HIGHCLERE PARISH COUNCIL

HIGHCLERE PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of a meeting of the Parish Council held in Highclere Village Hall on Monday 26 March 2001 for the purpose of considering Traffic Calming Proposals and Planning applications.

Present

Councillor Mrs S Roberts, Chairman

Councillor I. Davidson

Councillor T. Farmer

Councillor J Pearson

Apologies for Absence

Councillor I Worth

Also present

Senior Engineer from Hampshire County Council: Graham Clifford

Borough Councillor: Patrick Hedgeland

Parishioners: Ray East, Ron Snipp, David Evans, and Robert Wood.

54/01 TRAFFIC CALMING

The Chairman welcomed Graham Clifford and explained that the proposed scheme for traffic calming along the A343 was available for inspection on the website and at the Red House pub for one month until 19^th March. She expressed the Council's gratitude to Mandy and Tony Cosgrove, the landlord of the Red House and the Clerk was asked to write and thank them for their support. Parishioners were requested to pass comments to the Council and twenty one responses were received. Five replies want all measures implemented and only one reply completely rejects the scheme. The other responses highlight proposals that give cause for concern. The Councillors' opinions reflected the same concerns which were then debated.

One resident expressed doubt that the gateway system proposed would succeed.

Graham Clifford told the meeting that several schemes with "Gateways" were already working most successfully

There was concern from several people about over-use of coloured reflective backings on signs

G.C. agreed with Councillors that these could be limited to the gateway signs and temporary signs warning of change of road layout.

Some parishioners disliked white paint being used on the walls of Seven Stones Bridge.

G.C. agreed with Councillors that only the ends of the bridge wall should be painted white. He pointed out that the railings did not meet safety standards and would eventually be replaced with safer railings that would be painted white.

Concern was expressed about over-use of verge markers/reflector posts and that they would be dangerous if hit following an accident.

G.C. explained that this did not mean solid hoarding with chevrons but small individual posts only 750mm high. Councillors agreed to accept this proposal within the scheme

Various alternative suggestions for the Mount Road junction were given including a mini roundabout.

The Councillors agreed that they were happy to accept the proposals outlined, with the exception of removing the Andover-Newbury sign which they considered should be retained.

G.C. felt that he would like to look again at this junction. A mini roundabout was however ruled out as it required additional lighting and much extra funding.

Concern was expressed that new carriage-way lining would make it difficult to park outside the village hall.

G.C pointed out the lines he had painted on the road surface outside the village hall to demonstrate the position of the new lines. By narrowing the carriage-way they gave a greater margin at the side of the road and therefore offered more safety. Where there is an access on to the road these lines will be "dotted"

A preference for a mini roundabout at Star lane instead of traffic islands has been expressed. Another concern was expressed that if islands are erected, a "buff" road surface around the traffic islands could be too urbanising.

The mini roundabout had been discussed earlier in relation to Mount Road and could not be installed without lighting and extra cost. All Councillors agreed that islands as proposed should be installed. G.C. advised that the "buff" surface was anti-skid and a good visual aid, and Councillors then agreed that this should be applied.

A sign has been suggested at Flexford Close which some considered to be unnecessary additional signage.

Councillors discussed this and those familiar with the junction argued in favour of the sign. A vote was taken and it was agreed to accept this proposal as part of the scheme.

One resident disapproved of increasing the size of the sign for Hollington Lane,

G.C. said the increase in the size of the sign would be only slight (approximately 10%) and awareness of a side road helps to slow down the traffic. Councillors accepted this proposal.

A query was raised as to the design of any replacement railings.

G.C. stated that new safety regulations governed the design which however was not too dissimilar to the existing rails.

All other proposals within the scheme were accepted. There were however further measures suggested which were also discussed.

A suggestion that road humps and traffic lights were needed

This suggestion had no support from Councillors

Requests were made for a 30mph speed limit along the road.

G.C. advised that the police only look at a reducing the speed limit on a road such as the A343 after traffic calming has initially reduced the speed. He gave as an example the village of "Hursley" in which traffic calming had reduced the speed to such an extent that the road was given a 30mph speed limit.

Requests were made for speed cameras along the road

G.C. advised that cameras are not totally effective as once outside the "boxes" drivers will speed again. Hampshire County Council only operate a few cameras at accident black spots, and Highclere is not considered a black spot. The cameras are administered by the police and as such are expensive both in cost and manpower.

Concern was expressed about the road south of the village outside the gateway.

G.C. confirmed that new surface dressing now being undertaken covered not only the road within the gateway but extended beyond. This new surface was quieter and would give vehicles a better surface grip.

A suggestion was made that Hollington Lane become a one way road

There was no support for this idea

A request was made for pavements to be made at the same time

By majority the Councillors agreed that this should be a separate project for the future

One person has requested cycle lanes

G.C. pointed out that the new edge of carriage-way markings being positioned further into the road will give more space for cyclists at the side of the road

Requests have also been made for crossings (zebras)

G.C. advised this could not be done within this scheme due to cost, but that they were always a problem. It was difficult to decide where to locate them and people would not go out of their way to walk down the road to a crossing.

Councillor Tom Farmer suggested that a further "gateway" be painted on the road surface outside the village hall.

Councillors considered this was a good idea although Councillor Davidson expressed concern about cars being parked at the front of the hall.

A vote was taken and it was decided to request that this measure be included in the scheme.

The question was asked how often would the white paint work be re-done

G.C. said this was down to maintenance department at Hook who monitor the need, but that painting the bridge and railings could also be undertaken by the Parish, as was the case in Cheriton.

SUMMING UP

Graham Clifford advised the meeting that the cost of the measures totaled around £30,000 but that the Parish would not have to contribute more than the £2,000 that had already been set aside. Road surface dressing which was the first stage, was already being undertaken and the majority of the proposals would be implemented in June if the Council accepted the scheme promptly. There was a possibility that the traffic Islands for Star Lane might be added at a later date but he would endeavour to have them completed at the same time.

Blindman's Gate crossroads was the subject of a separate road safety survey and a scheme for this will soon be presented to the Council. The Council would not have to contribute towards this further scheme.

The Chairman thanked Graham and his colleague Jim Soutar for all the hard work they had done and the Clerk was instructed to write and formally accept the proposals.

55/01 PLANNING APPLICATIONS

The following planning applications were considered:

BDB49586 Fordfields Deadmore Bottom, amendment to previous application

Conversion of garage, room in roof space, new dormer windows and 3 bay carport and enclosure of agricultural land into domestic curtilage

The amendment comprised: Description of land to include the enclosure of land to domestic curtilage: Redrawing of site boundary and other land under the applicant's control: Reorientation of car port/tractor store and reinstatement of domestic fence along the Western boundary

NO OBJECTION - subject to conditions. Comments as previous plan.

BDB49877 Falkland Farm, Andover Road, Wash Water. Amendment to previous application to erect a steel framed barn on the site of a previously demolished barn.

The applicant has made a statement to the case officer setting out his justification of the building. He has confirmed use of the building was required only for storing hay. Councillors therefore reconsidered the original objection and it was decided by a majority vote that the Council's comments should now be:

NO OBJECTION - Subject to the condition that a restriction is placed on use of the barn which shall only be for storing hay.

THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS THE MEETING WAS BROUGHT TO A CLOSE