Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillors Cornes and Robinson.

To consider the minutes of the meeting of this Committee held on 3 November 2011.

Resolved:-   That the minutes of the meeting of this committee held on 3 November 2011 be approved as a correct record.

To receive declarations of interest from Members on items included on the agenda.

There were none.

It was indicated that consideration had been given under the County Council’s scheme of delegation to the representations/objections received during the public advertisement of the required Traffic Regulation Order and approval had been given to continue with the scheme.  All those responding to the public advertisement were to be advised of the decision to proceed and the reasons for that decision.

In response to the representations/objections received it was now proposed, subject to consultation and approvals/support to:-

(i)         Extend the permit parking area to include that section of North Street between Hassell Street and Brunswick Street and

(ii)        Amend the proposed waiting restrictions in Bankside to introduce limited waiting at school start and finish times in accordance with a request made by the school.

The next stages of the procedure to be followed to achieve the above were outlined at the meeting.

The petition requesting that Princess Street be included in the scheme had been received but it was considered that its inclusion together with adjacent streets would make the zone too large.  It was agreed that Princess Street could be considered for inclusion in any future scheme.

Resolved:-   (a)       That the information be received.

                        (b)       That a report outlining the options for the allocation of parking permits in this residents parking zone, including visitor parking permits, be submitted to the next meeting for consideration.

A schedule giving details of requests for new or amended Traffic Regulation Orders was circulated at the meeting for consideration.

Resolved:-   That the information be received and that Tilstone Close be added to the list.

Reference was made to the request made in respect of Princess Street that had been dealt with earlier in the agenda for the meeting.

It was agreed that the request made for Sidmouth Avenue should be looked at again although it was likely that any decision on it would be that it was not suitable for implementation of a Residents Parking Zone.

Resolved:-   That the information be received.

The committee considered a request from Joan Walley MP that action be taken to alleviate ongoing parking problems being experienced by residents of Tilstone Close and Poplar Drive, Kidsgrove in the vicinity of St. Thomas’ School.

The current parking restrictions in that area were outlined at the meeting.

Although there appeared to be no justification to warrant bringing this matter forward as a priority it was agreed that the installation of an additional bollard on the pavement should be considered to prevent the parking of cars in the area near to the school entrance.

It was also felt that more visits by the Council’s Civil Enforcement Officers may also help to resolve the problem.

Resolved:-   That the above action be approved and Mrs Joan Walley MP be advised accordingly.

Receipt was reported of a petition complaining of parking problems being experienced by residents of properties in Parkstone Avenue.

Subsequent monitoring by the County Council of the alleged parking problems had not substantiated the claims made by the petitioners and, as such, no further action was to be taken.

Resolved:-  That the information be received.

The committee received an update on works proposed in the town centre as part of the Public Realm project.

It was indicated that works on the taxi rank in Ironmarket, opposite to the Queens Gardens, had commenced and that works at the bus station to provide an additional stand were due to start after the end of March 2012.

The earliest possible date for implementation of the works to provide a new taxi rank in lower High Street was July.

Works to Hassell Street and the associated changes to Friars Street were scheduled to start in August and would last for about 3 months.

Resolved:-   That the information be received.

To consider any business which is urgent within the meaning of Section 100B(4) of the Local Government Act 1972

The Chairman agreed that the following matters should be treated as urgent business.

(i)         Speeding Vehicles in The Avenue, Newcastle

The committee was advised that a petition drawing attention to the high speed of vehicles using The Avenue and asking for traffic calming measures was currently being prepared.

It was stated that because the problem was one of speed the matter could be dealt with the County Council’s Divisional Highway Programme and the Chairman agreed to pursue this matter with County officers.

Resolved:-   That the information be received and the action proposed by the Chairman be noted.

(ii)        Progress on Priority Schemes

In response to a question from a member the committee received a verbal update on the progress made on the previously approved priority  schemes at The Drive,Wulstan Drive, Newcastle, Stephens Way/Benjamins Way, Bignall End and Old Butt Lane, Kidsgrove.

Resolved:-   That the information be received.

(ii)        Cyclists in the Pedestrianised Area of the Town Centre

The committee was advised of concerns raised by the Civic Society about nuisance caused by cyclists to other users of the above area including the Grosvenor roundabout.

It was indicated that as this was a ”moving traffic” issue it was a matter for action by the Police.

Resolved:     That the information be received and the Civic Society advised accordingly.