Agenda item

The Highways Link Manager and the Northern Community Assembly Manager submitted a joint report which set out ideas for spending the Assembly’s allocation of £40,000 for Highways schemes in 2012/13 and £12,309 carried forward from 2011/12.

10.1

Decision Taken

RESOLVED: That the Northern Community Assembly:-

(a)

notes the information contained within the report and allocates the following sums from Northern Assembly Highways Budget 2012/13:

·           Speed Indication Device Rotation and new sites - £2,664 for twelve rotations 

·           Wheel Lane - (Safety Camera Partnership signage) - £2,000

·           Schemes identified using statistical data as spending criteria - Up to £47,645;

(b)

authorises the Highways Link Officer and Northern Community Assembly Manager, in consultation with the Chair, to adjust the precise sums within the areas of spend outlined in paragraph (a) above, and to apply any  further underspend from 2011/12 to the same projects;

(c)

defers the decision on the Ecclesfield Road Phase 2 scheme until the Coroner’s report and findings on a fatal road accident on that road are released and until more information is made available on the Highways PFI programme; and

(d)

defers the decision on a Worrall Road scheme until more information is made available on the Highways PFI programme.

10.2

Reasons For The Decision

The purpose of the Highways Budget is to respond to local requests for Highways improvements.  Safer Roads is one of the Northern Assembly Community Plan priorities.

The 2012/13 budget of £40,000 and £12,309 carry forward from 2011/12 will only allow for a small number of schemes to be implemented in this financial year and the proposals set out in the report respond to requests from local residents and build on the work carried out over the last few years.

10.3

Alternative Options Considered

Several alternative options for spend have been considered, but are not currently recommended for funding.

·           Continue to allocate budget between the four Community Assembly Wards. Ward Members to agree a list of preferred small schemes or potentially 1 or 2 larger schemes at Ward meetings

·           Allocate budget to larger schemes across the Assembly

·           Nominate 1 20mph zone to be funded centrally to a maximum of £40K.

·           Fund 1 Additional 20mph scheme from the Assembly’s Highways Budget

·           Match spend to PFI programme of works at Ewden zone, to be constructed between September 2012 and March 2013

·           Ecclesfield Phase 2

·           Consider reducing speed limit at Worrall