Agenda and minutes

The following changes to staffing within the unit were reported:-

Secondment to the post of South Yorkshire Safer Roads Partnership Manager – Mr. Ken Wheat

Appointment to the post of Acting Transportation Unit Manager – Mr. Tom Finnegan-Smith

Resolved:-  That both officers be congratulated on their appointments and that best wishes be conveyed to Mr. Wheat.

Andrew Shearer, Transportation Planner, to report.

-           to inform Cabinet Member of proposed measures to improve accessibility to the cemetery entrance and bus stop on Ridgeway, East Herringthorpe, and to improve crossing points on Ridgeway.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Senior Engineer, detailing proposed measures to improve accessibility to the cemetery entrance and bus stop on Ridgeway, East Herringthorpe, and to improve crossing points on Ridgeway.

The proposals were summarised as follows:-

-                      A new footway link is proposed from the end of the existing footway near house number 56 to the cemetery entrance.

-                      A small extension of the existing footway to the east of the cemetery entrance is proposed to link into the existing bus stop and enable a dropped kerb crossing point to be provided across Ridgeway to an existing footway link.

-                      It is proposed to widen the existing narrow footway on the north side of Ridgeway, as indicated on the plan.

-                      Dropped kerbs and tactile paving are proposed in the locations indicated on the plan to provide improved crossing points on Ridgeway in the vicinity of the cemetery entrance.

-                      upgrade the nearby bus stop with higher kerbs to improve bus boarding and replace the old brick bus shelter with a modern glass shelter. Bus stop clearway markings will also be painted on the carriageway.

These proposals were illustrated on Drawing No. 126/17/TT93 attached to the submitted report.

It was confirmed that funding for the works was from the Local Transport Plan Integrated Transport Capital Programme 2009/10.

A request was made that dropped kerbs be provided to assist crossing Laudsdale Road and it was confirmed that, if not already included in the scheme, these could be incorporated.

Resolved:-  That approval be given for the detailed design to be undertaken and that the scheme be implemented in the 2009/10 financial year.

Paul Gibson, Senior Transportation Officer, to report.

-           to seek approval to sign up to the Department for Transport’s Cycle to Work Guarantee Scheme.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Transportation Unit Manager, seeking approval to sign up to the Department for Transport’s Cycle to Work Guarantee Scheme.  It was reported that the Corporate Management Team had supported this scheme and had referred the issue to the Cabinet Member for determination.

It was explained that the Guarantee had been launched by the DfT and it aimed to encourage employers to foster a cycling culture and make it easier for employees to cycle to and from work.

The Guarantee asked employers to put in place a series of simple, relatively low cost measures to make cycling an attractive, viable option to travel to work, together with a range of other commitments.  These commitments were detailed in the report and it was reported that the Council had already fulfilled many of these, such as the Bicycle Salary Sacrifice Scheme and proposed provision in the planned new office development.

It was further explained that the Guarantee was intended to be a “signal of intention to become cycle friendly, and was something which should be developed over time. 

A list of typical low cost improvements which could be put into place was set out in the submitted report.

Consideration was also given to the suggestion that any funding would be ring fenced to the Environment and Development Services Directorate to help to fund the salary sacrifice scheme and any staff suggestions relating to the Cycle to Work Guarantee Scheme.

Those present discussed:-

-                      how the bicycle salary sacrifice scheme operated

-                      appointment of a Cycling Champion

-                      actual use of cycle lanes

-                      complexity of the issue in encouraging a modal shift from the use of the private car

It was noted that an update on the Bicycle Salary Sacrifice Scheme 2010 would be provide for the Cabinet Member in due course.

Resolved:-  (1) That the Cycle to Work Guarantee be signed by the Council as an employer.

(2) That revenues from future Bicycle Salary Sacrifice schemes are ring fenced to the Environment and Development Services Directorate to help fund both the salary sacrifice scheme and any agreed staff suggestions relating the Cycle to Work Guarantee Scheme.

(3) That the Cycle to Work Guarantee Scheme is promoted to other employers across the Borough.

Simon Quarta, Assistant Engineer, to report.

-           to inform Cabinet Member of the outcome of the public consultation carried out about road safety proposals on the A618 Aughton Road.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Senior Engineer, informing the Cabinet Member of the outcome of the public consultation carried out about road safety proposals on the A618 Aughton Road.

It was reported that around 240 households in the immediate vicinity of the A618 Aughton Road had received a consultation leaflet and that a total of 51 responses had been received.  Local Ward Councillors, Aston-cum-Aughton Parish Council and South Yorkshire Police had also been consulted.

As a result of the consultation the original scheme had been amended and the amended proposals were illustrated on Drawing No. 126/17/TT98 attached to the submitted report.  It was pointed out that the scheme was designed to address road safety issues and it was reiterated that a residents’ parking scheme could not be considered at this location. 

Details of the anticipated cost of the works was set out in the submitted report and it was reported that, if approved, the scheme would be funded from the Local Transport Integrated Transport Capital Programmes for 2009/10 and 2010/11 and would be implemented in two phases.

The Cabinet Member referred to recent meetings he had attended with local residents and to further concerns raised which needed investigating.

Resolved:-  (1)  That, in light of the above, consideration be deferred at this time, and officers be requested to meet with residents on site to explain the scheme in detail and to receive further comments and suggestions.

(2)  That following (1) above, a further report be presented to the next meeting of the Cabinet Member.