Agenda and minutes

Venue: Committee Room One, County Offices, Newland, Lincoln Lincs LN1 1YL. View directions

Contact: Steve Blagg  Democratic Services Officer

Items
No. Item

57.

Apologies for Absence/Replacement Members

Minutes:

An apology for absence was received from Councillor E W Strengiel.

58.

Mr Stratford - Address to the Committee - Lincoln Transport Strategy

Minutes:

The Chairman allowed Mr Stratford, a member of the public, to address the meeting in connection with the Lincoln Transport Strategy.

 

Mr Stratford stated that his reason to address the Committee had started from a decision by Monks Abbey Primary School, Lincoln not to allow children to cycle to school.

 

Mr Stratford stated that the world was facing a climate emergency. He referred to a statement by the Church of England Synod on this matter whose message was that everyone had a "duty to protect our neighbour". He stated that the Lincoln Transport Study quoted the need to reduce carbon emissions with increased cycle lanes, use of public transport and electric cars. He said that flooding was already a major issue nationwide particularly in Lincolnshire.

 

Mr Stratford stated that the Council needed to show political leadership by ensuring that the strategy took full account of the climate emergency; asked that the strategy should in accordance with the Paris Agreement stay under 1.5 degrees of warming (that had been agreed internationally). This would mean that for the main actions in the strategy evidence data was needed to show how the strategy was contributing towards cutting greenhouse emissions bearing in mind that reductions of 10-15% were required year on year; and the Council was asked to prioritise those areas of the strategy that worked quickly in that direction.

 

Mr Stratford stated that the reason for this request was that "our house was on fire" and requested that the members needed to think about future generations.

 

The Chairman thanked Mr Stratford for his address to the meeting.

59.

Declarations of Members' Interests

Minutes:

Councillor S P Roe stated he had a pecuniary interest in item 7 on the agenda and would leave the meeting during the discussion because of family interests in the area (minute 64).

60.

Minutes of the previous meeting of the Committee held on 20 January 2020 pdf icon PDF 143 KB

Minutes:

RESOLVED

 

That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 20 January 2020, be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

61.

Announcements by the Chairman, Executive Councillors and Officers

Minutes:

No announcements were made.

62.

A46 Welton and Dunholme Junction Improvement Scheme (Roundabout) pdf icon PDF 367 KB

(To receive a report by Charlotte Hughes, Senior Project Leader, which seeks approval from the Executive Councillor for Highways, Transport and IT to proceed with the scheme, to procure and award a contract for the scheme and to seek approval from the Leader of the Council for the scheme appraisal)

Minutes:

The Committee received a pre-decision scrutiny report in connection with the A46 Welton and Dunholme junction improvement scheme (roundabout).

 

A decision was sought from the Executive Councillor for Highways, Transport and IT to progress the scheme; in principle to award and enter into a contract for the construction of the scheme and to delegate to the Executive Director – Place, in consultation with the Executive Councillor for Highways, Transport and IT, authority to take all decisions necessary to progress the scheme to include the detailed terms, award and entering into of any contract or other documentation necessary to ensure the construction of the scheme.

 

A decision was sought from the Leader of the Council (Executive Councillor: Resources and Communications) to approve the scheme appraisal.

 

Officers stated that road closures would be necessary, could cause issues for motorists and added that road closures would be publicised well in advance of the start of work on the scheme.

 

Comments by members included that some vehicles with trailers had problems negotiating tight corners on roundabouts and enquired whether the necessary consultation had been carried out in this respect. Officers stated that the roundabout was designed to highway standards, took into account vehicles with trailers and that the situation would be monitored.

 

RESOLVED

 

(a)  That the comments by members be noted and taken into consideration by officers.

(b)  That the recommendations to the Executive Councillor for Highways, Transport and IT and the Leader of the Council (Executive Councillor, Resources and Communications), detailed in Appendix 1, of the report be supported.

 

 

63.

Re-waterproofing of Pelham Bridge, Lincoln pdf icon PDF 206 KB

(To receive a report by Richard Waters, Principal Engineer (Structures), which seeks the approval of the Leader of the Council (Executive Councillor, Resources and Communications), to carry out re-waterproofing and other maintenance works to Pelham Bridge, Lincoln)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Consideration was given to a pre-scrutiny report to the Leader of the Council (Executive Councillor for Resources and Communications) in connection with the re-waterproofing and other maintenance works of Pelham Bridge.

