Agenda and minutes

No apologies were received.

Cllr Warren expressed a non-pecuniary interest in agenda item 6. He noted that he had signed the “Primrose Avenue/Wood Lane/School Lane” petition.

Cllr Warren also expressed a non-pecuniary interest in agenda item 7. He commented that he is ward councillor for Bushbury North and he had spoken to residents about this petition but had not formed an opinion about the issues it raised.

[To approve the minutes of the previous meeting as a correct record.]

The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed as a true record.

[To consider any matters arising from the minutes.]

Cllr Judith Rowley commented that Tessa Johnson had agreed to find out some information regarding the access requirements which Steve Perry had agreed to investigate for the next meeting. No information has been presented. Laura Gilyead agreed to find out this information for the next meeting.

[To review the outstanding petitions.]

The Committee was recommended to close the “Vermin in property in St Giles Crescent” petition and the “Bilston Market rent increase” petition.

Resolved:

            That the two petitions be closed.

[To consider the petition.]

Cllr Angus explained that this petition was originally brought to the Committee on 8 October 2013. Work had been continuing between Service Lead for Traffic and Road Safety and The Police since then. He wanted to understand how the measures implemented have impacted the traffic on the roads.

The committee was informed that speed surveys would take place and speed warning signs would be put up in School Lane in November. A trial had taken place at the railway bridge introducing temporary signalling and this had been positively received.

Cllr Angus enquired about the survey data presented in 2.3 of the report. He noted that the tables compared a speed survey and speed warning sign data. He asked how comparable these sets of data were. He also requested that the speed signs and campaign posters remain in place for as long as possible. It was reported that the data was very accurate and that more data would be collected in January comparing speeds with signs and speeds without signs. Councillors were informed that the Police would be relied upon to support community speed watch in this area. Raised zebra crossing would help as a continued warning to drivers.

Cllr Bolshaw asked how many schemes the transportation department currently had waiting to be approved. Councillors were informed that there are a lot of enquiries from concerned residents throughout the city. Investigations are completed on all roads in the city but it was difficult to prioritise due to funding.

Cllr Judith Rowley expressed concern about the high speed which had been proven on these roads. She drew attention to the comments in the report about removing two measures to deter speed and suggested the removal of one measure at a time.

It was reported that the campaign posters and speed warning signs were required on different roads in the city. Contractors would be moving the signs and replacing those that had been vandalised.

Resolved:

1.    That the proposal to continue monitoring speeds in Primrose Avenue, Wood Lane and School Lane be supported.

2.    That road safety measures for Primrose Avenue, Wood Lane and School Lane be included in future works programmes.

3.    That the petition be closed and that monitoring by the Petitions Committee be discontinued.

[To consider the petition.]

Cllr Angus introduced petitioners Mrs Jenks and Mrs Williams. He explained that Wobaston Road was being expanded into a dual carriageway. He reported that the majority of properties close to this road were owned by Wolverhampton Homes and older residents. A significant area of grass behind the bungalows had been removed. There are concerns about the speed of traffic along this road and the safety of residents. The petition asked for an extension of the metal barriers along the side of the road to protect residents, bungalows and pedestrians. Mrs Jenks explained that the workman developing the road had experienced speeding vehicles colliding with the fencing. Mrs Williams explained that issues occurred over night which had frightened residents.

The Committee was informed that there was no traffic signal control on the road but once work was completed there would be traffic signals at the junction with Patshull Avenue. An assessment had been completed on the need for a road safety barrier which had shown that barriers could not be justified in this area due to similar needs in other areas of the city. The use of hedges and trees as a barrier and in landscaping had been considered but was opposed by residents. Markings on the road and rumble strips would cause noise. Other investigations were being done into the design of landscaping. A bund was being considered as part of landscaping to create an impact barrier. This would be assessed by Network Development. The bund would not be an eyesore and would be more manageable than other barrier and landscaping options. Reshaping of the grass area was anticipated to be complete by January 2015.

It was reported that a barrier would cost £66,000. As this was not part of the original design, it had not been included in the project’s budget. Once the work was completed, a road safety audit would be carried out and monitoring would take place to assess the speed of traffic. More measures would be considered at this point if necessary. Discussions would take place with Police mobile speed cameras to add Wobaston Road to their locations.

Cllr Bolshaw enquired as to the amount of properties affected and was informed it was approximately 30 properties.

Cllr Judith Rowley commented that a signal controlled crossing would make a degree of difference and that she supported the bund proposal.

Cllr Warren enquired about the cost of landscaping the area and asked about how the quality of life for the residents had changed. Mrs Williams explained that the work was unpleasant. She commented that the road seemed nearer to the properties than originally anticipated. It was reported that the landscaping work would cost £20,000. It was suggested that spring bulbs be planted in the bund to reduce the maintenance required.

Cllr Rowley noted that an express bus service would commence on Monday from the city centre to i54. She commented that private motorists would not be able to drive into i54 from Wobaston Road once the M54  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.