ECCLESHALL PARISH COUNCIL – TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE – Wednesday, October 6th 2021

A meeting of the Traffic Management Committee was held on Wednesday, October 6^th  2021 at Eccleshall Community Centre, following the Planning committee meeting.

1).   Present were:-

Councillor L. Dale (Chair)                      Councillor J. Leather

Councillor S. Perren                                Councillor R. Langford

Councillor P. Jones                                  Councillor J. Jones

Councillor G. Dale                                    Councillor E. Amos

Mrs S. J. Worden (Clerk)

Apologies:- Apologies were received from Cllr. Wilkins.

2).   Election of Chairman/Vice Chairman

Councillor P. Jones took the Chair and requested nominations for Chairman of the Committee. Councillor L. Dale was nominated and elected as Chair for the ensuing year.

Councillor L. Dale requested nominations for Vice-Chair of the committee and Councillor J. Leather was duly elected.

3).    Minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday, December 2nd, 2020:-

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

4).   To consider a proposal regarding the installation of ‘kids at play’ signs to go up in appropriate cul de sac roads around town to encourage safe local play.

Residents of Hartlands Road have concerns regarding the speed of vehicles in an area where there are children playing out in the streets and wished to look at ‘Kids at play’ signage for appropriate locations. The committee was supportive of the idea and felt it appropriate to see what local residents thought of the idea. It was resolved to recommend inclusion of a consultation article in the Winter newsletter about the proposal and to request for feedback from residents.

5). To provide updates on researching availability of land for car parking in the centre of town.

• Land off Cherry Tree Close: Cadent Gas has advised that the property is still operational with active apparatus on site so it would not be suitable for use as a car park. The committee agreed to write back to Cadent to thank them for the information and ask to be informed should the situation change.
• Kings Arms: the landlord has advised he currently provides rented car park spaces for a local business for a charge and would consider this option for the Parish Council if required. The committee noted this is an option to consider for the future, once it is understood how the pandemic has affected car parking requirements moving forward.

It was noted that there are still ten spaces provided by the current Co-Op parking scheme, with one due to become available soon.

6). To consider any progress or information regarding the provision of electric car charging points, and to receive SBC update.

The Borough Council has been making progress with its own provision of car charging points, with a plan for installation on most of its public car parks. Issues were noted with the difficulties in choosing the right type of charging station and the lack of options for placement within Eccleshall. Supermarkets are being encouraged to provide charging points. The Co-op is currently evaluating proposals but no commitment has been made at present.

The option for provision of on street charging points, powered from lamppost electricity sources was discussed. It was noted that reserved parking bays would be required.

It was resolved to recommend writing to the County Council to ask for support in providing on street charging stations for visitors to Eccleshall, and to also write to County Councillor Jeremy Pert asking for support in working out how to provide charging stations for Eccleshall residents/visitors, bearing in mind that in Eccleshall there are no car parking spaces owned by the Borough or Parish.

7). To review new bus service provision and if any further action required to further improve transport provision.

Cllr. Peter Banks, the chair of Standon Parish Council, addressed the committee to advise of the situation with 6 families who, due to the removal of the post 16 vacant seat scheme on school buses, now struggle with transport to attend the 6^th form in Stone. It was suggested that lobbying together for support may help. One proposal is for the existing 103 public bus service could start earlier, in Cotes Heath, in order to collect those students, before passing through Eccleshall and on to Stone. It was also queried whether Croxton would also benefit with a similar request in relation to the 432 service (currently Eccleshall to Stafford).  It was resolved to recommend writing a joint letter with Standon Parish Council to the County Council to request the extension of these routes.

8). Correspondence

To discuss resident concerns regarding large vehicles and traffic on Shaws Lane and the danger to pedestrians. An increase in traffic was observed over the recent months but members noted that the work that may have generated this traffic should now be nearing an end.

Resident request for footpath from Swynnerton Road along A519 to footpath 3 (near pool). The committee noted the request and understood the concerns but are aware it is unlikely the County Council has funding for this work. The resident was recommended to contact County Councillor Pert with their request.

To receive resident complaint about poor condition of Newport Road Pavement and request to lobby County Council for improvements. The Parish Council has been lobbying for improvements to the pavement surface for a number of years. It was resolved to raise the issue again with County Councillor Pert.

The Clerk will also contact the Highways team to request a meeting to discuss various ongoing issues, as per past arrangements.

Request from the ‘20s plenty for us’ volunteer group to consider implementation of 20mph speed zones. It was resolved to recommend the scheme is also reported in the winter newsletter, and resident feedback obtained to inform future discussion.

Resident correspondence regarding a ring road and removal of the High St. cobbles. The correspondence was received and noted. Members commented on the lack of County Council funding for provision of a ring road, and a likely consequence of a ring road which would create opportunities for developer infill. With regards to the cobbles it was noted that they add to the character of Eccleshall and act to reduce speed through town. The main service infrastructure is also located underneath them. It was resolved to respond to the resident to note the comments and advise current lack of funding.

Resident correspondence regarding the increase in speeding on the Newport Road when signs are removed from the respective locations and request to make the signs permanent. The Committee noted that there were no plans for any further units at present, or to make the signage permanent at this time. The Clerk was asked to request the attendance of the speed partnership van at the earliest opportunity.

9).  Items for next meeting:-

If a highways meeting is arranged with the County Council, it was requested to include the issue of low quality of surfacing works.

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

11).  Date of next meeting:- to be confirmed.

There being no further business, the Chairman declared the meeting closed at 8.35pm.