WADHURST PARISH COUNCIL
THE MINUTES OF A MEETING OF HIGHWAYS, TRANSPORT and LIGHTING COMMITTEE
HELD AT THE PAVILION, SPARROWS GREEN ON THURSDAY 23 August 2007 AT 19:00

Present: Cllrs. Mrs Monaghan (Chairman), Berger, Mrs Colvin, Doyle, Miss Gadd and Miss Whatmore.

Also in attendance: Two members of the public.

1.             To receive apologies for absence

None.

2.             Public Forum
Representatives from the recently formed Wadhurst Residents Association presented a copy of their newsletter.

3.             To determine matters arising from the previous Minutes for updating and noting
Tree planting in Washwell Lane – Tree Warden has suggested planting lime trees between the car park and One Stop to prevent cars from parking on the pavement.
Overhanging trees – individual approach to property owners has been successful in clearing some trees overhanging footpaths.
Cycle Rack – preferred cycle racks cost £169 + VAT each; additional expenditure to be agreed at full council meeting 11.09.07. WDC to be consulted to ensure selected design can be fitted at location.
Maintenance of fingerposts – JAKK to attend to leaning fingerposts at Darbys Lane and opposite Dewhurst Lane. Committee to undertake a review of fingerposts and draw up list for maintenance.

4.             Lighting
Lighting round completed and faults reported to ESCC. It was noted that column 127 at the Marlpit/Bankside should be repositioned when it needs to be replaced.
The programme to convert some rural lights to half night cells is 75% complete.
Report received on Environment Committee proposal to install flower baskets on some of the conservation lights in the High Street. ESCC can undertake load testing at approximately £50 per column. Insurance company has been contacted.

To authorise lighting repairs
None.

5.             To consider traffic and parking issues in Lower High Street
Report of cars obstructing the pavement in the Lower High Street – PCSO March Simmonds to be advised.
Enquiries continue with officials at Uplands to try and increase on-site parking.

6.             To consider review of parking issues at Jonas Lane following letter from East Sussex County Council
ESCC has reviewed Jonas Lane following a complaint that motorists drive on the footway when two vehicles need to pass. Footway is not wide enough for bollards to be set back the required minimum of 450mm. The suggestion to remove on-street parking was not supported by the Committee as many residents have nowhere else to park. Parked vehicles also help to slow the traffic. Further enquiries to be made at ESCC regarding bollards and width of road needed for service vehicles.

7.             To consider action to remove graffiti from bus shelters
Further clearance required to remove graffiti from bus shelter opposite the station.

8.             Traffic Speeding
To consider SID deployment
SID continues to be deployed on a regular basis to try and encourage drivers to keep within the speed limit.

Police traffic speed enforcement
PC Etherington has received speed gun; a list of agreed sites is being drawn up.
The gun will not be available for public use initially.

9.             To review progress of cycle rack
Dealt with under item 3.

10.          To review directional signs for Greyhound car park.
Existing directional signs for Greyhound car park are not considered to be sufficiently noticeable. Request to be made to ESCC for blue parking signs.

Other highways/lighting issues for noting
Kebab van is operating on Mondays which may be outside existing licence. The van appears to be parked permanently at the layby opposite the fire station.
Brambles in Washwell Lane car park are beginning to encroach upon parking area.
Report of dead wood in tree overhanging footpath at Hill House Garden.

The meeting closed at 20:22.