Agenda and minutes

-           to note the content of the attached report which has been referred by the Cabinet Member for Housing and Neighbourhoods.

Further to Minute No. 10 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member for Housing and Neighbourhoods held on 15th June, 2009, consideration was given to a report relating to issues raised in two petitions from residents at Longfellow Drive, Herringthorpe.

The report provided an update on action taken to resolve the issues raised in the petitions.

Resolved:-  That the contents of the report, and actions undertaken in response to the petitioners’ concerns, be noted.

Ken Wheat, Transportation Unit Manager, to report.

-           to report results of initial public consultation.

Further to Minute No. 181 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Development Services held on 2nd February, 2009, consideration was given to a report, presented by the Senior Engineer, informing the Cabinet Member of the outcome of the public consultation carried out on Boston Castle Grove and Boston Castle Terrace about the introduction of a Residents’ Parking Scheme.

Details of the analysis of returned questionnaires were set out in the report, and it was pointed out that there was 73% supporting the introduction of a Residents’ Parking Scheme.

Details of the proposed scheme, hours of operation and charges were also set out in the submitted report.

It was noted that costs of setting up the scheme could be funded from the Local Transport Plan Integrated Transport Capital Programme for 2009/2010.

Resolved:-  (1)  That residents on Boston Castle Grove and Boston Castle Terrace be informed of the results of the consultation.

(2)        That the Director of Planning and Regeneration use powers delegated to him to promote a Traffic Regulation Order to introduce a Residents’ Parking scheme on Boston Castle Grove and Boston Castle Terrace which would operate from Monday to Friday between the hours of 08:00 to 17:00, as shown on drawing number 126/18/TT483B as attached to the report now submitted.

(3)        That, subject to there being no objections to the proposed Traffic Regulation Order being received, the scheme be implemented.

(4)        That the scheme be funded from the Local Transport Plan Integrated Transport Capital Programme for 2009/10.

Ken Wheat, Transportation Unit Manager, to report.

-           to consider the outcome of consultation.

Further to Minute No. 53 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Development Services held on 27th July, 2007, consideration was given to a report, presented by the Senior Engineer, detailing the outcome of the statutory consultation regarding the proposed prohibition of driving absolute on the Duncan Street back road, including a 33 signature petition suggesting an alternative gating arrangement.

Reference was made to the possible introduction of an alley gating scheme which was being considered by Housing and Neighbourhoods, noting that funding had been identified and local residents were being consulted.  This scheme would address concerns around safety and remove traffic from the back road (Appendix C to the report illustrated the proposals).

It was proposed therefore that the scheme (illustrated at Appendix A – Drawing No. 128/18/439) to prohibit driving on the Duncan Street back road at its junction with the B6066 Whitehill Lane should be implemented, but that consideration should be given to reviewing this if and when the gating scheme had been put in.  It was noted that the cost of making the TRO and the installation of bollards would be met from 2009/2010 budgets.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the petition be received.

(2) That the request to leave Duncan Street Back road at its junction with Whitehill Lane open as an access for No 2 and No 6 Ellis Street not be acceded to.

(3) That the Traffic Regulation Order associated with the scheme be made, but the need for such an order be reviewed if and when an alley gating scheme is successfully implemented by Housing and Neighbourhood services.

(4) That the lead petitioner to be informed accordingly.

Ken Wheat, Transportation Unit Manager, to report.

-           to report receipt of a petition regarding parking and access issues on Westfield Road and request for action to be taken.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Senior Engineer, relating to the receipt and investigation of a 72 signature petition which requested that action be taken to resolve the stated access difficulties drivers of larger vehicles were experiencing when attempting to negotiate the corner at the south eastern end of Westfield Road as a result of parked vehicles.

Potential solutions to the problem e.g. the introduction of double yellow lines and/or rounding off the corners to increase the radius of the bends, had been examined, and the report detailed the reasons why these could not be recommended.

It was pointed out that South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service had not raised any concerns about access difficulties in this location and neither had the Council’s Waste Services.

