Agenda item

The Committee considered a Highway Footway and Road Safety Investment Programme Update report which provided Members with an update on the current investment programme in relation to road safety and associated infrastructure.

The report apprised members with information on the following aspects:-

·       Local Transport Plan / Local Transport Fund

·       Safe Routes in communities

·       Active Travel Act and Local Authority Obligations

·       Road Safety Improvement and Footway Improvement Programme

·       Road Safety Grant (Capital and Revenue)

·       Traffic Management and Accident Prevention Programme

Set out within the report was a summary of funding for road safety related and other infrastructure schemes for 2018/19 and the prioritised programme for road safety, footway and other infrastructure.

The following questions/issues were raised on the report:-

·         Reference was made to the Electronic Vehicle (EV) Charge Points.  It was asked if Members could receive a map which symbolised where the EV Charge Points were located.  The Transport Strategy and Infrastructure Manager acknowledged that the current provision of EV charging points was limited and that in terms of the bid it was intended to increase the provision to be available on a further 25 sites.  Upon success of this bid a map denoting all EV charging points would be shared with members of the Committee.

In response to a further query regarding input from Town and Community Councils, the Transport Strategy and Infrastructure Manager explained that whilst the bid for 2018/19 had already been submitted input from Town and Community Councils would be welcomed.

Concern was raised regarding the lack of EV charge points located in rural areas.  The Transport Strategy and Infrastructure Manager stated that next tranche of bids would include the widening of the EV charging provision into rural areas.

·         It was asked if the increased usage of mobility scooters had been taken into consideration, the Transport Strategy and Infrastructure Manager explained that the planning, design, approval, construction and maintenance of active travel routes in Wales must be done so in accordance with the Active Travel (Wales) Act 2013 Design Guidance.  Designing the travel networks using the design model would ensure accessibility to all and included the maintenance of the accessibility to tracks for all legitimate users, including all types of cycle, pedestrians and wheelchair/mobility scooter users.

·         Reference was made to the section relating to Safer Routes in Communities.  It was raised that the road outside Model School, Carmarthen was an excellent example of a safe route to school, due to the traffic calming measures in place which included a traffic speed restriction of 20mph.  However, despite the traffic calming measures being in place it was commented that much of the traffic exceeded the 20mph restriction.  The Transport Strategy and Infrastructure Manager explained that in locations where lower speed limits had been introduced, it was envisioned that the measures in place would adopt a self-enforcing tactic.  However, should this prove to be unsuccessful, a case would be put to the Speed Limit Working Group.

·         It was strongly emphasised that a National Speed Limit of 60mph was not acceptable through small rural villages, it therefore asked, if it was possible to set a blanket speed limit of 30mph through all small rural villages?  The Highways and Transportation Manager explained that the set National Speed Limit for roads with street lighting was 30mph.

However, the current speed limit regime enabled traffic authorities to set a local speed limit in situations where local needs and conditions suggest a speed limit which is different from the respective national speed limit.  In addition, speed limits should be evidence-led and self-explaining and would primarily seek to reinforce people's assessment of what is a safe speed to travel.

·         In response to a query raised in relation to the Integrated Network Map (INM) that was submitted in 2017 and approved by the Welsh Government.  The Transport Strategy and Infrastructure Manager explained that the INM was set out in relation to the number of built up areas of a population in excess of 2k, schemes within semi-rural areas were widely spread throughout the County, details were provided within the report thereto.  Furthermore, whilst the schemes were prescribed from Welsh Government which currently concentrate on urban areas, meetings had taken placed to emphasise that many rural areas within Wales could benefit from such schemes.

·         Reference was made to the Road Safety Education and Training - National Standards Cycle Training.  It was queried if any evidence was available which would demonstrate that the training work with the children had increased the uptake of cycling to school.  The Transport Strategy and Infrastructure Manager explained whilst it was difficult to measure the direct uptake, one of the key areas in the safer routes to communities was to educate both year 6 children and adults in an effort to encourage them to opt for cycling as the method of active travel to their chosen secondary school.

·         Concern was raised regarding the increase in school related traffic and the chaos that this generated during peak drop off and pick up times. In an attempt to alleviate the traffic problems, it was asked, if it was possible to stagger school’s start and finish times?  The Transport Strategy and Infrastructure Manager stated whilst this had been successfully trialled in England, it was difficult to ascertain the corporate position in terms of the shared school transport services.  The Transport Strategy and Infrastructure Manager stated that he would discuss this option further internally.  A Member of the Committee raised that School Governors had authority to adjust school start times and finish times.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the Highway Footway and Road Safety Investment Programme Update report be received.