Minutes of the meeting of the Highways and Transport committee held on Monday, 18th January 2010 at 7 pm in the Corn Exchange complex, Hungerford.

Present:  Cllrs Hudson, Gaines, Cardwell, Bullock, Liddiard, Parry, Wilson, Desmeules, Buckwell, Harries and Crane.

1. Apologies for absence:  Cllrs Booth (family commitment) and Ravenhill (work)

2. Declarations of interest:  Cllr Gaines:  re provision of salt bins at Sarum Way.

3. Minutes of meeting held 16th November 2009:  Proposed by Cllr Gaines, seconded by Cllr Harries, 2 abstentions, rest in favour.

4. Matters arising:  none

5. WBC Highways Issues & Progress Programme (see table): Action:  Cllr Hudson to send an updated programme to all councillors.  Re Canal Bridge footbridge, Cllr Hudson has heard nothing yet.  Cllr Bullock was concerned on whether the existing bridge would be strong enough if the current weight of HGVs of 44 tonnes was increased.  Cllr Crane thought it was important to know the traffic flow through the town:  this needs to be formally requested from WBC.  Cllr Crane proposed it be added to the Programme, seconded by Cllr Buckwell, all in favour.

6. Christmas Lights:  Thanks to Cllr Desmeules and helpers for the brilliant lights.  Cllr Desmeules updated the committee and reported that taking into account donations received and to come, the Christmas lights re expected to be close to budget.  The connections in the posts may need updating and this will incur a cost. Cllr Crane asked about the expected savings on energy in the context of the 1010 commitment of the Council.   Cllr Desmeules said that LED lights cost more to purchase but about half the cost of the regular lights to run.  Action:  Cllr Desmeules provide an update on LED light cost and energy cost savings

7. Hungerford in Bloom – watering machine: Action:  Clerk to add to next agenda.  Discussion was held on whether individuals and shops in the High Street should enter hanging baskets in the competition since HTC provides hanging baskets there.  There will not be a category for this this year.

8. Gritting (HTC/Chamber of Commerce):  The Chamber of Commerce has been proactive in setting a volunteer rota to clear and grit pavements.  .  Cllr Cardwell suggested looking into a grit-spreading machine.  The question of using the salt from WBC’s salt bins on pavements/roads vs the current litigious climate was discussed.  Cllr Buckwell described several highly dangerous near-accidents with HGVs near the railway line on Station Road, the gritting of which ought to be a priority.  Action:  meeting  to be set up with Dist Cllr Holtby, members of the committee, Chamber of Commerce and WBC to agree bin locations, an update  on roads needed to be gritted, voluntarily assistance schedule and the issue of legality.  Action:  Cllrs Cardwell and Gaines to look into the Winter Service Plan and to identify our preferred bin locations in advance of the WBC meeting.  This also to be requested via the Chamber of Commerce and the newsletter.

9. Public Seats – update on benches:  Cllr Crane had been looking into this. To be looked at in more detail when weather improves.

10. Rail station:  A meeting was held on 8th January and information-gathering discussions have been held with First Great Western and Network Rail.  Cllr Hudson suggested a small study could be carried out on the layout of the site.  Cllr Buckwell said this would be better  done after we have heard what the interested parties have to say.  Cllr Parry asked if there was a ‘users group’ and it was reported that there was not one.

11. Tourist Signs – progress update:  Dist Cllr Holtby is addressing the situation.

12. Speed reactive signs:  No progress to report.  Action:  Clerk to forward the letter to Andrew Garratt dated 20th November to Mark Edwards, WBC.  Cllr Hudson said that a mobile speed reactive sign can be borrowed, but volunteers would be needed to operate it. 

13. Finance: Capital budget 3-year plan:  Ideas for this budget included a watering machine, gritting machine and a snow-making machine.  Action:  Councillors to bring further ideas to the next meeting.

14. Risk Assessments:  nothing to report.

The meeting closed at 8.05 pm.