be rescheduled.
Meeting closed at 8.35pm