Agenda item

To be presented by Jo Thornton, Buckinghamshire Council.

Video 1h, 20m, 58s

Ms J Thornton, Head of Highways Development Management, Buckinghamshire Council and Mr D Tester answered questions. Discussion included:

• The Highway Development teams statutory function was to assess live planning applications. Investigating the impact on local transport, how the impact can be mitigated and supporting sustainable growth.
• Ms M Simons, Weston Turville Parish Council (WTPC):
  • Dropped curbs with cobbled sets on top of the Marroway joining the roundabout and the cycle path were causing accessibility issues for mobility scooters. WTPC had struggled to find the responsible party. Ms Thornton would investigate responsibility and the possibility of remedial work as part of the Hamden Fields S106 agreement.
  • Brook End, Weston Road and Marroway had pathways in need of repair. Transport for Bucks (TfB) had previously responded to say they did not meet criteria for repair. Would be raised with TfB again by the Highways DM team.
  • The new development at Worlds End Lane was to have provide traffic mitigation via a 30mph speed limit but Thames Valley Police (TVP) say they would not support the proposal. Mr Tester would meet with WTPC outside of the meeting to discuss alternatives.
• Ms S Cotton, Bierton Parish Council (BPC):
  • Regarding the Eastern Link Road (ELR) A418 junction from Wing it was felt the flow of traffic still encouraged road users to go straight on through Bierton. Mr Tester explained that ELR was not formally open and as the link road project progressed full signage and traffic calming would be installed in Bierton. BPC would be involved in the decision-making process in line with the relevant s106 agreements.
• Mr B Chapple, Aston Clinton Parish Council (APC):
  • Concerns were raised over the speed of traffic from where the Woodlands development met the Tring Road roundabout up to Windmill Terrace. Mr Tester confirmed the current trigger for traffic calming in the area, as included in the Hamden Fields and Woodlands s106 agreement, was the opening of the link road. However, negotiations were underway to bring this requirement forward when the applications were resubmitted.
• Mr T Skeggs and Ms J Hunt, Stoke Mandeville Parish Council (SMPC):
  • Were the Development Management team able to reject an application due to overwhelming traffic numbers? Ms Thornton confirmed they could recommend refusal based on capability/congestion and road safety.
  • Concerns were raised about congestion and through travel including reaching the link road and onward travel to High Wycombe, Oxford etc. It was acknowledged that congestion in the area would increase in the short term as it was necessary to raise the funds through s106 before mitigation could begin. A planning application was expected to be reach the Planning Committee around February 2021.
  • Joint working was underway regarding joining the HS2 relief road to the network.
• Mr B Johnson, Halton Parish Council (HPC):
  • Halton RAF Base was due to close in 2025 with at least 1000 new homes expected by 2033 as per the Vale of Aylesbury Local Housing Plan. When would traffic flow analysis start to be considered?  Mr Tester explained this would be considered, including discussion with parishes, as applications were made. Developers would need to use the Buckinghamshire Strategic Traffic Model when development their applications.
• Ms M Parker,
  • The Board had Infrastructure funding of £489k available. A subgroup would be formed to look at future applications. Ms Parker invited applications from board members.

ACTION

Mr Tester would meet with Weston Turville PC to discuss mitigated for the Worlds End Lane development.

ACTION

The following issues would raised with TfB by the Highways DM team:

• Dropped curbs on the Marroway, Weston Turville.
• Path way repair at Brook End, Weston Road and Marroway, Weston Turville.