Minutes of the Highways and Transport committee meeting held on Monday 18^th June 2007

in the Corn Exchange complex, Hungerford.

Present:  R. Hudson (Chairman), R. Desmeules  (Deputy Chairman), E. Cardwell, P Harries, R Thompson, M. Wilson  (G. Bullock also present)

Minutes taken by Cllr Cardwell in the Clerk’s absence

Prior to the meeting a moving letter was read out by R Thompson regarding the British Army in Afghanistan and all reflected on this matter.

1)             Apologies for absence

Apologies were received on behalf of R. Desmeules (but he arrived for item 4 moved to the end of agenda)

                2)             Declaration of Interests

PH on item 17, Church Way as he lives there.

                3)             Minutes of 14^th May 2007

07/H0029              EC Proposed, PH seconded.   All voted (6) in favour.

                4)             Christmas Lights (this item deferred to end of meeting after RD arrived)

RD reported on issues.  Testing commenced. Clearout of storage garage needed and RT again offered to assist. 

Power bill had been received and there was confusion about it being too high, but RD explained that was because it included VAT.

                5)             Canal Pedestrian Bridge

Agreed that RH would request that it be put on the next Downlands Area Agenda after July              ACTION RH

                                As the July meeting clashed with F & GP.

6)             Vehicle Actuated Sign

RH reported no further action and should be installed soon on A338 Eddington Hill which he hoped should have been in place.  GB reported that the £4200 Parish Plan Grant monies had been received.

                7)             Street Lights

Nothing to report.

8)             Street Cleaning/Footpaths

Dog Poo

RT confirmed we could tie into their contract for cleaning and emptying dog bins.  Primary school to be contacted,  British Waterways confirmed one near St Lawrence’s church one near the Wharf.  Next Open Door to ask where people would like them placed.                                                                                                          ACTION RT

Street Cleaning: Chewing Gum:  RH to write to WBC requesting for the machine to come to Hungerford High Street.                                                                                                                                                                    ACTION RH

RT reported litter at Everlands Road.  Suggested that he contact Street Care

Rail station litter issues.  RH still to contact Network Rail.                                                                           ACTION RH

Also to contact 2010+ to look at potential to adopt the station and to review in the context of new

developments in the area.                                                                                                                                   ACTION RH

General Concern about the number of shops closing in the town and whether there is anything we can do

improve the environment in the town.  All to consider the issue.                                               ACTION ALL

                9)             Railings on Bridges &Entrance Gates to Town

RT pleased to report that the bridges had been done.

But for the gateway entrances to town RT to obtain photos.  Letter to be sent to WBC Highways with photos.  RH to do letter RT the photos.                                                                                                           ACTION RT RH

10)           Public Seats

RH reported that YOT had been contacted and that we were purchasing paint, brushes etc for YOT to get working.  RH to progress                                                                                                                                      ACTION RH

Discussion about benches on the wharf and that a need to replace some of them. RH would have preferred that benches were fully reviewed before purchasing new benches

   07/H0030           PH proposed to purchase 3 new benches in the wharf area with one to be sponsored by member of public.

Seconded RT and carried 6 in favour.  DL to progress the purchase of these.                         ACTION DL

                11)           Public Conveniences

RH reported on the latest situation on the temporary Portaloo toilets.   Portaloo had confirmed that it was a right off and were requesting the £11,000 plus VAT for the loss.    RH had received the fire report which confirmed that the fire started and spread from the plastic toilet next to the Portaloo.  Agreed that RH to contact WBC regarding consequential damage/ proximate cause and meeting to be set up to include GB and Paul Hewer.

ACTION RH

Proposed by PH that payment and reclaiming funds relating to the Portaloo loss is progressed through Finance & 07/H0031           General Purposes Committee.  Seconded by DL.  All were in favour.

There remained concern about a lack of information from the police. RT to contact the police to request they look again at CCTV coverage.                                                                                                                   ACTION RL

                12)           Hungerford in Bloom

M W reported that posters done by RH were distributed and notices up.  So far only 3 responses.  She may telephone previous entrants to get more involved.

RD had been preparing troughs and weeding the banks.

RD suggested that we look at greater budget for the troughs next year.

13)           Transport Schemes for Section 106 Funding

RH reported that we had received a letter from WBC stating that we can fill up a form to request transport schemes to get funded through section 106 funds (funds from developments in the local area).  RH said this was very important for us, that we do not miss this opportunity to have transport schemes added in. We have to time this right and submit in October.  Items suggested were as item 17, Church Way and more salt bins for pathways.  Suggest that all consider schemes to place in the form and add to September agenda.

ACTION ALL

14)           Letter re Charnham Park A4 Diversion

RH reported that a letter had gone to a resident of Kennet Way and that they were not very happy about the situation. 

15)           Hungerford Area-Wide Traffic Regulation Order

Due to start soon.  RH to check with WBC that narrow yellow lines to be used in the Conservation Area. OD 6 to confirm the consultation process that went on.                                                                      ACTION RH & RT

                16)           Upper Eddington

RH had been approached by Paul Taylor of Upper Eddington about speeding traffic.  WBC had done speed surveys and that residents were wanting the 30mph zone extended from the A338 to beyond the cottages.  RH proposed and seconded MW that HTC sends  letter in support of residents to WBC to introduce this 30mph zone.  All in favour.  RH to write letter and copy to Paul Taylor and District Councillors.

07/H0032 ACTION RH

17)           Church Way: No Footway & Service Road

Key concerns that surface being washed down the hill, which makes the road slippery and dangerous and blocks drains.  There is also no footway for pedestrians which is used as a safer route to school.  The road is unadopted and owned by Sovereign Housing.  Grass is owned by WBC and it is understood that Sovereign would like £4000 per privately owned resident to resurface.  Suggested that Jon Winstanley is approached by letter with possible S106 funds to assist.  RH to draft letter on the issue.                                                                   ACTION RH

18)           Risk Assessments

PH reported that in future also need to consider every new project / venture such as 2010+ projects.

Meeting closed at 9.02pm.

Signed…………………………..R H C Hudson…………

Chairman, Highways and Transport

16th July 2007