It was therefore proposed that a joint letter from the Council and South Yorkshire Police be posted to all properties on Westfield Road and Park Grove.   The letter would highlight and inform the residents about the access difficulties being created by some drivers parking close to the corners on Westfield Road and near the island on Park Grove and the obstruction and/ or dangerous parking offences this may cause.   It was confirmed that the letter would be followed up by patrols undertaken by Police Community Support Officers to educate further the drivers who may park in an obstructive or dangerous manner, and take action if appropriate

Resolved:-  (1) That, for the reasons given in the report, the requests in the petition for action to be taken on Westfield Road not be acceded to.

(2) That a joint letter from RMBC and South Yorkshire Police be posted to all residents on Westfield Road and Park Grove informing them of the offence of obstructive parking and requesting that residents park more considerately.

(3)  That the lead petitioner be informed of the decision and reasons why.

(4)   That Ward Members be informed accordingly.

Ken Wheat, Transportation Unit Manager, to report.

-     to seek approval to undertake the detailed design of a signalised crossroads junction in place of the current roundabout and seek authority to consult.

Further to Minute No. 221 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Development Services held on 17^th March, 2008,                    consideration was given to a report, presented by the Senior Engineer, seeking approval to undertake the detailed design of a signalised crossroads junction in place of the current roundabout and seek authority to consult.

Reference was made to:-

-                      Further preliminary design

-                      Traffic modelling

-                      Rotherham West Central Action Plan

-                      Potential options for the form of the junction

-                      Improved pedestrian crossing and cycle facilities

-                      Preferred option and proposed alignment of the crossroads

-                      The potential to open up land for development and the need to acquire land outside of the current highway limit

-                      Preliminary costs and available funding from the LTP strategic funding

-                      Traffic management during works

-                      Road safety and accident reduction

-                      Overall aim of the scheme to improve and control traffic movement

Resolved:-  (1)  That detailed design of the signalised crossroads junction be undertaken, based on Drawing No. 126/19/TT242.

(2)  That consultation with interested groups be undertaken.

(3)  That a further report be submitted to Cabinet Member with the results of the consultation and more precise estimates of likely costs.

(4)  That authority be given to continue negotiations to any land required to deliver the proposed scheme that falls outside of the existing highway limits

Carole Smith, Strategic Property Manager, to report.

-           to consider declaring the above asset surplus to requirements.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Strategic Property Manager, seeking to declare the above-mentioned asset surplus to the requirements of the Asset Management Service and the property be placed into the Property Bank.

The site under consideration was illustrated on Appendix 1 attached to the submitted report.

It was reported that under the current lease this property was little used.  However it was reported that the Director of Housing and Neighbourhoods had indicated that this asset could be used, by way of a formal appropriation, for service delivery to support and be used by the local Tenants and Residents Association.

Resolved:- That the above-mentioned asset be declared surplus to the requirements of the Asset Management Service and placed in the Property Bank.

Greg Lindley, Partnership Implementation Officer, to report.

-           to consider removal of the bridge subject to match funding, and to note pedestrian safety measures.

Further to Minute No.  138 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Development Services held on 24th November 2008, consideration was given to a report, submitted by the Partnership Implementation Officer, updating the Cabinet Member on action taken so far and seeking approval for the removal of this bridge that acts as a major obstruction to river flow.

Reference was made to:-

-                      Detailed design proposals and costings

-                      Revised budget estimate

-                      Statutory undertakers diversion work completed

-                      Listed Building and Planning approval

-                      Highway Authority approval to the road closure

-                      Impact of the bridge removal on pedestrians and cyclists, and proposed mitigation measures

-                      Submission into the Council’s Small Capital Grants pot for additional funding

Resolved:-  (1)  That approval be given to work to remove the Don Bridge/Old Grafton Bridge,  subject to the match funding decision, as detailed in the submitted report, being agreed.

(2)  That the application to the Small Capital Grants budget for match funding be noted.

(3)  That the pedestrian safety mitigation measures proposed be noted.

(4)  That involvement of Elected Members in any publicity event organised for Yorkshire Regional Flood Defence Committee (YRFDC ) for the removal works be approved.