Minutes of the Highways and Transport committee meeting held on Monday 19th February 2007
in the Corn Exchange complex, Hungerford.
Present: R. Hudson (Chairman), E. Cardwell, D. Small, R. Ballard, D. Liddiard, P. Harries, R. Desmeules (7.20pm)
Minutes taken by Cllr Cardwell in the Clerk’s absence
1) Apologies for absence
Apologies were received on behalf of Cllrs Wilson and Ticehurst
2) Declaration of Interests
R. Hudson
3) Minutes of 15th January 2007
Item 10) Public seats wait until new Council comes in.
07/H007 GB Proposed, DL seconded. All voted (5) (1) abstention.
4) HTC Response to Hungerford Area-Wide Traffic Regulation Order
R. Hudson – looked like the original version of the plans. Key issues still over restriction in Croft area and effects on Bridge Street businesses? HTC letter of 29/9/06 seemed to have been largely ignored.
Gwynneth received Robert James letter complaining about Parking in Croft due to funeral.
It was suggested that Town & Manor be contacted re Hungerford Club car park usage.
Generally supportive but to resubmit extracts letter of 29/9/06, para 1, 2, not 3, 4, 5, 6.
The public were also confused by signs.
Agreed that R Hudson to draft letter to committee and responses needed before 1st to comply with timetable.
5) Christmas Lights
£16,800 budget spend £20,800 credits coming in £3500 of £3800. Major received, small still
incoming = surplus approximately £400.
D. Liddiard donated six bottles wine. R. Desmeules to re-incorporate £200 from lighting comp – not used.
R. Ballard - casual labour £100
07/H008 R. Desmeules proposed D. Liddiard seconded. Unanimous.
Donate £25 to St Lawrence re donation of sound system.
07/H009 P. Harries proposed D Liddiard seconded. 6 yes. GB did not vote.
£20 paid out for resident electric.
Lights from tree removed outside library – A.M. Electric to disconnect or R. Ballard and R. Desmeules
to remove by weekend.
Round Table collected approx £500 from mulching.
6) Canal Pedestrian Bridge
As last meeting.
Agreed that would ask that it be put on the Downlands Area Agenda.
7) Vehicle Actuated Sign: Parish Grant Update and Funding.
RH said that to apply for the Parish Plan Grant of upto to £4250 it was necessary to find 15% match funding which is £750. There are options to fund this £750, either from the Town Council, 2010+ or local residents such as from Dr Franks. P Harries objected to local resident funding.
07/H010 P. Harries proposed that the match funding is provided from 2010+ monies, D. Liddiard seconded. 6 for 1 against.
The Parish Plan Fund form, applying for £4250 funding needs to be submitted by month end.
R. Hudson to complete this and forward to Mayor and clerk.
RH explained that related to this issue of traffic approaching Hungerford too fast from the motorway that £1000 has been allocated by Downland Forum traffic management budget to conclude project around gate area. To include additional road surface markings at the gateway.
8) Street Lights
Economy lighting – ask West Berks to support our initiative to change to eco friendly lighting. RH to draft letter to other Councillors before sending onto West Berks.
Switch lights off in inaccessible public loos and heating in library. The letter to also to comment about the library lights and toilet lights
It was noted that there was still no light supplied by Memorial Ground.
9) Street Cleaning/Footpaths
Footpath 36 – canal to pig farm.
Divert footpath during works, temp until 17/8/07.
Railings between Forge and Bridge Street War Memorial – poor.
25/3/07 litter pick day, advertise and invite Dolphin group and Youth Council – also invite to full
Town Council meeting.
EC to contact Street Care for litter pickers.
Clerk to contact West Berks re chewing gum machine on her return.
10) Public Seats
Seat repair by Wharf – clerk has in hand.
J. Liddiard and sister offered to supply/pay for seat.
07/H011 G. Bullock proposed we accept J. Liddiard and Stella Sampson offer to pay for seat. P. Harries seconded.
7 in favour.
Recycled seats – details to be emailed to R. Hudson from E.Cardwell.
11) Public Conveniences
Temporary PCs: All OK at present.
i) G. Bullock to contact Council to obtain builder’s name.
12) Hungerford in Bloom
Start next month RD/MW
13) Horn Hill Pond
No action at present
14) Kintbury Health Hydro Redevelopment: HGV Routing
Planning condition HGV route right out of site over common, down Park Street to A4.
Audeleys building company.
G. Bullock wants company to reapply for route to go via Sanham Green.
Mervin May not returning phone calls – no. weight, movement.
G. Bullock to draft letter to circulate before issue.
15) Ramsbury Drive and South View Route to School
To be discussed at next meeting.
16) Prospect Road Parking Issues
Too late to add restrictions to the town wide Traffic Regulation Order. The issue follows on from District Councillor’s Surgery with Shop/Retail people using the road to park.
In the discussion it was pointed out that additional yellow lines are no use without enforcing these.
Agreed that issue best dealt with by Ward Councillors as already raised at Councillors surgery.
E. Cardwell to request parking enforcement be added to next NAG meeting agenda 29/3/07.
Cllr Harries believed that West Berks Council should be asked if concession prices be available for Hungerford work force.
Via Chamber of Commerce we as Town Council are sympathetic to residents but we will bring the matter
to the attention of Police and West Berks Highways department.
West Berks to be chased re cycle parking facilities.
17) Risk Assessments
Nothing to update at present.
Meeting closed at 9.05pm.
Signed…………………R H C Hudson…………
Chairman, Highways and Transport
19th March 2007