Issue - decisions

The committee received a report from the Project Delivery and Environment Manager regarding the Maid’s Causeway / Newmarket Road 20MPH signage project.

Members welcomed the report and expressed the hope that this would be the beginning of a culture change. It was hoped that this could be rolled out across the city at a later date and at this stage, the signage would not need to be as bold and intrusive.

(Q1) John Lawton

The height of the current signage is excessive. What are the timeframes for the work? How will success be measured? Will the scheme be extended across the city?

The Project Delivery and Environment Manage responded. The height of the signage would conform to required standards. Most of the work should be completed within six weeks. However, a road closure would be required for part of the work and this might take longer to arrange. The success of the project would be monitored with an automatic counter and with the use of Police priorities.

Members suggested that a before and after monitoring exercise would be useful.

(Q2) Member of the Public

Can members put pressure to bear so that the anomaly over the use of speed awareness courses as an alternative to penalty points is addressed? This penalty is not currently applicable in areas with a 20pmh limit.

Members agreed that this was a good point. The Chair agreed to write to Sir Graham Bright (Police and Crime Commissioner), Norman Baker MP (Parliamentary Under Secretary for Transport) and Julian Huppert MP.

Action

RESOLVED (Unanimously) to approve the Officer’s recommendations for the implementation of the Environmental Improvement and Minor Highway Work Project, in accordance with the drawing in appendix D of the Officer’s report, at a cost of £4,500 from the West/Central Committee’s Improvement budget, added to the £3,000 approved contribution from the County Council’s Joint Minor Highway Works budget.