MINUTES of a meeting held at  7.30 pm Thursday 15 October 2015 at the Village Centre, Hurstpierpoint. 

Present: 

Tony Lank  (Chairman) 

Barry Stokes (co-opted member) 

Gill Blackburn  (co-opted member) In attendance: 

  Stephen Hoyles (CLERK to the COUNCIL) 

TP15/008.  Apologies for absence and declarations of interest:  The following apologies for absence were received before the meeting and accepted:   Judith Marsh,  Peter Griffiths (WSCC  Ward Member),  Richard Speller 

(WSCC Highways).  There were no declarations of interest in accordance with the Council’s Code of Conduct.   

TP15/009.  Co-opted Member:  The Working Group welcomed Gill Blackburn, as a  co-opted member of the Group and as the representative of the High Street Traders group.   

TP15/010.  Minutes of the meeting of the Working Group  23 June 2015:  The Working Group received and accepted the minutes which were then signed by the Chairman.    

TP15/011.  High Street Safety Improvements Scheme (HSIS) Hurstpierpoint:  Further to the report to Council on 24 September 2015, the Working Group received an update on the post-scheme approvals stage.  The Working Group noted:  

1. (1) The Stage 3  Safety Audit was undertaken  by independent assessor Laurence Shaw and WSCC Highways representatives on 14 October 2015.  The Audit Report will be reviewed by consultants Stilwells and their Designer’s Response will be submitted to WSCC.  Once approved by WSCC the scheme will be signed-off and adopted by WSCC.   
2. (2) The Parking Enforcement Authority is MSDC.  They have said that some yellow lines are ‘faded’ and some signs are missing, and cannot therefore enforce some of the parking restrictions.  It is believed that these issues are in areas not connected to the Scheme works.  WSCC are responsible for maintaining lines and signs and have been informed of the alleged issues.  (Ref: MSDC email  parking – 1 October 2015). 
3. (3) It was noted that a total of 33 comments had been received from the public following completion of the scheme, of which 5 were positive.  The flow of complaints had reduced considerably after the first two weeks of operation.  The main concerns were lack of parking enforcement and some drivers ignoring the priority signs.  It was suggested that, as drivers were adjusting to the new layout, so traffic flows were improving.  However, it was acknowledged that there could be the need for minor adjustments to the layout or its signage in due course.  
4. (4) The TRO had approved a new 20 mph  limit on the High Street, but the signs had not been included in the Walkers contract.  Steps were now being taken  to install the signs.  
5. (5) A meeting took place on 15 October 2015 with Richard Speller (WSCC Highways Mid Sussex Area Manager) and the Working Group Chairman and the Clerk.  It had been proposed that WSCC would review the operation of the new scheme after 4 or 5 months operation, and report to the WSCC County Local Committee (CLC) at its January 2016 meeting.  At that time, if any adjustments were necessary then they would be considered for implementation.   The Working Group discussed the issues and agreed that it would recommend to Council that the process of scheme review was noted and that any potential adjustments would be considered in due course.   

RECOMMENDATION to COUNCIL:  The Council notes that West Sussex County Council Highways will review the operation of the scheme in due course and that if any adjustments are required then they will be considered by the Parish Council. 

TP15/012.  Carparking Survey:  The Parish Council has carried out a survey  of Trinity Road and Brown Twins carparks.  The surveys covered the periods 07.00 to 09.30 and 14.30 to 19.00 on Tuesday 29 September and Thursday 8 October 2015.  The surveys were by observation only.  The Working Group was asked to note the results.  It was agreed that further appraisal will be undertaken and suggestions made to any possible improvements to the parking restrictions, for consideration at the next meeting of the Group.  The Working Group made the following comments for further consideration:  that St Lawrence School should provide more on-site parking; that the short-term parking should be increased from 2 to 3 hours.    (Ref:  Carparking Survey – Trinity Road and Brown Twins –  9 October 2015 ) 

TP15/013.  Cuckfield Road, Hurstpierpoint – feasibility study:  A meeting took place on 15 October 2015 with 

