(KEY DECISION)

Report No. 55/2017 from the Director for Places (Environment, Planning and Transport) was received.

The purpose of which was to consider the Integrated Transport Capital Programme for 2017/18 and the approval process for future integrated transport schemes.

Mr Mathias advised that questions had been received from Miss Waller and that Mr Brown - Director for Places (Environment, Planning & Transport) would respond to them.

During discussion the following points were raised:

      i.        The procedural changes were to ensure that the Programme was more streamlined, and to reduce the time taken from application to construction.

    ii.        Parish Councils would be consulted on solutions when identified. This was a change and would be added into the process. Currently this was notification and not consultation.

   iii.        Confirmation was given that Safety was taken into consideration at the Initial Screening List stage of the process.

   iv.        Clarification was given that the £55,000 funding that Cabinet were being asked to approve was for construction of a scheme on listed in Appendix A to report number 55/2017.

    v.        Recommendation 1 was to have the following wording added at the end ‘subject to consultation with Ward Members’ to ensure all consultations were carried out.

   vi.        That new traffic calming schemes were frequently revisited after implementation. This was due to work that was carried out being what Parish Councils wanted, and not what was required as a solution to traffic issues.

  vii.        Clarification was given that the screening at Wireless Hill roundabout was to improve visibility. 

viii.        The Speed Indicator Device (SID) at Thistleton Road, Market Overton would be checked to clarify whether it had been installed without RCC’s knowledge.

   ix.        The speed limit on Oakham Bypass was to remain at 40mph as recommended by Officers. At the time of the construction of the bypass the Police had suggested a speed limited of 50mph in certain areas. At the time consideration was given to this and due to the potential short distance between speed limit changes it was decided that the speed limit should be 40mph. 

    x.        To put a withdrawn scheme back on the project list Parish Councils would need to make a new application for the scheme.

DECISION

1)    Cabinet APPROVED:

1.    The spend on schemes listed in Appendix A to Report No. 55/2017. Subject to consultation with Ward Members.

2.    The recommendations for monitoring and rejection of the schemes listed in Appendix B to Report No. 55/2017.

3.    The recommendations for feasibility, retention or removal of the schemes listed in Appendix C to Report No. 55/2017.

4.    The procedural changes set out within this report, including delegated authority to the Director for Places (Environment, Planning and Transport) in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for transport to approve or decline construction of schemes under £5000 and schemes recommended in the feasibility studies.

2)    Cabinet AGREED to delegate authority to the Director for Places (Environment, Planning and Transport) in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for transport to create or modify traffic regulation orders (TROs) where this is required as part of a scheme and the changes comply with DfT guidance.

Reasons for Decisions

1.    The recommendations within this report for scheme construction had been made based on the results of feasibility studies undertaken by a highways consultancy in conjunction with feedback from the highways section.

2.    The proposed improvements to the IT capital programme would provide a more robust scoring system that took into account the new corporate aims and objectives.

3.    The proposed spend was within budget.

4.    Delegated authority had been requested in order to move proposals through the system more quickly.  At present it could take up to 3 years for a successful proposal to go from initial submission through to completion of works.