Agenda item

·       Former Molins site, Haw Lane, Saunderton: to present the issues with HGV’s transporting chalk and concrete demotion/excavation material from the site location - to be presented by Sharon Henson (Parish Clerk) and Cllr Vicki Smith.

·       Petition – Safety Crossing, Naphill: to present Buckinghamshire Council’s report to this petition (included in the agenda pack) and the Community Board’s response - to be presented by Jim Stevens.

·       Buckinghamshire Council Update: to be presented by Sophie Payne, Service Director, Culture, Sport and Leisure, Buckinghamshire Council (included in the agenda pack).

·       Question Time: to respond to questions received – to be presented by the Chairman.

·       For Information Purposes:  Live countywide and local Consultations, go to Your Voice Bucks website Your Voice Bucks - Citizen Space – to be presented by Jackie Binning.

Former Molins site, Haw Lane, Saunderton

Sharon Henson, clerk, and Councillor Vicki Smith, West Wycombe PC, raised the issue regarding the volume of traffic passing through West Wycombe High Street, much of which was related to the former Molins site demolition works.  There had been concern that lorries were frequently overloaded and uncovered, however, this situation had improved recently.  Lorries were often driving too fast and had been seen mounting pavements and residents along the Bradenham Road had been affected by chalk dust.  The Molins site application was dated 2008; the figures and policies were out of date and the PC had been unaware of the impact it would have on the area.  The PC had been told that no planning breaches had occurred even though the Equality Impact Assessment (EIA) stated that there would be a maximum of 12 arrivals/departures per hour.  However, the volume of traffic was considerably higher (approximately 1500 per day) and was having a huge impact. The demolition was likely to last until the end of August 2022 and the new facility would take four to five years to build resulting in some degree of noise and extra traffic. 

Rosie Tunnard, Highways Community Liaison Manager, had visited the site on 27 July 2022.  It had a been a positive meeting with the site manager who had confirmed all vehicle drivers had been briefed on safety and checks were being made.  Road sweeping would continue at various locations.  It was agreed that direct contact would be made between the Local Area Technician (LAT) and the manager/site team.  Damage to the verge and carriageway on Haw Lane were discussed and no vehicles would be driven through West Wycombe.  Cllr Carl Etholen agreed to forward the report to the Bledlow-cum-Saunderton PC clerk for information.

Action:  Councillor Carl Etholen

It was acknowledged that there were several areas of concern and photographic evidence stating the date and time was required and should be sent to the Chairman.

Action: All/Parish and Town Councils

Councillor Broadbent stated that the HS2 and East West Rail projects were devastating the road network.  The road network was constantly monitored and a number of failed road surfaces would be repaired this year e.g., Nash Lee Lane/North Lee Lane.  Unfortunately, HS2 had powers under their own act but BC would continue to do everything they could to improve the situation.  Steve encouraged residents to use the HS2 enquiry mailbox (hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk)  or to contact the HS2 team at BC regarding vehicle concerns  (EWRANDHS2enquiries@buckinghamshire.gov.uk).

Further points were made regarding involving DVSA with potential contraventions and also about ensuring A4010 footway and cycleway was swept clear of chalk and debris as part of road sweeping.

The following key points were raised in discussion:

• Only the conditions laid out in the planning permission were able to be enforced.
• Weight limits could only be imposed by obtaining a traffic order.  However, it had been agreed that lorries would not be driven through West Wycombe.
• There should be a traffic management plan which needed to be adhered to.
• The Chairman agreed to make the Local Area Police Commander aware of the situation.

Action:  The Chairman

• It was agreed that more communication was required to local residents and it was suggested that the developer shared their plans.

Action:  Jackie Binning

• Could TfB arrange for ‘slow, lorries turning’ signs to be put in place?

Petition: Safety Crossing, Naphill

Jim Stevens, Chairman of Transport and Road Issues Action Group, started by inviting new members to join the action group; the next meeting was on 3 August 2022.

Jim provided a presentation, appended to the minutes.  In summary, the ePetition had been submitted in March 2022 and had received 135 signatures. A report had been written by the BC officers and the next steps were being recommended to the CB for approval.  A number of photos were shown and Jim provided an overview of the officer recommendations which were supported by the action group.  There had only been one accident, which was in 2014, and this fact had driven the decision that it was not a core funding priority for BC.  Jim ran through the main points of BC’s report and advised that a relief school crossing patroller had been recruited [Immediate action 1] and parents would be notified if a school crossing officer was not available [Immediate action 2]. 

There were three BC officer recommendations which the action group supported: 

• To note their report and the steps BC officers were proposing to take.
• North West Chilterns CB to consider funding feasibility work to establish the technical need and type of formal crossing.
• The school to develop a School Travel Plan (including pedestrian safety initiatives) with BC officers’ support.

The action group also recommended 8 immediate (two of these had been completed) and 2 medium term actions (these might become less pressing if actions 1-8 were completed).

Immediate Actions:

1. Appointing a Relief SC Patroller must be a top priority - completed.
2. It was vitally important to continue email notifications to parents (via school) about SC Patroller absences - completed.
3. BC officers to follow up with the Headteacher BC’s offer to support the development of a School Travel Plan (STP).
4. Collect walk to school route data as part of the STP.
5. Erect new road safety banners prior to Sept term.
6. Erect additional banners in more prominent locations prior to September.
7. Remove foliage blocking existing signs / yellow flashing lights.
8. Consider the application of red road surfacing at the SCP location.

Feasibility Work:

9. Third party funding should be investigated now (Clappins Lane development, RAF Naphill).
10. Community Board funding could only be considered from 2024/25.

Steven Broadbent commented that the work in response to the petition carried out by his officers and Transport and Road Issues Action Group could be used as a model at other school crossing patroller sites across Buckinghamshire.

Resolved:  The Community Board Members agreed to support the immediate actions and feasibility work actions listed above.

Buckinghamshire Council Update

Sophie Payne highlighted the following points:

·       Ukrainian guests were still arriving and further help was needed – find out more here.

·       Cost of living increase – information was available on the Helping Hand Scheme which could provide support with food, bills and finances. 

·       There was a Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme in many local schools, including Princes Risborough School.

·       Those who were eligible for a Council Tax rebate and paid by direct debit had received their rebate.  Individuals who paid by another method could provide their bank details until 1 August.  After this date, all households who had not claimed their rebate would receive a £150.00 voucher instead.  There was also an additional discretionary £25.00 Helping Hand top up for those on specific benefits.

·       Missed Bin Collections – the position was improving gradually but the heatwave had caused further issues.  The garden waste subscription arrangements had been pushed back to September 2022 but people were encouraged to sign up now.  Following a query from West Wycombe PC who had garden waste sacks rather than a bin, it was confirmed that further communications would be issued.  Three sacks would be delivered and stickers would be issued for sacks and bins to show proof of payment.

·       The County Show was being held on 1 September 2022 and the CBs would have a stall.

·       The Bucks Online Directory publicised local community events and anyone was able to add information for free.

Question Time

No questions had been submitted.

Jackie Binning reminded everyone that BC consultations and surveys could be viewed at https://yourvoicebucks.citizenspace.com/.