Agenda and minutes

(Assistant to the Chief Executive). To declare interests in any items on the agenda.

In considering whether to declare a personal or a prejudicial interest under the Code of Conduct, Overview & Scrutiny members are asked pay particular attention to paragraph 11 of the Code in addition to the more familiar requirements.

This requires the declaration of a personal and prejudicial interest in any matter before an OS Committee which relates to a decision of or action by another Committee or Sub Committee of the Council, a Joint Committee or Joint Sub Committee in which the Council is involved and of which the Councillor is also a member.

Paragraph 11 does not refer to Cabinet decisions or attendance at an OS meeting purely for the purpose of answering questions or providing information on such a matter.

No declarations of interest were made.

To consider and agree the notes of the meeting of the Panel held on 9 December 2008.

The notes from 9 December 2008 were agreed as a correct  record.

(Chairman/Lead Officer) The Overview and Scrutiny Committee has agreed the Terms of Reference of this Panel and associated work programme. This is attached. The Panel are asked at each meeting to review both documents.

The Terms of Reference and Work Programme were noted.

To note and comment on the attached document produced by Essex County Council.

This item was deferred to this meeting from the December 2008 meeting.

David Sprunt, the Principal Transportation Co-ordinator at Essex County Council, gave a short presentation to the Panel on the draft strategy. He emphasised that they just wanted comments for now, as no commitments had been made on any specific measures, although some early work had been carried out on cattle grids before the introduction of cattle to the forest.

Safer Crossing Points – there were a number of ideas to comment on, and a number of different solutions could be used according to the situation. There may be some need for equestrian solutions at these points.

Other measures proposed were: reducing the speed limits, introducing average speed cameras, installation of Pegasus crossings, flashing signs (flashes up if you exceed the speed limit) and gateways - to label the edge of the forest.

Road closures - it was proposed that some of the smaller roads would be closed off and effectively turned into bridal ways. There was also the possibility of ‘quiet lanes’ to be put in as a network (not individually). This is where local people agree to use a road in a caring, sharing manor (keeping to the speed limit etc.) and protecting the character of that road.

Public Transport – providing buses to take people into the forest; this would need some sort of financial support to keep them running.

This consultation was the first step in the process; there would be public consultation on the proposals and then an agreement in principle. There would then be further consultation on the individual measures proposed. There was money at present for highway improvements over the next three years. Any measures taken would have specific consultation undertaken.

Councillor Frankel agreed with the basic principles and the need to cut down the traffic. However, he did have some problems with some aspects of the strategy:

• Slowing down traffic can cause more congestion, which in turn can cause more environmental damage.
• Epping New Road was built as a new road (in the late 1800’s) through the forest, one of the few new roads since Roman times. By 1969 it was not thought fit to carry traffic and in 1974 there were concerns raised about the amount of traffic going through the forest.
• It was feasible that some of the smaller roads could be closed.
• The area had wanted a north facing slip road at Loughton; it had not happened then but it should be included on the plan.
• He was not happy about the cattle grids as they had a potential for causing accidents, i.e. horses who bolt and posing a hazard for cyclists.
• A number of the crossing points would have to be lit.
• There was a natural speed to the roads, and he thought that 40mph was a little low.

Mr Sprunt commented that congestion and slower speeds tended to occur at the roundabouts, and had little effect on the other roads. As for the M11 slipway, as an authority ECC did not have control of such schemes. This had  ...  view the full minutes text for item 40.

To consider which reports are ready to be submitted to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee at its next meeting.

To submit a report to the next Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting on the conclusions reached at this meeting.

To further business was reported.

To note the forward programme of meetings dates for the Panel. They are:

24^th February 2009 and

21 April 2009.

Future meetings of the Panel were noted.