There was a change of membership for this meeting: Councillor Grimston replaced Councillor Johnson.

There were no disclosures of interests.

The minutes of the meeting held on 20 January 2011 to be submitted for signature. (All minutes are available on the Council’s website.)

The minutes of the meeting held on 20 January 2011 were submitted and signed subject to the following amendments:

HH35-10/11

In the last sentence the District Manager had referred to ‘salt bins’ and not salt.

HH38-10/11

County Councillor Giles-Medhurst made an amendment on this minute number (Section 106) –

“That a report on the use of the funds from West Herts College and the Leggatts Campus be brought forward.”

There were no matters arising.

Report of the District Manager

This report advises Members of the current status of petitions, objections to traffic regulation orders and informs the Panel of any other local issues of inmportance.

The Panel received a report of the District Manager setting out the current status of petitions and any objections to Traffic Regulations Orders.

Petition – Courtlands Drive/A411 Hempstead Road junction

The Chair said that he was surprised that the analysis of the video survey would take several months.  The District Manager responded that this was in line with the terms of the company.  The company had been asked to analyse the data and report on any behavioural issues.

The County Councillor for Nascot Park asked whether the petitioner had been informed of the current action taking place.  The District Manager stated that he would contact the petitioner.

The District Manager advised that he would ask the company to prepare the results for the July meeting.

RESOLVED –

1.         that the District Manager contacts the petitioner to explain the current status of the petition.

2.         survey results to be distributed to and discussed at a separate meeting with lead petitioner, local ward councillors, and officers)

Petition for permanent pedestrian crossing on Horseshoe Lane near northerly junction with Boundary Way

The Vice-Chair noted the report but commented that there were proposals to change the bus stop near this location.  He asked officers to ensure that the location of the new bay should be confirmed before any costs were incurred for the crossing.

The District Manager responded that he was aware of the bus stop proposals and it was felt there would be sufficient room for both the bus stop and crossing.  He said that he would ask for the findings to be co-ordinated. 

The Chair agreed that it was important to identify that there was no suitable position sooner rather than later.

RESOLVED –

that the report be noted.

Report of the Network Manager

This report updates Members on the current list of highway adoptions in the Watford area and reports progress on the Lower High Street Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (TRO).

The Panel received a report of the Network Manager which updated Members on the current list of highway adoptions in the Watford area and the progress on the Lower High Street Experimental Traffic Regulation Order.

RESOLVED –

1.         that the report be noted.

Report of the Area Highway Development Control Manager

This report advises Members of the current status of S106 (planning obligation) contributions held by Hertfordshire County Council for use on highways and transportation measures in the Borough and seeks Members’ comments on the proposed use of the funds in the financial year April 2011 – March 2012.

The Panel received a report of the Area Highway Development Control Manager including the financial position and proposed uses for Section 106 monies held by Hertfordshire County Council. 

A County Councillor commented that he recognised the report represented a lot of work by officers, however, he always found it to be confusing. 

The Vice-Chair referred to Appendix B and noted that this had been produced as a result of an officer steering group.  He was not aware Members had had an opportunity to discuss the schemes although this had been requested.  He was concerned that if the Joint Member Panels were disbanded Members would have no input.  He noted that the funding for the Watford Junction bus interchange had previously been increased and it appeared to have been increased again.  The figures for the Clarendon Road pedestrian improvement scheme were inconsistent with previous information.  There were two schemes missing from the list.

The Chair said that he echoed the Vice-Chair’s concerns.  County divisions were often located along major roads.  Strategic schemes tended to affect more than one county division.  He was concerned that Members would have no input in the future.

The District Manager advised that it had recently become more important to use the Section 106 funding for schemes as other budgets diminished.  He would report back Members’ concern that officers had agreed funding for some local schemes but not others and Members were not aware.  He informed the Panel that it was not clear how much funding was required for strategic schemes.  The strategic schemes were seen to benefit the whole of Watford.  Some of the applications for funding were only for the preparation of schemes.  Many schemes could take two years to get to the construction stage.  It was possible that the Clarendon Road scheme might require more funding for future stages.  Schemes were often funded by more than one source.  With reference to the missing schemes referred to by the Vice-Chair, the District manager advised that it was not certain the Dalton Way scheme would be progressing further and that further discussions needed to be held regarding the Lower High Street footpath.

Following a question from the Vice-Chair about the amounts received from planning schemes, the officer advised that these were the original amounts received and were not adjusted to include interest.  He explained that one amount acquired through Section 106 had expired but interest had been granted.

It was agreed that officers would prepare an information note for all Members, so it was clear what contributions were being reserved for which schemes, including strategic schemes.

A Member referred to the money gained from the Leggatts Campus site.  She said that this area had some of the worst roads.  She felt that the increase in houses would mean the traffic would get worse.  She asked officers to investigate traffic calming on Old North Western Avenue.

The District Manager informed the Panel that officers were aware of the problems regarding Old North Western Avenue.  A traffic  ...  view the full minutes text for item 51.

Report of the Lead Assistant District Manager

This report provides information about local works programmes that are client managed by Herts Highways Watford area team including the Discretionary Budget, approved section 106 funds for local schemes and the Super CAT2 maintenance budget.

The Panel received a report of the Lead Assistant District Manager which provided information about local works programmes that are client managed by the Hertfordshire Highways Watford area team, including Discretionary Budget, approved Section 106 funds for local schemes and the Super CAT2 maintenance budget.

Discretionary Programme 2010/11

Following a County Councillor’s question about the inclusion of Alexandra Road in the 20 mph zone, the District Manager explained the existing speeds were too high for it to become a 20 mph limit without first designing and consulting on traffic calming measures to reduce speeds below 25mph. This was in line with Hertfordshire County Council’s Speed Management Strategy.  He clarified that the phrase ‘un-accrued works costs’ referred to schemes which had not been completed during the relevant financial year and could not be carried forward.

