ENVIRONMENT AND MOVEMENT

CNPG:  ENVIRONMENT AND MOVEMENT GROUP

Meeting 17.2.14

            Daphne Lees                           Chris Whitton

            Jack Wood                              Chris Donovan (Lead)

            Frank Chivers

The aim of the meeting was to discuss the issues within environment and movement and to identify some of the issues that are likely to form the basis of questions to the public and eventually translate into policy options within the Cottesmore Neighbourhood Plan (CNP).

General discussion about the nature of the Cottesmore population and the information about age profile for example.  Population is ageing, but at same time growing number of young people, both of which have implications for facilities and pattern of activity.

Traffic

Subjects identified:

·        Speeding of traffic, particularly along the B668

·        Role within strategic road network

·        Traffic requirements from development

·        Road traffic accident history

·        Road safety and signage

It was acknowledged that the main road through the village unlikely to have a changed designation, but it is signed from Oakham as the route for all traffic (including HGV’s) to the A1 northwards.  Last regular Leicestershire Police Survey was in 2011.  Need to assess information from this.  Also need information on the origin/destination of HGV traffic through the village to understand which is through traffic to the A1 and which has a more local destination.

Issues for Consultation

1.     Does traffic need to be slowed down through the village and what type of measures would you favour?  This could include speed tables, interactive speed warning signs, rumble strips, other physical interventions, pedestrian crossings.

2.     Are the 30 mph signs in the correct position, i.e. should they be further back, particularly on Burley Road (east bound) and Market Overton Road (southbound).

3.     Should attempts be made to deliver pressure to alter the signing priorities for the A!, so that traffic is directed primarily along the A606.

Parking

Subjects identified:

·        Importance of maintaining car parking in centre of village

·        Other parking areas

·        Role of car park in Mill Street; role of Village Hall car park

·        Parking area outside The Sun

Generally agreed that the availability of car parking is important to underpin the economic role of village facilities.  However, also acknowledged that there can be significant road safety issues associated with parking, for example, around the schools and the pinch point in the centre of the village.  Also at busy times of the week.

Issues for Consultation

4.         Is there sufficient parking in the heart of the village around the Post Office Shop/ Fish             ‘n Chip shop?  If more required where would it go?

5.         Should there be improvements to parking in the centre of the front of The Sun?  If so             what should happen?

6.         Are there other car parking areas that could play an improved role in supporting the             village, for example, by improving linkage or better signing.  Locations would include             the car park at the Village Community Hall, the car park on Mill Street etc.

Road lay-out considerations

The group also discussed the existing road lay-out throughout the Parish.  Whilst accepting that there is limited scope for fundamental change and accepting, for example, the designation of the main B668, there are locations in and around Cottesmore that have been identified as in need of improvement if only from a road safety user perspective.

Areas identified:

·        “The Spinney” – where road from Market Overton meets B668

·        Where Exton Road joins the B668

Issues for Consultation

7.         Should there be changed alignment to make the area safer and clearer where Market             Overton Road, Ashwell Road and Main Road all come together?  In particular, to             improve sight lines and simplify the junction options.  What ways could these be             improved?

8.         Traffic turning right into Exton Road from the Toll Bar (B668) is crossing with limited             visibility until quite late.  Would traffic calming at this point be of help and, if so, what? 

            [Also note issue relating to pedestrian crossing – see next section].

 9.        Are there other locations in the Parish where there are significant road lay-out             issues?. 

Footpaths/Pedestrian Movement

Subjects included:

·        Locations in the centre of the village where footway ceases to exist.

·        Parking on footways throughout the village – limiting access for emergency vehicles.

·        Condition of footpaths

·        Linkage of footpaths to surrounding area and wider footpath network

·        Pedestrian crossing points

Consideration given to how footpaths working in the area.  Generally a number of issues relating to their condition and misuse.  Also felt that movement within the village reasonable, but beyond the village footpaths either don’t exist of are in very poor condition.  Also felt that as a result the village isn’t plugged comfortably into the wider Rutland footpath network, forcing people to use a car first when rambling, dog walking, etc.

Issues for Consultation

10.       Should more work be done on clearing footpaths and should there be more metalled             areas (as, for example, on north side of Burley Road)?

11.       Should footpaths be linked better to wider Rutland footpath network?

12.       Are there places in Cottesmore where footpath links should be improved and/or             provided.  Also  consideration needs to be given to improved lighting/facilities (e.g.             Clatterpot Lane)?

Cycling/Horse Riding

Some discussion on importance of other forms of transport.  Considered whether there is sometimes conflict with other users, particularly pedestrians.

Issues for Consultation

13.       Should there be separate facilities for cycles on the highway and, if so, where in the             village?

14.       Should bridleways be provided and, if so, where are these particular issues?

Public Transport

It was considered important to collect accurately bus movement information in and around Cottesmore. Generally it is felt that buses that exist are good and follow the time-table.  However, there are so few that it makes organising activity around them difficult.  It is also likely that there are not going to be sufficient resources for significant increases in bus services, so maybe some element of choice will be needed as to where any emphasis for change should be placed.

Currently the only bus directly serving Cottesmore is the Rutland Flyer 2 which       provides a service every two hours, in one direction to Oakham and in the other to       Melton Mowbray.

Issues for Consultation

15.       Is the frequency of this service sufficient to meet the parish’s needs and are there               other routes which could be campaigned for?