 

Officers stated that they had deferred work on the bridge pending the opening of the Lincoln Eastern Bypass which would help to mitigate the traffic issues which were likely to arise when the work commenced. Officers explained how it was proposed to manage the work associated with the scheme which involved the closure of lanes and footways. Officers stated that it was proposed to address the piers supporting the bridge at a later stage and that it was proposed to make a start on the scheme on 4 January 2021 with completion expected on 24 April 2021. However, this all depended on weather conditions.

 

Comments by members included:-

 

·         An enquiry about when the problems had become known? Officers stated that the problems had been known about for a long time. 

·         It was noted that the previous major works on the bridge had taken place 40 years ago which seemed a long time before any maintenance work had had to take place. Officers stated that new materials were guaranteed to last twenty years and that it was only necessary to re-waterproof when there was a leak.

·         Advanced notice to the public would be needed when the footways were closed. Officers stated that publicity about the closure had already started with local businesses being informed by letter. Footfall was not a big issue on the bridge, the public were able to use the footway over the railway at Lincoln Station but this was not accessible by wheelchair and the public could use the High Street.

·         An enquiry was made about the severity of the corrosion? Officers stated that corrosion of the decking was not a major problem but that there was a problem within the piers of the bridge which would need to be addressed in the future and would be an additional cost.

·         As part of this work in order to improve the road surface of the bridge the benefit of refreshing the expansion joints was suggested. Officers stated that this work would be undertaken at the same time as the re-waterproofing.

 

RESOLVED

 

(a)  That the comments by members and the responses of officers be noted.

(b)  That the recommendations to the Leader of the Council (Executive Councillor, Resources and Communications, to carry out re-waterproofing and other maintenance works to Pelham Bridge, detailed in Appendix 1 of the report, be supported.  

 

64.

Lincoln Transport Strategy Report and Summary Document pdf icon PDF 107 KB

(To receive a report by Karl Gibson, Senior Project Leader, which invites the Committee to consider the Lincoln Transport Strategy report and summary document. This decision is due to be considered by the Executive on 07 April 2020. The views of this Committee will be reported to the Executive as part of its consideration of this item)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Consideration was given to a report in connection with the Lincoln Transport Strategy which was to be considered by the Executive on 7 April 2020.

 

Officers described how the strategy had evolved, its' preparation by the County Council, City of Lincoln Council, North Kesteven and West Lindsey District Councils and that it aimed to provide a clear vision for the future of transport across the Lincoln area.

 

Comments by members included:-

 

·    The strategy should be used as a pilot to address issues in cities similar in size to Lincoln.

·    The need to encourage people to use public transport especially train services and that train fares should be kept low to encourage more people to use them.

·    The Joint Line should be electrified.

·    The Nettleham cycle route had been cut off by the development of the new roundabout at the junction of the A158/A46 Nettleham Road and was now dangerous for cyclists. It was suggested that improved joined up thinking would have overcome this problem. Officers stated that the whole cycle route between Nettleham and Lincoln would be examined because there was a need to know how people used this route including an examination of a footbridge on Nettleham Road. Officers also stated that it was proposed to examine the provision of priority cycle lanes on Wragby Road.

·    It was suggested that the reason for the delay in completing the Nettleham roundabout was the increased cost of the project.

·    A reduction in bus services was highlighted with some bus companies refusing to reinstate services which had led to an increase in car use.

·    It was important that the other participating local authorities involved in the preparation of the strategy were involved in its implementation and an enquiry about who was on the Strategy Board?

·    Lone walkers should be able to walk without the fear of crime.

·    HGV re-routing signs should be provided.

·    An enquiry was made about the carbon footprint of the strategy before and after implementation.

·    An enquiry was about whether the Council was satisfied with the number of electric charging points and whether the Council would approach the electricity companies to provide additional ones if required.

·    Some rail station car parks needed enlarging.

·    The ending of one car rail carriages was welcomed.

·    Sunday rail services to Lincoln needed to be improved.

·    Motorists needed to be persuaded to car share and an enquiry was made about how the strategy could help in this area.

 

Officers stated that consultation would continue with all stakeholders; agreed that there was a need to reduce CO2 emissions by 10% each year; that the Strategy Board comprised the Leader of the City of Lincoln Council, the Leader of the County Council's Labour Group, Councillor R B Parker, and all Executive Councillors with highway interests from each of the Councils.

 

Officers stated that they would provide written responses to the other questions asked by members.

 

RESOLVED

 

(a)  That the comments made by members be noted and that officers respond to questions asked by members through the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 64.

65.

