Agenda and minutes

Resolved:- That the minutes of the previous meeting of the Cabinet Member and Advisers for Regeneration and Development, held on 15th July, 2013, be approved as a correct record for signature by the Chairman.

Further to Minute No. 93 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member and Advisers for Regeneration and Development held on 4th February, 2013, consideration was given to a report presented by the Highways Design and Bridges Manager concerning the successful bids from the Department for Transport Pinch Point Fund for funding for amendments to (i) the M1 Junction 33, A630 Old Flatts Bridge and (ii) the A630 Pool Green roundabout, Rotherham. The submitted report sought approval for the details of the scheme at M1 Junction 33, scheduled to be implemented by the Highways Agency and also an exemption from standing order 48.2.1 (requirement to invite three tenders for a contract with an estimated value of between £50,000 and £500,000) in order that WSP Development and Transportation might be commissioned to undertake the required traffic modelling to assist with the successful delivery of these two local schemes.

Discussion took place on the traffic management implications of the construction works in respect of these two schemes.

Resolved:- (1) That the report be received and its contents noted.

(2) That the proposals to improve the capacity of the M1 Junction 33, by widening the southbound motorway off-slip and part of the circulatory carriageway be supported, in accordance with the details shown on drawing number 1043388/132/100/001 submitted and subject to satisfactory amendments to the MOVA control strategy and controller linking being agreed by the Council.

(3) That the Director of Streetpride shall exercise his delegated powers in approving an agreement under Section 4 of the Highways Act 1980, to enable the Highways Agency to undertake the appropriate works on the Local Highway Authority network.

(4) That an exemption from Standing Order 48.2.1 (requirement for contracts valued between £50,000 and £500,000) be granted and the Council shall commission WSP Development and Transportation to undertake the required scheme assessment and traffic modelling associated with these two local pinch point schemes at the M1 Junction 33 (A630 Old Flatts Bridge) and at the A630 Pool Green roundabout.

Further to previous minutes of meetings of the Cabinet Member and Advisers for Regeneration and Development (Minute No. 7 of the meeting held on 3^rd June, 2013 and Minute No. 19 of the meeting held on 1^st July, 2013) consideration was given to a report presented by the Senior Traffic Engineer concerning the receipt of a petition, containing 91 signatures, from residents of the Broom Avenue, Beechwood Road and Oakwood Drive area, objecting to the proposal to rescind the experimental closure of Broom Avenue at its junction with the A6021 Wickersley Road (opposite the junction with Middle Lane South).

The submitted report described the proposed scheme to improve road safety at the re-opened highway junction.

This petition had raised three issues, which were:-

(i) the officers’ report (considered on 3^rd June 2013) did not properly reflect the opinions of the residents of Broom Avenue and Oakwood Drive;

(ii) the same report did not consider alternatives to address the concerns of the residents of Ledsham Road;  and

(iii) the same report did not consider alternative options for changes to Broom Avenue.

Members deliberated on the contents of the report submitted to today’s meeting, the petition, Ward Councillors’ views, the feedback received and comments made by many residents as part of the public consultation exercise and also the budget and financial implications of the proposal to improve road safety in this area of Rotherham.

Detailed consideration was given to the outcome of the experimental closure of this highway junction, including the volumes of traffic reported to be using Ledsham Road. The report outlined the measures to ameliorate this amount of traffic travelling on Ledsham Road.

Having considered the various aspects of the issue, including the advice contained within the submitted report, the views expressed by Ward Councillors, by residents, together with the road traffic accident record of this area, Members concluded that there was no reasonable justification for the continued closure of the Broom Avenue junction with Wickersley Road

Resolved:- (1) That the report be received and its contents noted.

(2) That the petition be received and its contents noted.

(3) That the petition be not acceded to and the petitioners be informed accordingly.

(4) That the views expressed by local Ward Councillors on this issue be noted.

(5) That the following decisions previously made by the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Development (Minute No. 7 of the meeting held on 3^rd June, 2013 refers) be affirmed:-

(a) That the experimental closure of Broom Avenue at its junction with the A6021 Wickersley Road be rescinded and the existing barriers be removed upon completion of the improvement scheme for this junction, as described in the report now submitted; and

(b) That, further to (5)(a) above, a pedestrian refuge and realignment of the junction of Broom Avenue with the A6021 Wickersley Road, as shown on drawing No 126/17/TT232 submitted, be installed and the highway improvement scheme implemented.