ECCLESHALL PARISH COUNCIL – TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE – Wednesday, April 2^nd 2025

A meeting of the Traffic Management Committee was held on Wednesday, April 2^nd 2025 at Eccleshall Community Centre at 8.20pm, following a meeting of the Planning Committee.

Present were:-

Councillor P. Jones (Chair)                              Councillor D. Hill

Councillor R. Taylor                                            Councillor R. Langford

Councillor G. Dale                                              Councillor A. Reid

Councillor C. Wilkins                                         Councillor M. Gosling

Councillor S. Perren

Mrs S. J. Worden (Clerk)

Observer: Cllr. D. Hall

No members of the public.

1).    Apologies:-

Apologies were received from Cllr. Ryan-Bloor.

2).   Minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday, January 8^th 2025:

The minutes, which had previously been noted by the Council were agreed and signed.

3).  To provide any updates from the working group in relation to the project to build a vision for our town centre, to include opportunities for provision of additional parking:

Cllr. Reid reported that the parking survey results letter had been distributed to traders.

Members had a lengthy debate on the vision for the town centre, with a focus on the provision of additional parking. There was the expectation that if planning applications are granted, this will further increase pressure on existing provision. The working group has visited the site for sale off Castle Street (the old blacksmiths) but there would need to be a large financial investment, well over £2 million, to repurpose it into a car park, along with access to the necessary professional expertise to facilitate such a large scale, complex project. Frustration was expressed at the difficulties to progress any solutions, and the missed opportunity should a sale be completed on the land in question. Borough/County Council support and investment would be essential, although the working group could look at if there are any other funding streams available. The working group will convene a meeting for further discussion.

4).   Staffordshire County Council Highways meeting feedback:

The Clerk circulated a copy of the meeting notes with the comments received back from the highways liaison officer.

Points discussed included:

• Costs are still pending for a replacement ‘Eccleshall’ sign
• Road sweeping – as the larger sweeper with the ability to dig out the gutter debris was out of order when the sweeping request was actioned, the debris has continued to build up and many major roads need digging out to prevent flooding in the next heavy rainfall.
• Langford provided photos of the condition of Croxton Lane, where a large proportion of the road has completely eroded due to flooding with an ongoing runoff of water down the side of the lane.
• There has been no action/feedback on the requested pavement clearance works at Slindon. Cllr. Hill will report the issue again.
• There is ongoing flooding by Rose Cottage/The Cattery in Croxton, where jetting and further works are urgently needed for permanent resolution and prevent flooding onto the driveway of Rose Cottage.

The Clerk will continue to progress these issues and look to escalate for resolution as soon as possible.

5).   To consider current provision of grit bins and collate a request/justification for additional gritting bins if required:

The Clerk asked for members to advise of any locations (pinned on a map) where a grit bin would be beneficial, and the requests will be collated and sent to the County Council for its consideration.

6).   To consider the current speed indication device programme and whether to purchase an additional unit to allow for monitoring both ends of Croxton and Slindon at the same time

Purchase of an additional unit was considered in the budget planning and has been included in this year’s budget allocation. The current cost of a new unit is £2,189.99. The additional unit will allow for speed assessment from both ends of Croxton and Slindon at the same time to see if vehicles adhere to the limit throughout.  To reduce costs in moving the new unit, it would be scheduled for 6 months in Croxton (facing traffic approaching from Eccleshall) and 6 months in Slindon (north end, on the approach towards Eccleshall). It was resolved to recommend approval to purchase the additional unit and amend the rota accordingly.

7).   Correspondence

No correspondence has been received.

8).   Items for the next meeting

Any items for the next meeting can be forwarded to the Clerk.

9).  Date of next meeting:- 2^nd July 2025, following a meeting of the planning committee

There being no further business, the Chairman declared the meeting closed at 9.20pm.