Agenda item

ECC to report back on:

(i)         Parking restrictions in Meadow Road, Loughton (report attached).

(ii)        Pedestrian phased traffic lights not being included in A1168 Chigwell Lane/Langston Road/Oakwood Hill junction improvements (verbal report to be given).

(iii)       Progress of pedestrian crossing and Developer Section 106 funding for the High Road, Ongar (report attached).

(iv)       Option B agreement regarding the provision of Highway Ranger service (within report attached).

(1) Parking Restrictions in Meadow Road, Loughton

At the meeting on 23 March 2010, the Panel had been informed of a petition submitted by residents of Meadow Road, Loughton. It had been signed by over 80% of the residents, who had requested a parking permit scheme.

The Highways Liaison Officer reported that the County Council did not fund the introduction of residents parking zones or similar. Funding was provided by the District council but due to the ongoing parking reviews, additional proposals were not being considered at present. Members considered the possibility of pursuing the request as a pilot scheme.

The Chairman advised the Panel of her upcoming report to Council, which would inform members of the outcome of ongoing discussions with the local Sainsburys in relation to this issue.

            RESOLVED:

That officers report back on estimated costs of a Controlled Parking Zone scheme at the next meeting.

(2) A1168 Chigwell Lane/Langston Road/Oakwood Hill Junction

Members were advised that a feasibility study had been carried out in October 2006 to evaluate the impact of providing pedestrian facilities at this junction.

Two options had been investigated:

Option 1: considered the provision of controlled pedestrian facilities across Oakwood Hill, Langston Road and Chigwell Lane south bound approaches to the junction. This would have replicated the uncontrolled crossing facilities that were already provided on site.

Option 2: considered the provision of controlled pedestrian facilities across Oakwood Hill and Langston Road approaches plus crossing facilities across Chigwell Lane utilising the existing central island between Oakwood Hill and Langston Road approaches.

Using LINSIG computer modelling software and existing traffic and pedestrian counts, it was observed that the traffic queues on Oakwood Hill increased from 16 to 49 with Option 1, and 52 with Option 2. Chigwell south bound existing queues of 41 increased to 135 with Option 1, and 164 with Option 2.

Additionally, the recorded number of pedestrians crossing had not been deemed particularly high, with only 301 pedestrians recorded in a 12 hour period.

Councillor Leonard requested that a full copy of the report be sent to him.

RESOLVED:

That, in light of the results, a decision had been taken not to pursue the provision of pedestrian facilities.

(3) Pedestrian Crossing and Development Section 106 Funding for High Road, Ongar

The County Council officers advised the Panel that there was £35,000 of funding available through a Section 106 agreement with the developer Higgins Homes Ltd. Officers had been investigating the possibility of implementing a zebra crossing in the vicinity of Love Lane and High Street Ongar, but the width of the footway was insufficient to accommodate a crossing.

Officers had also investigated the option of purchasing the section of verge in order to widen the footpath to the required 2.0m, but the costs involvedin processing a compulsory purchase order (CPO) and other associated costs would exceed the available budget.Other options had been considered, but were not feasible owing to the presence of vehicle crossovers, bus stops and visibility splays.

Ongar Town Council had been contacted by Essex County Council about other options, but discussions had yet to commence.

            RESOLVED:

(i)         That officers investigate an alternative location for the crossing, the installation of up to two vehicle activated signs, and moving bus stops, based on members’ suggestions; and

(ii)        That County Council officers visit the site with Councillor Jacobs to investigate an alternative location for the crossing.

(4) Current Restructuring at Essex County Council

The Panel noted that the Highways Rangers Service would be discussed as part of the LHP report later in the meeting.

The Highways Liaison Officer informed the Panel that current restructuring at the County Council Area Highways Office was ongoing. Once completed, members would be informed of the appropriate representatives, but until then they were to use the following contact details:

            Highways & Transportation

            West Area Office

            Warwick House

            Roydon Road

Harlow

            Essex

            CM19 5DX

Email: highways.westarea@essex.gov.uk

Tel: 0845 603 7631

R. Tanfield advised that she remained the Local Highways Panel contact at the County Council.