Agenda and minutes

To note any substitution of Committee Members in accordance with Council Procedure Rules 19 – 22.

The following substitution of Panel members had been made in accordance with Council Procedure Rules 19-22:-

Councillor S. Elam for M. Cowan

Councillor M. Holloway for G. Hayes

To note apologies.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors M. Cowan and G. Hayes.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 14 December 2017.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 14 December 2017 were deferred until the next meeting.

To note declarations of Members’ disclosable pecuniary interests, non-disclosable pecuniary interests and non-pecuniary interests in respect of items on this Agenda.

Councillor S. Boulton declared a non-pecuniary interest in items on the agenda as appropriate by virtue of being Member of Hertfordshire County Council.

Report of the Executive Director (Resources, Environment and Cultural Services) which sets out the results of the informal consultation, the formal consultation and the recommended course of action. The residents and businesses at 272 addresses were consulted.  Three formal objections have been received. See Appendix A.

Report of the Executive Director (Resources, Environment and Cultural Services) on the resident parking permit scheme and double yellow lines in various roads in Welham Green.  Residents and businesses of Welham Green were consulted about proposals to prevent drivers from parking too close to junctions.

The report set out the results of the informal consultation, the formal consultation and the recommended course of action.  The residents and businesses at 272 addresses were consulted.  Three formal objections had been received and these were shown in Appendix A attached to the report.

It was noted that following the review of the existing parking restrictions in Holloway Lane and adjoining roads, a number of new parking restrictions were implemented in January 2017.  These included two small permit schemes in Bulls Lane and Somers Road and double yellow lines at a number of other junctions. 

The Officer explained that during the six month monitoring period following the introduction of the new parking restrictions, a number of residents reported incidents of cars parking on the junctions of Station Road and Dellsome Lane had increased.  Residents in Nash Close also requested double yellow lines opposite number 62 to prevent obstruction of the junction in front of numbers 51 to 52 Nash Close.  This request had been made on the grounds of road safety.  It was noted that Corporate Property had also requested parking restrictions to prevent obstruction of the garage forecourt in Parsonage Lane.

The report noted the two formal objections from the residents living on the junction of Nash Close and one objection from residents living in Welham Close.  The responses to the objections were considered as set out in the report.  The Officer explained that further highway safety matters relating to speed, would be passed to Hertfordshire County Council as the highway authority.  The Officer has requested the Police to install a data box to collect traffic information at the locations affected.

Members agreed that the best option for the junctions in question would be the yellow lines. Also a discussion ensued on highway safety verses resident’s desire and that parked cars do provide a mechanism of slowing traffic in built up areas.  A question was raised in respect of monitoring period and potential investigations; the Officer clarified that during the monitoring period should there be any unintended negative impacts that come to light, Parking Services would investigate and carryout the appropriate remedial action.

RESOLVED:

(1)         That it be noted that three objections had been received by the Council.

(2)         That following consideration of the objections received, in particular the issues raised around equalities and diversity and having considered all the detailed issues set out in the report of the Executive Director (Resources, Environment and Cultural Services) including any proposed mitigating actions, the recommendation to proceed with the creation of the Traffic Regulation Order in regard to the resident parking permit scheme and double yellow lines in various roads in Welham Green be made to the Cabinet.

Report of the Executive Director (Public Protection, Planning and Governance) on the County Council’s longer term transport aspirations, key transport policies and strategic transport projects. The current Local Transport Plan (LTP3) covers the period from 2011 to 2031. The County Council proposes to adopt a new Local Transport Plan (LTP4) and has previously carried out initial consultation under the heading ‘Transport Vision 2050’. This report updates the Panel on the content of the draft Plan and the timetable intended for its adoption.

Report of the Executive Director (Public Protection, Planning and Governance) on the Hertfordshire County Council’s review of the Local Transport Plan (LTP).  The current LTP covers the period from 2011 to 2031.  The County Council proposes to adopt a new Local Transport Plan (LTP4) and has previously carried out initial consultation under the heading ‘Transport Vision 2050’.  Following the earlier consultation a full draft LTP has now been published for further public consultation.  The consultation started on 31 October 2017 and will run until 23 January 2018.  An informal presentation on the Plan had been made to Members by County Council officers on 14 December 2017 prior to the Panel meeting that evening.  The Panel was updated on the content of the draft Plan and the timetable intended for its adoption.

The following points were discussed:

·         The LTP4 is structured into eight substantive sections and focused around the themes of ‘people, place and prosperity’.  Intended to deliver a ‘blended approach’ of improvements in highways, passenger transport, walking and cycling.

·         Challenges and opportunities – increase in population will lead to an increased demand for travel.  Members discussed the current bus services and the potential changes and main issues affecting bus users and providers.  With very little reduction in car use over the last few years it was agreed that there were challenging times ahead as investment was required to support highway improvements and car parking.

·         Drivers of change – change of fuel, land use and environmental factors for example air quality.

·         Making transport more accessible and the need for renewal and regeneration of the Borough’s transport for the future.  Members considered the harmful emissions from transport as being a key factor in poor health and premature death.  Cycling in congested areas can do more harm to health due to vehicle emissions.

·         Renewal energy and green transport was considered; it was noted there was the issue of eradicating the waste from such energy innovations.

·         Policies and Activities – consideration was given to the ‘Core Bus Network’ within the County and how it impacts users – especially the bus service to Hospitals. 

·         Adequate transport service required before any car parking spaces are removed.

·         Rail service – reduction in service at certain stations will not help commuters. The Council responded to the GTR timetable consultation last year and it was suggested that the response be reiterated.

·         Implementation, Funding and Monitoring – the LTP4 is programmed to be adopted by the County Council in 2018, following any final revisions to take account of the responses to the current consultation.  Concern was expressed regarding sufficient funding to provide, improve and embrace new technology which will play a big role in future transport strategies.

·         Additional information was circulated at the meeting on the Environmental Health Comments on the LTP in respect of cycling, new developments and parking, bus travel, traffic lights and clean air zones and increased monitoring.

RESOLVED:

That the Cabinet Planning and Parking Panel notes the contents of this report and agrees that the key  ...  view the full minutes text for item 39.