Officers will be on hand to present information on Highways and Transport related issues in the local area.
Minutes:
Mark Wills, Head of Transport Strategy gave a brief presentation about the highways and transport department within Leicester City Council, the value of the transport assets within the City, and the highways and transport related issues in the area.
The following issues were covered:
· Car parking in the area;
· Speeding Traffic and the possibility of speeding surveys;
· Traffic calming measures such as road humps, vehicle activated signage and safety cameras;
· The condition of the roads and footways in the area;
· Parking Enforcement;
· Public Transport and the new city centre terminus, the Quality Bus Partnership between Leicester City Council and the Bus Companies, quality bus corridors and park and ride;
· Population increases and the impact on the transport system;
· The Transport Plan; and
· Verge Hardening.
Councillor Bhavsar, in response to several spontaneous questions, requested that any further questions be saved until the end of the presentation.
In response to a residents question about funding for park and ride in the Birstall area and rumours that Morrisons may have been purchasing the land, Mark Wills, Head of Transport Strategy confirmed that Leicester City Council and Leicestershire County Council had applied to the Government for additional funding to allow the park and ride scheme to be developed. It was also clarified that there wasn’t a specific condition on the planning consent that required the builder, Jelson Homes, to develop the park and ride scheme. Further, the economic downturn has lead to Jelson Homes being unable to contribute to the development of the scheme at the time.
In response to residents concerns about the condition of the roads in the area, it was stated that road surveys were conducted on main roads and bus corridors first. Work was also reported to be planned for the Abbey Lane area. Further, a new Rapid Response team was in place to respond to reports of road disrepair.
Residents and Councillors also raised concerns about:
· Abbey, being in the top 2% of nationally deprived areas, continued to be neglected and ignored;
· What action was being taken on Halifax Drive to tackle speeding traffic and the inadequate crossing; and
· The danger caused by cyclists using the pathways on Parker Drive.
In response to some of the issues raised, PC Simon Walters explained:
· That as a partner the Police are required to get involved in such issues;
· Two referrals had been received, one in relation to Halifax Drive and speeding traffic. Mobile speed detection devices had been used which had only led to 2 fixed penalty notices being issued. Feedback from residents had suggested the time of the speed surveys was not right, and in response the timing would be changed;
· Strict guidelines on speeding checks were in place i.e. that Officers must wear a high visibility jacket and hat so that be identifiable to drivers;
· That enforcement action was taken alongside educational activities by the Police Community Support Officers; and
· That Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras would be used also.
In response to Councillor Marriott questioning whether the Community Meeting could provide support to address any traffic problems, PC Walters confirmed that money had been allocated to purchase additional equipment and take action, and that further cost implications would become clearer over the next few months.