Agenda item

Report of Strategic Director Communities & Environment.

The Committee received a report providing feedback on the outcome from an evidence gathering session on the role of the Council and its partners towards roads and highways.

It was noted from the report that the evidence gathering session focussed on four areas which were funding/repairs, traffic congestion, enforcement and road safety. It was further noted that the review is led by the Council with input from the Police.

From the report Committee were advised that funding is not sufficient to maintain the highway – a further OSC session is to be planned to review this. Further to this it was noted that members will be informed of repairs to roads in their areas.

Committee were updated on the current situation regarding traffic congestion as this is a significant problem with varying consequences for the economy and environment. It was noted from the report that future development threatens to worsen the problem and this is to be managed via current policies and where appropriate further measures will be considered.

Regarding enforcement the Council’s plans for bus lane enforcement were highlighted. It was noted that this will help target this specific problem identified by the Police and local residents.

An update on road safety was provided reviewing previous priorities received at this Committee. Further feedback on the issues is to be provided at a future meeting.

Inspector Dean Hood of Northumbria Police was in attendance to answer questions from the Committee. The concern of the lack of enforcement for speeding in the hours of darkness was brought to his attention. Inspector Hood advised he does not have a breakdown of figures showing the difference between day/night incidents  but that the Police are limited by the equipment they use in which to catch those speeding at night.

It was highlighted to the Committee that there are motor patrols who work through the night on priority routes such as the A19 and A1. Committee were further advised that the Police resource allocated to speed enforcement has shrunk following the introduction of Operation Dragoon who target dangerous drivers. It was further advised that all Police Officers can enforce speeding with Neighbourhood Police Teams being trained to detect and target speeding.

A question was asked whether the reduction in resource for motor patrols was as a result of finance limitations or whether the service had become more efficient. It was noted that the current local team were still a healthy size compared to similar sized Police Forces. The effectiveness of Community Speed Watch groups was highlighted – whilst such groups are not able to enforce speeding it was noted that they are a good tool for monitoring and reporting on problem areas.

It was asked whether the Police had powers to deploy a mobile speeding camera on any street. It was noted that prospective sites must be surveyed in advance to check their suitability for a mobile speed camera. It was further noted that sites must also have appropriate signage in addition to other conditions being met. As an example it was said that a road must have a 60m clear line of sight for a mobile camera to detect those speeding in 30mph areas.

It was further asked what determines the location of a mobile speeding camera. It was said that varying sources of information and intelligence are used such as fixed speed counters. It was also highlighted that there doesn’t have to have been an incident for a patrol to be stationed on a road – these can also be put in place following concerns by the public and the local authority provided the necessary legal/practical criteria are met.

Softer speed prevention tools such as signage that displays an oncoming vehicles speed with ‘Slow Down’ and ‘Thank You’ were highlighted. It was advised that such signage is not recommended by the Department of Transport. A discussion took place regarding speeding on main roads – it was noted that speeding is often marginal in areas of high congestion.

The concern of drivers travelling at 50/60mph in 30mph areas at night was noted again. It was also noted that speed cameras do not work at night but that neighbourhood police teams have the power to do their own enforcement at sites highlighted as a concern. It was said that over 9000 journeys per year on Shibdon Road were logged as being over 50mph – it was noted that whilst this is correct this figure alone appears high, put with the total number of users on this road this volume is small. A comment that the Police are doing a good job was made emphasising disappointment that more still needs to be done.

A Freedom of Information request is to be made to Gateshead Magistrates Court to get information on the number of prosecutions of people for speeding over 50mph. Once this information is known it is to be fed back at a future meeting.

RESOLVED:

(i)            The Committee noted the contents of the report.

(ii)           The Committee requested a further update on the Council and Partner’s approach to roads and highways at a future meeting.