Richard Speller (WSCC Highways Mid Sussex Area Manager) and the Working Group Chairman and the Clerk, at which the required study was discussed.   As part of the s106 planning agreement for the Little Park  housing development, there was a requirement for a traffic management study to be undertaken.  The detailed planning permission had not yet been granted, so the study had not started, but WSCC will be taking this forward.  Meanwhile, the Working Group would be asked for suggestions on how the management could be implemented.  It had also been agreed that a traffic speed survey, using the WSCC ‘SID’ equipment would be arranged by WSCC.  The Working Group raised the following matters 

    & 

  HURSTPIERPOINT           SAYERS COMMON 

                        PARISH COUNCIL 

for consideration as part of the traffic management study:  a 20 mph limit;  adjustment of the junction with Chalkers Lane; the road and footway surfaces were in very poor condition.   

TP15/014.  Chalkers Lane, pedestrian access:  Concern had been expressed about the safety of pedestrians on the section of Chalkers Lane, south side,  between the end of the existing footpath and the entrance to the Chalkers Lane South development (David Wilson Homes).  There is no footway on this section and there is increasing construction HGV traffic serving the development.  The issue will become more intense when the temporary construction access to the Little Park development (Bovis Homes) starts, probably in Spring 2016.  It was agreed that WSCC is advised of the concern and suggestions made that a temporary footpath is installed until such time as the permanent 

footpaths are accessible in the Chalkers Lane development. (Ref:  WSCC email  – C Pratt – 5 October 2015) RECOMMENDATION to COUNCIL:  WSCC Highways are asked to investigate a possible temporary footpath in Chalkers Lane  during the construction process  

TP15/015.  Correspondence and information:  The Working Group  noted the following and considered any 

RECOMMENDATIONS to COUNCIL for referring schemes to WSCC:   

1. (1) Proposed park and ride scheme, Albourne:  A site has been suggested by  developers between the A23 and the B2118 south of Albourne, to provide park-and-ride services for Brighton and Hove.   This is not in the Parish area.  At this stage no planning application has been lodged with MSDC.   
2. (2) Reeds Lane, Sayers Common parking:  correspondence has been received from a resident requesting parking restrictions on Reeds Lane.  The Working Group agreed that parking enforcement would not be available in this semirural area and could not recommend that any restrictions should be made.  (Ref:  Mr & Mrs Wolfe – email 2 August 2015)   
3. (3) College Lane, Hurstpierpoint:  correspondence has been received from a resident regarding traffic congestion in College Lane.  The Working Group noted that the Neighbourhood Plan  had an ‘aim’ of improving traffic and pedestrian management and this matter would be investigated in due course.   (Mr Gosling, ltr 5 July 2015)   
4. (4) Trinity Road, Hurstpierpoint:  correspondence has been received from a resident regarding traffic congestion in Trinity Road.  It was noted that the Working Group had previously considered a proposals to remove the grass verge to allow better two-way traffic, and this had been suggested to WSCC Highways.  However, there had been no response, but it was now considered that such a scheme would be expensive and the benefits modest.  The recent introduction of parking restrictions on the junctions of Marchants Road and Brown Twins Road has improved the matter.  However, it was agreed that some addition parking restriction opposite the junction with the Health Centre access might be beneficial, and this would be explored with WSCC highways.   (Mr Taylor, email  30 June 2015)   
5. (5) Holy Trinity Church, Hurstpierpoint:  Correspondence had been received from the Church Warden requesting warning signs for the lych gate exit onto Albourne Road. The Working Group agreed that this matter should be referred to WSCC Highways.   (Re:  M Carey email 23 June 2015)    

RECOMMENDATION to COUNCIL:  WSCC Highways are asked to investigate signage around the lych gate exit onto Albourne Road.   

There being no other business the Meeting closed at   9.25 pm.   

Dist:   

Members of the Working Group: 

John Wilkinson (HP&SCPC Member)      

Barry Stokes (Co-opted Group  Member)    

Gill Blackburn (Co-opted Member) 

Tony Lank (HP&SCPC Member) 

Judith Marsh (HP&SCPC Member) 

Rodney Jackson (HP&SCPC Member) 

Cc:      Members of Council 

            Richard Speller  (WSCC Highways) 

            Peter Griffiths (MSDC District Ward Cllr)  

  District Council Ward Members