To consider any decision of the Executive referred to this Committee for review  in accordance with Procedure Rule 10.10 of Part D2. 

The Committee was advised that a decision of the Traffic Management Meeting on 07 January 2013 had been called-in by Cllr Nigel Young as a ward Member in accordance with Procedure Rule 10.10 of Part D2 of the Constitution.  Cllr Young stated he had called in the decision relating to a proposed 7.5 tonne goods vehicle weight restriction on the Poynters Road area, Dunstable in order to clarify the Executive Member’s decision.

In accordance with the public participation procedure a member of the public was invited to speak.  The speaker raised the following issues on behalf of the Poynters Road Action Group:-

• Recommendations relating to the 7.5 tonne goods vehicle weight restriction should be implemented immediately.
• There were presently excessive levels of pollution in the Poynters Road area.
• Traffic flow in the Poynters Road area was presently poor.
• The letter presented to the Traffic Management Meeting on behalf of A S Watson contained serious generalisations.

In response to the public speaker a Member asked whether a lorry ban could be extended to Park Road North.  In response the Executive Member commented that a restriction could be added on this road in the future but presently it was not included in the Freight Strategy.  In addition to providing support to the call-in the Committee agreed that the information that was requested to be provided prior to the implementation of the proposed weight restriction should be made available as quickly as possible.  It was also agreed that the interim remedial measures should be completed not later than the opening of the Woodside Link.

In addition the Committee agreed that the resident should be invited to attend the Traffic Management Meeting when they reconsidered the Call-in to present points on behalf of the Poynters Road Action Group.

RESOLVED

That the decision of the Traffic Management Meeting relating to the Poynters Road Area, Dunstable be referred back to the Committee for consideration at their next scheduled meeting with the following alternative recommendations:-

1.                  That the 7.5 tonne weight limit on Poynters Road will be implemented in line with the Councils adopted Freight Strategy

2.                  That prior to the implementation of the 7.5 tonne weight limit the following take place:-

2.1             Information

2.1.1       The provision of satisfactory air quality monitoring reports on Luton Road and Poynters Road (post busway completion);

2.1.2       An economic impact assessment which resolves the issues raised by A.S. Watson;

2.1.3       A reassessment of the impact of reduced traffic on Luton Road following the reopening of the Busway.

2.2             Interim Remedial/ Mitigation Measures:

2.2.1       Poynters Road resurfacing with noiseless drain covers/ set back drainage

2.2.2       Advisory freight route signage on Luton Road Westbound at Skimpot Roundabout and at appropriate locations on the Woodside and adjacent industrial estates.

2.2.3       Boscombe Road gyratory/ traffic signals to be remodelled

3.         That Implementation of the scheme take place when the above satisfactory information is reported to the Executive Member / Traffic Management Meeting and the above interim remedial measures have been completed but not later than the opening of the Woodside Link.