ECCLESHALL PARISH COUNCIL – HIGHWAYS AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE – Wednesday, October 1^st 2025

 DRAFT

A meeting of the Highways and Transport Committee was held on Wednesday, Oct 1^st 2025, at Eccleshall Community Centre at 8.00pm, following a meeting of the Planning Committee.

Present were:-

Councillor P. Jones (Chair)                              Councillor C. Wilkins

Councillor D. Hill                                                Councillor R. Langford

Councillor G. Dale                                              Councillor M. Gosling

Councillor C. Ryan-Bloor

Mrs S. J. Worden (Clerk)

No members of the public.

1).    Apologies:-

Apologies were received from Cllrs. Perren, Reid and Taylor.

2).   Minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday, July 2^nd, 2025:

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

3).   Staffordshire County Council Highways:

• To consider any new issues arising for reporting or items awaiting response:
  • Non urgent work orders have been raised by the County Council in response to reports for the pothole in the Church Street pavement, the blocked drain by the post office and a pothole on Small Lane
  • The Clerk will chase up the request for the Borough Council large street sweeper to sweep the B5026 from the Cricket club up through Croxton, before the accumulated silt blocks the drains.
• Reporting of obsolete roadwork signage:

It was noted that left over signage can be reported online to highways for collection

• Removal of out-of-date road signage:

Old signage that is no longer relevant can also be reported via the County Council online system.

It was queried whose responsibility it is to ensure hedges do not obscure signage. It was noted that landowners are responsible for cutting their respective hedges and ensuring this does not happen.

4).   Speed indication device reports:

Members received and discussed the latest reports for the speed devices.

The use of two devices at Croxton are working positively to reduce vehicular speeds. There are a number of recommendations to consider, to include rota changes to increase time at locations where there are more vehicles travelling over the speed limits/had recent accidents related to speeding, and assessing if the Newport Road unit can be rotated to face traffic leaving Eccleshall to encourage lower speeds in that direction.

It was resolved to accept the report with amendments as seen fit by Clerk and Cllr Reid, and to delegate the decision of changes to the Clerk in consultation with Cllr Reid.

5).   Feedback from the Bus Round Table meeting

Members received the meeting notes from the Bus Round Table meeting in July attended by Cllr. Hill, bus company representatives, and hosted by Leigh Ingham. There have been no further updates.

6).  To consider potential outcomes from the County Council plan to survey the High Street layout

County Cllr. Pert advised at the last full council meeting that he has requested a survey of the High Street to identify constraints and if any potential solutions to the traffic congestion are suggested, but this would not include any reducing in parking spaces. Concerns were raised that potential changes could be to the detriment to the character of the High Street and the pedestrians and local businesses. It was observed that some of the overhanging buildings would limit options, and any loss of pavement space would impact the bloom planters. Opening up the street could also result in speeding issues. On a positive note, the survey could also conclude that the area is unable to support increased traffic flow and be provided as supporting evidence in planning application responses.

7).   Correspondence

• Resident correspondence regarding speeding vehicles and litter along Lodge Lane:

The Clerk advised the resident to report the litter to Streetscene to undertake a litter pick – a formal community team activity would not be possible due to a lack of pavement. It was noted that as with many rural lanes, speeding vehicles can be an issue that is hard to mitigate against.

• Resident correspondence regarding recent accidents in Slindon and speeding:

There have been several recent accidents along this stretch of road, reported by residents  to County Cllr. Pert and the parish council. County Cllr. Pert has advised the residents to keep a log of all incidents to help build up an evidence portfolio. He also advised there is no funding available to deliver a fixed average speed camera setup as seen in Woodseaves. The Clerk has asked for the PCSO team to attend with the speed radar gun.

• Resident correspondence regarding speeding on Castle Street and Swynnerton Road by the prison:

The concerns were noted by the council, but unfortunately the resident suggestion that measures could be funded by developers is unlikely as the section 106 funding has to be agreed prior to the planning approval. The Clerk has again highlighted this area to the local PCSO for a speed check.

8).   To consider future activities and agree a budget for the financial year 2026/27

This year’s budget included the provision for an additional SID at Croxton, which was delivered. The council has also committed to contribute towards speed reduction measures at Broughton, and it was agreed to ringfence the agreed £3,750 within an earmarked reserve as the delivery date is not confirmed. The main budget was agreed at £2,500.

9).   Items for the next meeting

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

10).  Date of next meeting:- 7^th January 2026, following a meeting of the planning committee.

There being no further business, the Chairman declared the meeting closed at 9.00pm.