            A Borough Councillor referred to paragraph 2.6 in the report and the reference to Park Avenue.  He stated that following the closure of the doctor’s surgery, fewer cars were parked in the road and traffic speeds had increased between Rickmansworth Road and Mildred Avenue.  The section between Mildred Avenue and Whippendell Road was not too much of a concern.

A County Councillor commented that one option had been to close the access from Rickmansworth Road.

The District Manager added that there would be more than one solution.  A feasibility study would look at all options and then why certain options would be ruled out.

Members felt that a no entry sign would not be a suitable option.

RESOLVED –

1.         that Members’ comments be noted.

Discretionary Programme 2011/12

The District Manager advised that a couple more schemes had been added to the list since the last meeting and officers had considered the other schemes in more detail.  He informed the Panel that the 20 mph schemes were nearly complete. Fairview Drive would be included in this year’s programme and should be completed in the summer.

Scheme 16 – Greenbank Road

The District Manager informed the Panel that the traffic and parking management measures near Holyrood School in Greenbank Road had been added to the list of schemes.  The bulk of the cost was to cover the relocation of the bus lay-by to ensure that parents could safely drop off and pick up the children.  The inclusion of this scheme meant that the overall budget exceeded £100,000.  He was not aware of the final budget that had been approved for discretionary budgets but he did not believe it would be in excess of £100,000.

The Vice-Chair said that the budget had been set and that there had been no reduction to the discretionary budget for 2011/12.

Scheme 2 – Buckingham Road

The Borough Councillor for Callowland stated that the item regarding the planters and seats for Buckingham Road could be removed.  Residents had requested the removal of the previous seating.  The Vice-Chair added that the block paving for Buckingham Road needed to be protected from vehicles driving over it.

Waterfields Recreational Ground  ...  view the full minutes text for item 52.

Report of the Forward Works Programme Manager

This is an information note; the programme will be sent out in early April 2011.

The Panel received a report of the Forward Works Programme Manager.  It was noted that the reports would need to be circulated to the Panel in April once they had been prepared by officers.

Report of the Lead Assistant District Manager

This item summarises progress on the delivery of the Integrated Works Programme and other programmed works on the highway network in and around the borough carried out by Hertfordshire County Council, Watford Borough Council and third parties.

The Panel received a report of the Lead Assistant District Manager which summarised progress on the delivery of the Integrated Works Programme.

Active Works Bulletin

A County Councillor noted that the list did not include the Saracens’ games to be played at Vicarage Road Stadium.  It also did not include any road closures for street parties.

The District Manager explained that the list covered the next six weeks.

Casualty Reduction Schemes

The District Manager informed the Panel that the majority of schemes were nearing completion.  It was possible that the Queens Avenue might not go ahead.

The County Councillor for Callowland Leggatts referred to the St Albans Road and Bushey Mill Lane scheme.  He asked whether any other works were due to take place other than lighting.  The District Manager advised that he would check this information for the Councillor.

Watford Borough Council Highway Works

The Transport and Infrastructure Section Head informed the Panel that the Cassiobury Controlled Parking Zone evaluation was under way.  The Parking Services Manager had retired.

Members wished the Parking Services Manager a happy retirement and thanked her for her hard work.

It was noted that the report should have referred to Lavinia Avenue and not Lavinia Close.

The Vice-Chair referred to the parking problems experienced at Woodside Leisure Centre.  The Transport and Infrastructure Section Head advised that he had spoken to one of the Ward Councillors and further information would be provided to the Panel at the next meeting.

Watford Programme 2010-11

A County Councillor noted that the South West Herts Cycling Study made no reference to consultation with the Joint Member Panel.

The District Manager advised that all Members would be consulted.

Update on Watford Junction National Station Improvement Scheme

The consultant to the Passenger Transport Unit updated the Panel on the latest situation regarding the station improvements.  Further information would be provided at the next meeting.  He clarified the location of the Blue Badge drop off area.  Immediately in front of the station there would be a pedestrian area.  There would also be a blue badge drop off point in the long stay car park, which was near platforms 9 and 10.

The Chair thanked officers for arranging the special Members’ meeting to discuss the station improvements. 

Intelligent Transport Scheme update

The ITS Manager gave a presentation about Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS).  This included variable message signs, car park guidance systems, CCTV and automatic number plate recognition.  A Traffic Control Centre had been set up as a pilot.  Real-time passenger information could be used to inform passengers.  It required cross-boundary co-ordination.  Web and mobile phone applications were being developed to inform passengers.

Following a question from the Vice-Chair about the consultation on the location of signs, the ITS Manager informed the Panel that there had been discussions with the Network Managers.  He acknowledged that errors had been made with the location of the sign in Pinner Road.  Consultation had taken place with local residents but it was questionable whether it had been  ...  view the full minutes text for item 54.

Report of the Programmes and Strategy Manager

This report informs the Panel of the annual review of the South West Herts Plan which took place recently.

The Panel received a report of the Programmes and Strategy Manager informing Members of the annual review of the South West Herts Plan which had recently taken place. 

A Borough Councillor said that he was confused as this document was the annual report.  The next review was not due to take place until 2013.

RESOLVED –

1.         that the contents of the South West Herts Plan Annual Review be noted.

Report of the District Manager

This report advises the Panel of the Performance of Hertfordshire Highways in the Borough of Watford.

The Panel received a report of the District Manager who advised on the performance of Hertfordshire Highways in the Borough of Watford. 

RESOLVED –

1.         that the report be noted.

·               Tuesday 12 July 2011

·               Tuesday 12 July 2011