Agenda item

Officers will be on hand present information on Highways and Transport related issues in the local area.

Andrew Thomas, Head of Traffic Management was introduced to the meeting and gave a presentation on highways issues in Leicester and within the Castle Ward.

The main points in Andrew’s presentation were as follows:

Parking

• The Council were aware that there was a general lack of parking in the area;
• There was competition for road space – there were Victorian Roads in Leicester and the Castle Ward that were not designed for cars;

• Enforcement sometimes presented difficulties – in the past enforcement signs had been stolen;
• People who parked on the pavements and double yellow lines caused further problems;
• Civil Enforcement Officers could issue parking tickets;
• Police powers could be used under certain circumstances, for example where an obstruction was being caused; and
• Measures were available to address specific problems. These included:

1.      Verge hardening;

2.      Lay-bys;

3.      Residents’ parking schemes: Andrew explained that a residents consultation in South Highfields had demonstrated that a Residents Parking Scheme in the area was wanted, but a similar consultation in Clarendon Park had shown that such a scheme was not wanted there; and

4.      A system of ‘H Marking’, on the roads in front of peoples’ homes so that only the householder could park there.

Speeding Traffic

• The Council were in the process of introducing 20 mph speed limits in residential areas;
• In Avenue Road Extension, bollards which had been designed to look like children would be installed and the road would be monitored to see if these were effective in slowing down traffic; 

• The council could carry out a speed survey if residents felt there were problems with speeding;
• Vehicle Activated Signs - Andrew explained that these were effective, although some residents were concerned that they did not work;
• Speed cameras and traffic calming could also be used to slow down traffic; and
• Andrew added that during the Information Fair a member of the public had highlighted the issue of speeding traffic on Queens Road.

Public Transport

• The Council encouraged greater bus usage – by 2026 it was estimated that there would be a 25% increase in the number of houses in Leicester and the Council needed to find ways to cope with this. Andrew added that the Council would welcome a tram service in the south of the city;
• The bus companies were privately owned and as such the Council had limited influence over them. However, as part of the Quality Bus Partnership, the Council had regular meetings with Arriva and First Bus; and
• The Council provided subsidies on routes that were not economically viable and some of the income raised from parking enforcement was put towards concessionary bus fares and subsidies.

Condition of the roads and potholes

In respect of the condition of roads and footways, Andrew also mentioned that there was a Rapid Response Team, who could be called out to deal with urgent problems. Members of the public could report problems by phoning 0116 2527001.

Andrew opened the floor for comments and questions, and the following points were made:

• Can something be done about the traffic lights at the London Road/Victoria Park Junction because drivers have to stop at the lights after they have entered the roundabout?

Andrew responded that he would look into this and if the questioner left their details he would send a written response.

• On Queen’s Road, block paving has been dug up by a Utility Company and replaced with tarmac!

Andrew explained that the Utility Companies would normally be expected to reinstate to the original finish and he suspected that the work was still on-going and that the finish was a temporary measure.

• An unofficial taxi rank has appeared outside a business on the Queens Road.

Andrew responded that he would raise this issue with the Licensing Department.

• Is it possible to arrange for an integrated bus pass for both Arriva and First Bus?

Andrew explained that the Council had tried without success to get an integrated service. The bus companies were run for profit and were in competition with each other. Councillor Kitterick added that the Council had also tried to persuade the bus companies to introduce ‘Smart Cards’ but had not met with any success either.

• There are already a lot of cars in the Clarendon Park area and there are more planning applications to build extra houses and flats. Does the Planning Department consult with Highways?

Andrew explained that the Planning Service did consult with the Highways Department, but the Highways Department could not always influence developments as much as they would like.

• Are people allowed to park on footways?

Andrew and Councillor Kitterick jointly replied that generally speaking vehicles should not be parked on a footway as this impeded pedestrians. The Police had a responsibility to deal with any vehicle that was causing an obstruction, and the Council could take enforcement action against footway parking where there were double yellow lines or single yellow lines (if the vehicle was parked on the footway within the restricted times).

• There is a GP surgery on Queens’ Road where people park very selfishly. There is a car park for patients’ use but they park outside my house and block my driveway.

Andrew responded that in this case, ‘H Marking’ might help, although the Civil Enforcement Officer might issue a parking ticket because he would not know whether any car was legitimately allowed to park there, but the householder could in turn appeal against the ticket and would receive a refund. Andrew also suggested that if the Police were in the area they might be able to go to the surgery in question and take appropriate action where any vehicle was causing an obstruction. Andrew explained that the Local Authorities had been given powers to use ‘H Marks’ and asked members of the public to contact him if they were interested in having one outside their home.

• The Stoneygate Conservation Area is within the Castle Ward. What is the policy for replacing pavements with tarmac within the area?

Councillor Kitterick commented that this was also an issue in West Avenue where trees had forced up paving stones. To alleviate any possible trip hazard the buckling paving stones had been replaced with tarmac.  Andrew added that it was difficult to find a solution to removing such trip hazards and that the Council tried to provide a safe footway but had a limited budget to work within.  Councillor Kitterick explained that there was no Highway Policy for Conservation Areas, to deal with specific matters such as this.

• Should we spend Council money on coloured road markings on bus lanes?

Andrew explained that the markings were based on national design standards and were designed to encourage people to respect bus lanes. It was felt that clear markings were needed so that there was no excuse for drivers who violate the bus lane.

Andrew was thanked for his presentation.