Agenda item

(To consider a Councillor Call for Action request submitted by Councillor R Wootten and received by the Chief Executive in respect of Resolving Obstruction of the Highway / Creation of Parking Spaces on West Street, Barkston)

Consideration was given to a Councillor Call for Action request submitted by Councillor R Wootten and received by the Chief Executive in respect of 'Resolving Obstruction of the Highway / Creation of Parking Spaces on West Street, Barkston'. Under Section 119 of the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 and Section 20 of the Police and Justice Act 2006, councillors could submit a Councillor Call for Action (CCfA).

The report outlined the processes for a Call for Action. Appended to the report was the Call for Action form submitted about the issue from Councillor R Wootten and which summarised the issue.

A farmer and businessman on West Street, Barkston had raised concerns with Councillor R Wootten over the obstruction of the road by parked cars, which in turn were restricting access to his private property. The situation had become worse during the Covid-19 pandemic due to increasing numbers of people following the Government’s advice to exercise, and this location had gained popularity as an area for countryside walking along the River Witham. There were no parking spaces along West Street and the passing point was also being used for parking. Councillor R Wootten had attempted to resolve the matter by contacting the Lincolnshire Police Neighbourhood Team, Lincolnshire County Council officers in Highways and Countryside Services, National Farmers Union, the local MP, and the Barkston and Syston Parish Council. As no satisfactory outcome had been achieved to date the matter was now being brought forward as a Councillor Call for Action.

Councillor R Wootten was invited to outline his reasons for the Councillor Call for Action, and what actions he would like to see taken to address the issue. Councillor R Wootten referred to his Call for Action form which had been appended to the report and requested consideration of a resolution which included the following actions: Provision of parking spaces for up to six vehicles to be created from the grass verge; the relocation of a Section 34 notice on Drift Lane; restricted waiting put in place on this section of West Street – Daytime only; the lawful erection of additional white marker posts; restricting entrance to a section of West Street for access only for residents, visitors and deliveries. Councillor R Wootten also presented a short slide show of five photographs as part of his evidence submission. He reported that since the report had been circulated to the Board he had received messages of support from the Parish Council and six local residents for his submission.

(As the advocate for the Councillor Call for Action and in line with legal advice received, Cllr R Wootten was not able to take part in the debate or vote)

It was noted that the County Council's Traffic and Minor Works Team was currently looking to assist with the parking issues but this only centred on the parking within the two passing places. The Team was not currently looking at parking on any other areas at this end of West Street. The Lincolnshire Police Neighbourhood Team had visited the site and given advice on installing posts near the property entrance which had now been actioned.

The Board was requested to: Consider the Councillor Call for Action request; determine whether to refer the Councillor Call for Action request to the Highways and Transport Scrutiny Committee for final determination and if referred, provide advice to the Highways and Transport Scrutiny Committee for its consideration at its meeting on 8 March 2021.

Members discussed the report and received views on the issue from theAssistant Director – Highways; Team Leader – Countryside Services; Local Highways Manager – West; and the Programme Leader - Minor Works and Traffic, and, during the discussion the following points were noted:

·         Officers reported that it was not possible to prevent walkers from using the road. Parking in the lay-by and on verges of the road was a concern. It was suggested that the impact on the verges had been exacerbated by the ditch which required maintenance by the landowner. Officers were keen to find a practical solution and drew the Board's attention to the cost of providing parking spaces requested which was in the region of £30-£40k and which was not in the current budget.  Remedial solutions suggested by a member such as retractable bollards, widening the road etc. would be expensive, were not budgeted for and would incur on-going maintenance costs.  Also on the suggestion of removing parking from the parking bays it was reported that there would be a need for on-going enforcement.

·         The Board supported the submission of the Councillor Call for Action to the Highways and Transport Scrutiny Committee for final determination. They agreed that the farmer must be able to carry out his job without any barriers to access but also acknowledged the importance of encouraging the public to take exercise and not placing restrictions on this where possible. They also recognised that solutions should be cost effective, which included any on-going maintenance.

·         Additional suggestions made by the Board at the meeting for further consideration by the Highways and Transport Scrutiny Committee included:- The imposition of restrictions - so that only residents could use the road; a review of the use of verges generally in the County; an additional lay-by; the introduction of grass verge meshing; relocation of the Section 34 notice on Drift Lane; encouraging the maintenance of the ditch by the landowner to mitigate the state of the verges.

The Chairman invited members of the Board, with the exception of Councillor R Wootten, to vote to determine whether or not to refer the Councillor Call for Action request to the Highways and Transport Scrutiny Committee for final determination, and if so to provide advice to that Committee for its consideration.

Following a vote it was unanimously:-

RESOLVED:That the Councillor Call for Action request be submitted to the Highways and Transport Scrutiny Committee for final determination, together with the comments as outlined above.