CC Iddon will attend to answer any queries on highways and transport issues.
Minutes:
The Chair welcomed County Councillor Keith Iddon (Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport) to the meeting.
CC Iddon thanked the Group for the invitation to attend the meeting and noted that everyone has an interest in the road network. LCC maintain a network which covers 7 kilometres and has a value of around £10 million. This includes roads, footpaths, gulleys, street lighting, signs, bridges and sections of the M65 and M61. The transport element includes buses, community transport and bus stations. CC Iddon delivers the best service possible to the residents of Lancashire.
Councillor Bell queried the use of new vehicles to repair pot holes. LCC rent eight vehicles, but these can only work when the conditions allow and were not able to operate in February or March this year due to the weather. The repair is guaranteed for two years. Ideally each repair would be a resurface, but these repairs do extend the life of the asset.
Councillor Whittaker queried what action has been undertaken to gain additional funding from the Government. An additional £four million had been received in the last few months specifically for roads and transport.
Councillor Whittaker highlighted the issues which residents have encountered with the Ironman UK event; the number of laps in the race meant that some roads were closed from 6am until 4pm and carers were unable to reach patients and people couldn’t get to work.
Councillor Kim Snape advised that she had been in touch with Ironman UK to express her concerns, but she had not received a response. Councillor Graham Ashworth noted that Babylon Lane is closed for 11 hours during the event and suggested that the road remain open, but one way, to enable access. Councillor Marel Urry advised that an ambulance had to be called three times and two cyclists were knocked off.
The race this year had already been authorised when CC Iddon took office, but he shared the concerns raised and advised that he has written to Ironman UK to express these. CC Iddon gave his assurance that this length of closure will not happen again and requested details of the complaints to enable him to follow them up.
Update since the meeting: CC Keith Iddon has advised that Lancashire will not be hosting the Ironman UK event next year.
Councillor Bromilow noted the poor state of a number of roads in Clayton. LCC have a Traffic Asset Management Plan (TAMP) and the roads are resurfaced in line with it. The Department of Transport assess LCC against the robustness of the TAMP. If the road is a damaged because of a new estate the developer should contribute to its resurfacing.
Councillor Steve Perry noted that the A675 starting at the Hoghton Arms has now reopened and requested that the road closed signs be removed. This is particularly important as Bury Lane, Withnell, is due to be resurfaced.
Councillor Chris Lennox highlighted the dangers of parents parking on Hallgate, Astley Village and requested double yellow lines. The use of double yellow lines is risk based and if there are no accidents double yellow lines are not added. CC Iddon requested the details of the query by email.
Councillor Chris Lennox noted that the 109 bus service is now hourly. Meetings have taken place about this route and a circular route has been agreed. Information about the new route and times will be publicised. 90% of the routes are commercial and the funding for the 10% of subsidised routes was cut. Chorley Council proactively subsidise the routes within Chorley due to the funding cuts, but there is a need for residents to use the buses!
Councillor Gwyneth Lloyd highlighted the use of the Cock a Bridge? In Croston by HGV’s. This is thought to be due to accessing developments in Hesketh Bank. CC Iddon requested the details of the query by email.
The Chair thanked CC Iddon for his attendance.