Quentin Brogdale from Norfolk County Council will attend the meeting in relation to King’s Lynn Transport Issues.
Minutes:
The Chairman invited Quentin Brogdale to give an update to the Committee on King’s Lynn Transport Issues.
He explained that he had been sent some questions on behalf of Councillor Gourlay and would answer those, as follows:
· The growth of King’s Lynn and surrounding areas and how the overstretched road network was going to cope with this extra traffic.
In response, it was explained that any major development would be referred to the County Council as a consultee on highways issues. As a consultee the County Council would assess the highway impact and, if necessary, recommend any appropriate mitigation measures.
· Could traffic lights be installed at Asda and Winston Churchill Drive not hospital entrance at peak times.
It was explained that this had been put forward for inclusion in the Traffic Management Programme.
· Problems had been encountered with parking on Winston Churchill Drive and on William Booth Road, starting to park on both sides of the road which if it developed would mean cars and buses potentially would have to reserve back along the road.
In response, it was explained that if buses were faced with roads not satisfactory, this was in the process of being monitored and if the problem existed then measures would be taken.
Councillor Mrs Wilkinson informed the Committee that the problem was particularly a nuisance along Winston Churchill Drive, and that she had spoken with Sally Bettinson from NCC so she was also aware of the issue.
· What roads on Bishop Park, Fairstead and King’s Reach were still awaiting adoption?
It was explained that Norfolk County Council were still waiting for the roads to be brought up to adoption standard which was the responsibility of the developer.
· Who was responsible for the state of footpaths on these two developments?
In response, it was explained that the developer would be responsible until the developments were adopted.
· How often was the service roads and footpaths inspected on Fairstead, or is it dependant on residents or Councillors reporting the need for repair.
It was explained that there was an inspection regime carried out on a 12 week programme which operated a priority system. He pointed out that some of the road on Fairstead did not belong to Norfolk County Council.
· With new estates what steps were being taken to speed up adoption? There were problems with the new estate in the Baldock Drive area which required action by Ronald Mortimer.
In response, it was explained that the Baldock Drive area was not adopted and there was no current plans for these to be. It would be the responsibility of the developer.
The Assistant Director referred to the problems with the adoption of Baldock Drive and Millfield Estate and explained that the problems had not only been encountered here but also across the country. He explained that the Council now added a condition on permissions for new estates regarding arrangements for future maintenance of the estate, and this condition would continue to be added onto any permission.
Councillor J Collop added that the developers constructed Millfields and then went bust leaving the residents having to pay for the road. He stated that he understood that developers should make good a section of the road before moving onto the next part.
Quentin Brogdale explained that until the developers put forward a scheme for adoption it was their responsibility. The Assistant Director added that the Council would now be imposing a condition on how they would maintain the estate in future and that condition could be enforced.
Councillor Tyler had raised the following issues:
· Lorries using Loke Road and Tennyson Avenue and turning at the Woolpack corner into Loke Road.
It was explained that Norfolk County Council were now in the process of implementing a 7 tonne weight limit.
Councillor Tyler added that there was a problem with cracks leading into people’s properties. He asked for assurance that the measures but forward by Norfolk County Council would solve the problem.
Quentin Brogdale explained that it would be illegal for any HGV over 7 tonnes to use that route. He added that Norfolk County Council would encourage the Police to enforce and prosecute.
Councillor Mrs Buck stated that a resident had taken a note of the HGVs using the route and a lot were learner drivers.
The Operations Manager queried whether this would restrict the events that took place in the Walks. It was explained that the weight limit would have the proviso ‘except for access’.
Councillor Miss Bambridge asked when the restriction would be put in place as this issue had been raised at SNAP meetings for at least the last 3 years.
Mr Brogdale advised that he would find out and let the Democratic Services Officer know, who would forward the information to the Committee.
Councillor Miss Bambridge stressed the importance of cooperation with the Police on this and the need for the Police to enforce and prosecute.
· General traffic issues in King’s Lynn
Councillor Tyler stated that as a cyclist, he had noticed an increase in traffic within King’s Lynn. Quentin Brogdale agreed that there was an increase in traffic particularly in the town centre. He explained that widening works were taking place where they could and traffic lights were being replaced to be responsive.
Councillor Tyler reported that the traffic lights at the Woolpack in Gaywood often changed within seconds. Quentin Brogdale suggested that this could be a fault.
Councillor Smith asked how often County Highways looked at the whole of King’s Lynn and considered other options. He stated that the main road through his ward had been the same as 80 years ago. He added that some houses had 3 cars. He asked how the town’s rush hour could be stopped.
In response, Quentin Brogdale explained that County Highways did not just look at junctions in isolation, all traffic lights were linked and monitored and all movements could be seen throughout the town.
The Executive Director, Commercial Services explained that he had recently met with Tom McCabe and it had been suggested, as a pilot scheme, to carry out some changes to London Road. He outlined the proposed changes and stated that County were looking at that at the current time.
Councillor Mrs Buck stated that when travelling from South Lynn, there was no way of getting onto the roundabout because cars blocked it. The Executive Director explained that there was no loading restriction on the roundabout currently but consideration was being given to putting a loading restriction on.
The Executive Director advised the Committee that Norfolk County Highways had reduced budgets available to them.
The Executive Director referred to the road at South Lynn (CIF) into King’s Lynn which was currently used by buses and asked why this could not be opened up for cars. He suggested that the planning permission might need to be varied or a new permission sought.
The Assistant Director explained that the road was tied to funding, the criteria of which would need to be looked into further.
Councillor Tyler referred to the traffic crossings at night being silent. Quentin Brogdale explained that at night there tended to be less traffic, and the noise that the crossing made was quite piercing and did irritate residents.
The Chairman thanked Quentin Brogdale for attending the meeting and for a useful discussion.
AGREED: That, the Assistant Director/Norfolk County Council investigates the possibility of opening the CIF road for cars to help alleviate the traffic issues around the Southgates roundabout.