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MINUTES OF THE HIGHWAYS COMMITTEE MEETING
HELD ON TUESDAY 23rd MARCH 2010Present: Cllr Winney Cllr M Jones Cllr S Jones
Cllr Mumford Cllr Cusack
In attendance (part): Cllr Wardle, 3 members of the public Before the meeting officially started, Cllr Winney invited members of the public to speak. Cllr Wardle reviewed the residents meeting held on 15th March 2010: There was absolute agreement that the residents did not want an imposition of a one hour parking restriction and that the proposed signage would be visually detrimental to the town. There were however, differing opinions to the solution. Some would like no restrictions at all, and others would be in favour of some restriction. It was suggested that no signs are erected until there has been further consultation. A letter from the residents is to be sent to Fairford Town Council, Gloucestershire County Council and Cotswold District Council. Cllr Winney highlighted that parking in the High Street and Market Place is of concern to all residents in Fairford, not just those that live along these roads. Opinion from the whole of the town would be useful in making a decision. One resident reported that she had lived on High Street for 18 months and had never had a problem with parking. Parking Restrictions would be a tragedy and have a negative impact on businesses in the town. It would help if business employees parked in the town car park to free up spaces along the High Street and Market Place. The current car park surface is not very user friendly. Cllr Cusack arrived. A business owner advised that a one hour restriction was not workable for either residents or businesses. The proposed erection of 13 signs was ridiculous. It was suggested that the Town Council has areas of negotiation ready to discuss with County Highways, for example a 2 hour limit from Monday to Friday. Cllr Cusack supported what had been said and suggested the parking restrictions should be challenged. H94 Declarations of Interest
Cllr Cusack declared a prejudicial interest in item H96 H95 To confirm the Minutes of Previous Meetings held on 26th January 2010
The minutes were amended to remove the grant total in item H86. Following this amendment, it was RESOLVED to sign the minutes of the meeting held on 26th January 2010 (pp133-135 09/10) as a true and accurate record of the proceedings. H96 Parking in High Street/Market Place
Cllrs Cusack and Wardle left the room i. To receive feedback from residents meeting on 15th March 2010
The feedback was received prior to the meeting.
ii. To receive feedback from letter sent to residents regarding Residents Parking Permits
Item deferred until issues over Parking Regulations have been resolved.
iii. To discuss GCC proposals for signage for parking regulations
A number of comments were made during discussion:
• Some form is restriction is needed as it can be difficult to park to use facilities.
• Prior to the original restrictions, parking used to be more difficult than today. • Suggestion that restrictions should only be imposed between the Croft Alley junction and A417, as this is where most of the businesses are located.
• Restrictions need to be enforced to be a deterrent, otherwise a waste of time.
• Even though the existing signs are not enforceable, they act as a deterrent and increase turnover of parking
• A referendum from the whole town should be carried out via the next newsletter
• GCC should be asked to provide evidence of need – a survey of parking with the current signage and one without.
• GCC is planning a survey of parking restrictions in Market Towns in 2011 It was agreed to request to GCC that the proposed parking signage is put on hold whilst further information is gathered.
ACTION: Item to go on Full Council agenda It was RESOLVED to withdraw the three Listed Building Applications for parking regulations until the current issues have been resolved. (3 in favour, 1 objection, 1 abstention) iv. To discuss whether to apply for a Residents Parking Scheme
Item deferred until issues over Parking Regulations have been resolved. Cllr Cusack returned to the meeting. Cllr Wardle and members of the public left the meeting. H97 Review of Matters Arising from Previous minutes:
• No 74 diversion to Horcott: No response to date on the amount of financial contribution required to divert the 74 bus to Horcott. ACTION: The Clerk to chase Swindon Borough Council and also investigate APL bus routes as possible diversions to Horcott
• Renaming of Blackford Road: Fairford Preservation Trust has asked CDC for road signage for Welsh Way to be erected as there are currently no signs indicating the road name.
• Footpath link from Burdocks to Horcott Lake: No response to date.
