Minutes of Traffic & Transport Committee meeting held on Monday 14^th June 2004 in the Parish Office, Nutley

Present:   Cllr. S Leaney (Chair), Cllr. C Stephens, Cllr. P Tester, Cllr. S Weekes, Cllr R Woodgate, Cllr. H Fry.  Mrs D Lyne(Maresfield), Mr R Armitage (Fairwarp), Mr P Knivett (Maresfield), and Mr D Barlow (Nutley)

Public Questions:   There were none.

Apologies:   The Clerk (holiday), Mrs C Sweetnam

Chairmans opening remarks:  The Chairman welcomed our invited members of the Public all of whom had indicated there willingness to serve on this Committee. He outlined the Committee’s procedures and in particular the Code Of Conduct for Non-Councillors. All indicated there willingness to accept the code.

Co-option of Non-Councillors:  All of the non Councillors introduced themselves and outlined their concerns with respect to traffic in our Parish. All want to see speed controlled in some way on our Parish roads. In addition Mr D Barlow  has some worries as to what the effect the proposed building in East Grinstead and Haywards Heath will have on the A22. Cllr Fry commented that all members of the Committee should commit themselves to all Traffic and Transport problems within the Parish and not just their own local issues. There was a general acceptance of this view. Cllr Fry then Proposed the co-option en-bloc of the above non Councillors to this Committee. The motion was Seconded by Cllr Weekes and Agreed unanimously.

Declaration of interests:  None at this time.

Election of vice-Chairman:   Mr D Barlow was proposed by Mr R Armitage and seconded by Cllr Weekes. There being no other nominations Mr D Barlow was elected unanimously.

Election of Communications member  :  Mr P Knivette was proposed Mr D Barlow and seconded by Cllr Fry. There being no other nominations Mr P Knivette was elected unanimously.

Minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 1^st June: 

1...  The minutes of this meeting were accepted as an accurate record of the business conducted.

2... Matters arising

              a) Councillor Fry stated that he was not notified of this meeting and although the minutes accurately show he did not attend, he would have had he been notified. The Chairman apologised stating that in the absence of the Clerk (sick leave) the meeting was arranged by telephone and somehow Cllr Fry had not been contacted.

             b) Cllr Fry asked if  Any Other Business could be on the agenda at the next meeting.

             c) Cllr P Tester reported that he had at last contacted Mr and Mrs Stephenson who live in Nether Lane, Nutley, and one or other of them would be interested in joining this Committee subject to a telephone call from the Chairman to tell them what is involved.

Traffic & Transport 14^th June                                                                Page 2

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Redefinition of Parish Traffic problems and possible solutions: 

Maresfield :  Much traffic in Maresfield village is through traffic heading for the   

    B2026 or A22. Possible solutions a) Pedestrianise the village centre (P Tester)

                                                            b) Erect peak time traffic lights (R Woodgate)

                                                            c) Signs for school at ?????  (S Weekes)

   Maresfield by-pass has dangers from overtaking vehicles

                                   Proposed solution … see Review of TEWP attached

   There is a need to investigate traffic flows if the A22 is closed. After a recent

   accident on the by-pass Maresfield became grid locked

Fairwarp: We need to obtain a copy of the report on the success or otherwise of the

    experiment at the Maresfield end of the B2026 which removed the cats-eyes from

    the centre of the road and repositioned them at the sides of the road.

    Speed is still the main problem on the B2026, in particular in the vicinity of:-

                         Duddleswell Nursery

                         Duddleswell Tea Rooms

                         Fairwarp Church

                         Junction of B2026 with road into Fairwarp village.

                         Long straight roads encourage speed

    It was accepted that it would be difficult to affect the volume of traffic on this road,

    so efforts should be made to reduce speed

Nutley:  a)Lorry Route.. Committee to receive a copy of Cllr Thomas’ reply .

             b) Pavements in general are too narrow with the amount, volume and size of

    vehicles passing through the village. In particular between the southern crossing and

    post office (See TEWP review attached) and opposite Littlemead. In some areas of

    the village this could be helped by getting hedges cut.

             c) The new speed reactive signs  are now installed but speed is still a problem

             d) Speed in Crowborough road is still a problem particularly by large lorries,

    the problem being made worse by the lack of footpaths. May be possible to

    influence the amount and size of traffic using Crowborough road by introducing

    more traffic calming measures on the forest stretch of the road.

General: Would be useful to review methods used successfully in other areas to calm

   traffic. Lets not try to re-invent the wheel.

Aims and Objectives for the period June -September 2004:  It was agreed that early consultation is imperative and we should be aiming to do this Parish wide in September. Cllr Fry suggested that the consultation should include alternative methods of transport, but it was agreed that this could be looked at in the longer term. The Chairman welcomed individuals comments and asked to receive them by the 12^th July so they could be considered at the next meeting.

Review TEWP work programme:  A review prepared by Cllr fry was circulated. (see attached) It was pointed out that the pavement above the post office in Nutley is a live project and that there will have to be new persons authorised to affix notices on cars parked inconsiderately on pavements.

Finance: It was pointed out that there was money in the current budget for projects that fall into the village plan and hence may well be available for use by this Committee. However this would have to be agreed with the Finance & Administration Committee and ratified at Council.

Correspondence:  A cutting from the Mail on Sunday was presented which claimed that removing road markings led to a dramatic fall in accidents and motorists speed in rural areas.

Date of next meeting:  Monday 26^th July

There being no other business the meeting closed at 10-25 P,M,