Minutes of Road Safety Committee meeting 30 January 2006 held in the Mawson Room, Winscombe Community Centre.

 

  1. Apologies. Gerald Lloyd. Pru Witter. Karren Wynne. Chris Sampson.
  2. Present. Steve Bridges. Archie Forbes. Keith Symons.  Anne Harley (District Councillor).                9 members of the public.
  3. Previous minutes approved. Proposed AF. Seconded KS.
  4. Matters arising
    1. Sandmead Lane/Greenhill Road. David Bailey NS Highways is looking into the possibility of a feasibility study but had a staff shortage problem. SB would watch progress (if any)
    2. All other items were included in the agenda.
  5. Public Participation.
    1. Mr John Bushnall produced further pictures of the signage at Sidcot Gate to show that no action had been taken in 6 months to rectify the problems. Chairman would write to NS with the new evidence.
    2. Mrs Janet Elmer and Mrs Carol Pollard expressed strong views about the parking of cars in Woodborough Drive which in their opinion are creating an obstruction and safety problem. They were also concerned with the number of long term (Village Workers) who use the public car parks to park all day. SB explained the car parking was not the remit of the RS Committee. Anne Harley disagreed and thought it was a safety problem. All agreed that visitors and workers should not be deterred from coming to Winscombe. SB thought that NS were considering charging for all car parks in NS. Watch this space. Concern was expressed about the use of the car park by the garage. SB explained that he had spoken to Ian Studley and he generally only parks cars that are awaiting collection after an MOT. SB thought this was reasonable.
    3. Mr Bill Cordell expressed concern about cars parking outside the Fish Bar as these restrict vehicles turning out of Woodborough Drive. Anne Harley expressed a similar view.

 

  1. Vehicle Activated Signs. SB reported that he was still chasing Steve Blackmore (Highways) to get the posts fitted. It would appear that Cllr Tony Lake’s efforts have also been ignored. This has been ongoing for 18 months. After the Five Village Meeting, all correspondence was forward to Cllr John Crockford-Harley (The new member for Strategic Development at NS). He has replied that he is investigating the situation.
  2. Community Speed Watch. Mr Bill Cordell gave a quick report on the CSW activities. Over the past 8 months some 556 motorists have been caught speeding in the parish at various locations. He was still very short of volunteers but the few he has are now going out approx once /twice  week. On occasions PC Church has accompanied them and on one occasion when the police were using their own equipment this lead to a prosecution. KS questioned the worth of the CSW As the monthly figures do not appear to be reducing. SB said some deterrent is better than none.
  3. Woodborough Road Yellow Line. Despite the full Parish Council voting against the RS Committee to have Yellow Lines in Woodborough Road, considering the change of circumstances since the last survey 6 years ago and after the previous discussion by members of the public, it was proposed by SB and seconded by AF and against by KS that a sub committee be formed to conduct a new survey of all and only the residents of Woodborough Drive to find out the possible way ahead. (subsequently SB, GLl, Mrs Pollard & Mrs Elmer have agreed to form this sub-committee).
  4. Sandmead/Greenhill Road. See public participation.
  5. Dunster Court Pedestrian Crossing. SB reported. Nov 05 PC Church’s survey sent to NS (Helen MacBean). 10 Jan 06 David Bailey NS passed info to David Malpass NS to conduct a feasibility study. No progress as shortage of staff prevents action. Recruiting in place for staff by April 06. Chances of success for crossing are slim owing to previous studies and priority allocation of funding.
  6. Five Villages Update. All villages agreed that continued pressure must be applied to drive a recognition through that there is a problem with vehicles in our area and it must be recognized in the various studies and the GBST Study.
  7. Letter from Mr. Simon Rees. This was read to the committee along with the reply explaining why no action could be taken.
  8. NS Freight Working Group. SB explained the protracted workings of this group and also that this was the first that anyone in the are had heard of the closure of Banwell from 13 March to 6 May. Anne Harley apologized on behalf of NS for the delay in informing local people, but that a press release was in the process of being produced. (Received 30 Jan 06).
  9. AOB None.
  10. Date of next meeting. Monday 3 April 2006.