Street Lighting Update pdf icon PDF 111 KB

(To receive a report by John Monk, Group Manager (Design Services), in connection with a summary of requests received under the reversal of part night lighting protocol for reinstatement to all night operation received during the past twelve month period)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Consideration was given to a report in connection with street lighting including a summary of requests received under the reversal of part-night lighting protocol for reinstatement to all night operation received during the twelve month period.

 

Officers stated that only one formal request for the reversal of the part-night operation had been received (Pinchbeck Parish Council had requested four lights to be switched back on as part of the County Council's routine maintenance in the financial year 2020/21).

 

Comments by members included:-

 

·    More street lights should be switched off.

·    A member stated that he had been approached by a local resident on a new development, in the process of construction for some time, complaining about the lights being switched off and the resident had enquired if the developer could pay for the lights to be kept on all the time? Officers stated that this was the first time this issue had been raised and that while seeing no reason why this could not take place there would be a need for the development to be adopted first before a change in policy could take place. Officers stated that when the policy was updated this could be included as an option to be considered by the Council.

·    Officers responded to an enquiry about the savings made to date and the replacement of existing street lights by LED lighting. They gave details of the amount of CO2 emissions saved and proposals to replace low pressure sodium lights by LED lights. They said that currently between 45% and 50% of this lighting had been replaced.

 

RESOLVED

 

(a)  That the comments by members and responses by officers be noted.

(b)  That officers provide a report to the Committee on the issues raised in connection with lighting on new developments in twelve months.

66.

Roundabout Sponsorship - Update on Action Plan Arising From Recommendations pdf icon PDF 112 KB

(To receive a report by Mick Phoenix, Parking Services Manager. Following on from the Roundabout Sponsorship and Advertising Scrutiny Review, four recommendations were made which have been accepted by the Executive Councillor for Highways, Transport and IT. This report identifies the actions to be taken to enable those recommendations)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Consideration was given to a report in connection with the actions to be taken to enable the recommendations of the Roundabout Sponsorship and Advertising Scrutiny Review, which had been accepted by the Executive Councillor for Highways, Transport and IT.

 

Officers responded to comments by members and stated that they accepted the need to make sure that any signs installed on roundabouts did not distract motorists; that consultations had taken place with District Councils and businesses would be encouraged to advertise.

 

RESOLVED

 

(a)  That the comments by members and responses by officers be noted.

(b)  That a progress report be submitted to the Committee in six months.

67.

Performance Report, Quarter 3 – (October to December 2019) pdf icon PDF 251 KB

(To receive a report by Paul Rusted, Head of Highway Services, in connection with the performance of the highways service including the Major Highway Schemes Update, Lincolnshire Highways Alliance Performance and the Highways and Transport Complaints)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Consideration was given to a report in connection with the performance of the Major Highway schemes, Lincolnshire Highways Alliance performance and the Highways and Transport Complaints report.

 

The Chairman, on behalf of the Committee, thanked the Kier Group, for the work they had undertaken, in partnership with the Council, over the last ten years as part of the Lincolnshire Highways Alliance.

 

Comments by members included:-

 

·         Complaints received from Parish Councils about the poor state of the roads particularly potholes and blocked gulleys. The Council should provide performance information to members which they could pass onto their Parish Councils. Officers stated that they were aware of the difficulties with the communication of information to Parish Councils and stated that they could provide highways performance information by means of a "dashboard" to them. Officers stated that gulleys and in the vicinity of gulleys were cleared annually and added that standards for the construction of drainage built in the 1980s was lower than today due to the need to meet the growth in the population. Officers agreed that there was a need for additional resources.

·         The use of a prompt sheet was suggested to help members to report on highways issues. Officers were examining disseminating information by using Parish Council newsletters.

·         At one time Parish Councils used to be asked to identify highway problems in their own areas. Officers stated that they would be making improvements in this area which they would share with members, that there would be consulting Parish Councils and information would be shared with the Local Association of Local Councils.

·         It was noted that while there had been a mild winter this year flooding had been an issue in the county and this had affected highway drainage.

 

RESOLVED

 

(a)  That the comments by members and responses by officers be noted.

(b)  That the report be noted.

 

68.

Highways and Transport Scrutiny Committee Work Programme pdf icon PDF 261 KB

(To receive a report by Daniel Steel, Scrutiny Officer, in connection with the Committee's Work Programme. Members' comments are sought on the items for future consideration)

Minutes:

Consideration was given to the Committee's Work Programme.

 

RESOLVED

 

That the Committee's Work Programme be noted and updated accordingly.

 

 
 
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