Agenda item

Report of Strategic Director Communities & Environment.

The Committee received the interim report from the review into the Council and Northumbria Police’s approach to roads and highways.

The previous evidence gathering sessions looked at a number of issues including; the overall approach to funding, traffic congestion, safety and parking enforcement and speed strategy. It was noted that Supt Marratty had been unable to attend the last evidence gathering session, however he will be invited to attend a future meeting to answer Committee’s questions.

A number of actions came out of the review, including a Seminar which will be arranged to look at funding and the issues of potholes and repairs across the Borough. In addition, a schedule for Councillors on parking enforcementis also being consideredand  would be piloted in the Chopwell ward. Consideration is also being given to whether casualty information held by insurance companies could be useful as a road safety tool. It was noted however that insurance companies are reluctant to release information although the information received from police data seems to be consistent and shows where issues are. 

During the review Committee queried Council employees driving fleet vehicles and whether there is anything preventing phone related activities whilst driving. It was confirmed that every driver is issued with a handbook detailing their responsibilities in this regard. The Committee’s comments with regards to 20 mph zones will be referenced within a revised speed strategy. Similarly the introduction of vehicle activated speed management signs will be addressed in the revised Speed Management Strategy document.  In terms of the success of the camera enforcement strategy, information will be reported in the near future. 

Following a request from Committee a freedom of information request has been made to the Magistrates Court to establish the number of convictions for speeding offences in Gateshead. It was also confirmed that, as a result of Committee’s concerns, bus lane layouts would be reviewed prior to the introduction of an enforcement regime.  It was noted that work is ongoing to publicise offences and convictions of those people found to physically or verbally abuse Civil Enforcement Officers.

The point was made that the presentation by Northumbria Police at the last meeting did not go far enough to answer the questions raised by the Committee as a more strategic overview of policies was required. Officers will liaise with Supt Marratty about attending a future meeting. It was also confirmed that officers are looking at the possibility of police attending annual ward transport meetings as well as attending to meet Councillors before council meetings.

It was agreed that the recommendations be amended slightly for the final report, in order to reflect the Committee’s views. It was also agreed that the final paragraph in the report be amended to read;

“OSC expressed serious concerns that management of speeding traffic, particularly during the hours of darkness, was inadequate and needed to be improved and Committee felt that this remained an outstanding issue that needed to be explored further. It is suggested that this should await Cabinet approval of the aforementioned revision of the Council’s Speed Management Strategy.”

It was questioned whether air pollution from traffic congestion should be looked at further. It was confirmed that air quality will be part of a bigger discussion in next year’s work programme.

Committee agreed that the final report could not be referred to Cabinet until Supt Marratty has been to speak to the Committee as answers are required before a proper response can be provided.

RESOLVED    -           (i)         That Committee noted the content of the report and

agreed that the Council’s approach to Roads and Highways is generally approved subject to the concerns outlined above.

                                    (ii)        That Committee ensure attendance of a Senior Police

Officer at a future meeting of this Committee.

                                    (iii)      

                                    (iv)       That Committee requested regular joint meetings between Councillors and Senior Police Officers be arranged to explore identified issues of mutual interest.