• Grass cutting: The Clerk could not find written record of the option to renew a one year contract if FTC is happy with the work. ACTION: Recommendation to go to Full Council that if a Contractor is on a one year contract with FTC and the Town Council is happy with the price and quality of the work, the contract can be renewed for a further year without going out to tender.
• 30mph extension along Coronation St: This work has been completed. H98 To receive income and expenditure for Highways committee
The Churchyard grass cutting has gone slightly over budget, but the verge and Walnut Tree Field cutting is well within budget.
The committee were happy with the figures. CHURCHYARD/BURIAL GROUND
H99 To discuss memorial stone applications
There have been a number of black memorial headstones erected in the New Burial Ground. It was agreed that as the precedent has been set, and there are only about 20 spaces left, it is not worth changing the regulations at this point. It is something to bear in mind when the next burial ground is up and running. H100 To discuss maintenance of New Burial Ground
The grass had its first cut of the season today. There has also been some recent levelling work to graves and general tidying of the burial ground.
There is concern with the wall between Fairford House and the New Burial Ground. A length of wall further towards the Church has collapsed and there is the risk this could also happen into the New Burial Ground. It is planned to extend cremations by the wall at some point so stability needs to be checked.
ACTION: Councillors to go and look at the wall and the Clerk to clarify ownership. HIGHWAYS
H101 To discuss way forward with lighting of Horcott path
It was RESOLVED to put a halt on the project to light the footpath between Horcott Notice Board and Dilly’s Bridge. (3 in favour, 1 abstention & 1 objection)
ACTION: Recommendation to go to Full Council H102 To review situation to date with new street light on Hatherop Lane
Nearby residents have been contacted and have no objections to the proposed light. One has asked for a screen on the house side of the light. A grant application is ready to submit to CDC.
ACTION: Recommendation to go to Finance that this project is continued as a priority. H103 To discuss proposed location of plastic recycling bins outside Fire Station
The committee was in favour of this location. H104 To discuss request for bus shelter at Cirencester Road bus stop
It was agreed not to investigate the possibility of a bus shelter at the Cirencester Road bus stop as there is a shelter next to Coln House School, which is only a short walk away. There are also limited funds available at the moment.
If a further Pip’s Field application is submitted, a bus shelter could be requested as a section 106 agreement. H105 To discuss concerns raised by resident (at Full council) about parking along Mount Pleasant
The road surface at Mount Pleasant is very poor and parked cars make it a narrow stretch. There is a wide pavement in this area and it was suggested indents are made to create parking spaces.
ACTION: Cllr Winney to arrange a site meeting with Paul Swift, Highways rep and the Clerk to write to resident to inform of progress. H106 The Croft
i. To discuss suggestion from resident (at Full council) to close access to The Croft from High Street: It was agreed that the one way system for Croft Alley worked successfully as it is.
ii. To discuss request from resident to kerb grass verges in The Croft to protect from
Damage: This work is already on the County Highways list for action.
ACTION: The Clerk to inform resident. FOOTPATHS
H107 To discuss Multi Use Path from Fairford/Lechlade Railway Track
The blue route was suggested as the most suitable solution as access is already possible. The red route is part of the Lake 104 proposals, so may become viable in the future.
It was thought that when Lake 105 was granted permission, there was an agreement to put money into a cycle path. ACTION: The Clerk to check.
It was queried whether the local landowners had been approached. ACTION: Cllr S Jones to check with the Lechlade Footpaths committee. H108 Items the Chair considers urgent:
Cllr Winney has checked on the shrub planting work at St Mary’s Drive and all looks OK.
Building work is taking place next to Quarry Alley and the fence location being changed. CDC is checking the deeds to clarify the site boundary. There is still some reinstatement work needed along the River Walk.
ACTION: The Clerk to check when this is to be completed.
There will need to be access to the River Walk other than via the kissing gate as this is not passable for wheelchairs and buggies. H109 Date of next meeting – Tuesday 25th May 2010
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