Meeting documents

There were no declarations by members of disclosable pecuniary interests under the Code of Conduct.

The County Councillor for Linden Lea, Nick Ireland, declared a non- pecuniary interest in minute 17 as he considered that his strong support for the proposal constituted pre-determination. He intended to address the Committee in his role as local member but would leave the room before debate took place.

To confirm and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 17 August 2017.

The minutes of the meeting held on 17 August 2017 were confirmed and signed.

To receive any public questions and/or public statements and requests for public speaking in accordance with Standing Order 21(2).

Public Speaking

There were no public questions received at the meeting in accordance with Standing Order 21(1).

There were no public statements received at the meeting in accordance with Standing Order 21(2).

To consider a report by the Service Director – Highways and Emergency Planning.

A report was considered by the Committee on a proposed reduction to the speed limit - from 50mph to 40 mph - on the C12 between Lower Burton and Charminster. Following consultation on the proposal, an objection had been received and the Committee was now being asked whether the proposed change to the speed limit should be implemented, as advertised.

The officers’ presentation described what the proposal entailed and why it was considered to be necessary. The characteristics of the road were described and its relationship with the surrounding area. The steep decent over the southern section of the length, towards Lower Burton, was noted. The reduction in the speed limit was being proposed on road safety grounds and was designed to regulate or reduce the speed of traffic to be able to readily meet the conditions of the road in a managed way.

Given that the amount of traffic using this road had increased markedly over recent years due to the development at Charlton Down, that there were numerous accesses onto the C12 and that there had been a number of recorded injury collisions over that length, officers considered that reducing the limit as proposed would go a long way to minimising risk in the future.

Analysis of the speed survey data had indicated that a 40 mph limit would be reasonable and appropriate along that stretch of road. This proposal met the necessary speed limit policy criteria which the County Council had adopted

In response to the consultation exercise held, support had been received from the County Councillor for Three Valleys, West Dorset District Council, Charminster Parish Council and Dorset Police, with one objection to the proposal being received  from  Andrew Culley.

Public speaking then took place. Mr Culley considered that given that the mean vehicle speeds in the speed survey were below the limit being proposed, the new limit was unnecessary and could not be justified. He considered that there was no clear evidence to support what was being proposed and that  Council resources could be put to better use. He said the Department for Transport (DFT) guidance was that speed limits should not be reduced where there was an engineering solution and a right turn lane would be the solution here. His view was that there was no basis for the reduction, which was contrary to DfT and the County Council’s policy  and that the officer’s opinion on the benefit of this should not be supported.

Mark Simons, Chairman of Charminster Parish Council considered that the reduction would certainly benefit road safety given the use now being made of the road, its configuration and what limitations there were to visibility along the stretch, the number of accesses onto it and its accident record, there having been an accident in the last week. This would also enable traffic speeds to be more readily monitored. Concern had been expressed for some time at excessive speeds on this road and the reduction would allay much of that concern.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 16.

To consider a report by the Service Director – Highways and Emergency Planning.

Prior to consideration of this application, Councillor David Jones assumed Chairmanship of the meeting and thanked the Vice-Chairman for the part he had played in his absence.

The County Councillor for Linden Lea – Nick Ireland – withdraw from the Committee prior to consideration of this item as he considered that his strong support for the proposal constituted pre-determination. He moved to the public seating area on order to fulfil his role as the local member and, having addressed the Committee in that role, he left the meeting.

The Committee considered a report by the Service Director – Highways and Emergency Planning for a proposed change to the speed limit from 60mph to 40 mph on the A353 at White Horse Hill, Osmington. Whilst, originally, primary consultation had raised an objection from Weymouth and Portland Borough Council - on the basis that the proposals would not necessarily solve any road safety issues and that a footway would be more beneficial – the Committee, at its meeting on 6 April 2017, had agreed that the proposals should be advertised and consideration given to any responses received. Following this, an objection had been received and, as a consequence, the Committee were now being asked to consider whether the proposed speed limit change should be implemented, as advertised.

Officers confirmed that, as there had been no recorded collisions involving pedestrians, in the circumstances there was no justification for a footway as suggested by the Borough Council. In any event, the cost of providing this would be prohibitive given the budgetary constraints.

With reference to the provisions of the Update Sheet provided to members prior to the meeting, officers described the proposal, what it entailed and why it was considered to be necessary. Speed survey data had assessed that it would be reasonable and appropriate for the speed limit to be reduced to 40mph limit. This proposal met the necessary speed limit policy criteria which the County Council had adopted. The characteristics and topography of the road was described, there being a significant incline and decent in the road’s configuration, with bends throughout, which restricted visibility.

Within the length of road over which the reduction was proposed to be imposed were entrances to three farms and three businesses: a holiday park, a garage and a car sales operation. During the summer holiday season, two of the three farms operated successful and busy camp sites, increasing the traffic accessing these sites. The road was a county "A" road which carried significant amounts of traffic in an east/west direction, particularly during the summer season. Consequently there had been a number of injury collisions on this route and it was considered that by significantly reducing the speed permitted would assist in reducing this and considerably benefit road safety.

Given that the amount of traffic using this road had increased markedly over recent years due to the attractions in the area, the numerous accesses onto the A352 and the number of recorded injury collisions over that length,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.

The Committee were asked to agree to a site visit being held on 17 November 2017 in connection with upcoming planning applications at Weymouth and Wareham.

Officers emphasised the importance of members making every effort to attend this visit so as to be able to play an active part in the determination of the two applications.

Resolved

That a site visit be held on 17 November 2017, with arrangements for this being confirmed by officers.

Reason for Decision

To enable members to see at first hand all the relevant issues and to have a better understanding of what the applications entailed.  

To answer any questions received in writing by the Chief Executive by not later than 10.00am on Monday 16 October 2017.

No questions were asked by members under Standing Order 20(2).