There were no apologies for absence for this meeting.

The following interests were declared at the meeting:

(a)  Councillor Collins - Agenda Item No. 5 (Traffic Regulation Order (Waiting Restriction) in The Maze – Non-pecuniary interest: two residents of The Maze have spoken to him regarding the restrictions;

(b)  Councillor Collins - Agenda Item No. 6 Traffic Regulation Orders – Objections (Junction Protection) – Non-pecuniary interest in items listed below: Lives in the vicinity and residents have spoken to him about the proposals:

Green Lane/Parkway Close

Green Lane/Roach Vale

Green Lane/Byfield

Green Lane/Wren Avenue

Green Lane/Nobles Green Road

Green Lane/Dandies Drive

Hudson Road/Hudson Crescent/Lambeth Road

Hudson Road/Hudson Road/Pinewood Avenue

Eastwood Rise/Springwater Road.

(c)  Councillor Cowan – Agenda Item No. 5 (Traffic Regulation Order (Waiting Restriction) in The Maze – Non-pecuniary interest: Worked with residents regrding the adoption of the roads in the Ekco Estate which was mentioned in the debate;

(d)  Councillors Buck, Cox, D Garston, Jarvis and Moring – Agenda Item No. 10 (Eastern Avenue Safety Scheme) – Non-pecuniary interest: The Notice of Motion to Council was signed by the Councillors in the conservative group;

(e)  Councillor D Garston – Agenda Item No. 8 (Traffic Regulation Orders (Waiting Restrictions – Safety Schemes) – Non-pecuniary interest: Has spoken with residents in respect of the proposals in Earls Hall Avenue:

(f)  Councillor Nevin – Agenda Item No. 6 (Traffic Regulation Orders – Objections (Junction Protection) – Non-pecuniary interest: Has spoken with residents of her ward regarding the proposals in Hermitage Road and Cavendish Gardens/Holyrood Drive;

(g)  Councillor Nevin – Agenda Item No. 8 (Traffic Regulation Orders (Waiting Restrictions – Safety Schemes) – Non-pecuniary interest: Has spoken with residents regarding the proposals in Clifton Road, Manor Road and Seaforth Road; and

(h)  Councillor Woodley – Agenda Item No. 11 (Petition – Burges Road Traffic Calming Measures) – Non-pecuniary interest: Presented petition at Council on behalf of residents.

Resolved:-

That the Minutes of the meeting held on Monday 14^th September 2020 be received and confirmed as a correct record.

Resolved:-

That the Minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday, 22^nd September 2020 be received and confirmed as a correct record.

The Working Party received a report of the Executive Director (Neighbourhoods and Environment) that presented the representations that had been received in response to the statutory consultation for a traffic regulation order introducing waiting restrictions in The Maze, Eastwood, Leigh on Sea.

The report also sought an appropriate recommendation to the Cabinet Committee on the way forward in respect of these proposals, following consideration of all the representations that had been received in writing and at the meeting. 

Written submissions from the objector and one of the residents in support of the proposals were read out at the meeting.

In the event that the traffic regulation order was confirmed, the Chair gave his assurances that the double yellow line markings would not be installed until the adoption of the highway had been completed.

Resolved:-

That the Cabinet Committee be recommended that The Southend-on-Sea Borough Council (Various Roads) (Stopping, Waiting, Loading and Unloading Prohibitions and Restrictions, Parking Places and Permit Parking Zones)(Consolidation) Order 2016 (Amendment No. 5) Order 2020 be confirmed as advertised and the proposals implemented.

The Working Party received a report of the Executive Director (Neighbourhoods and Environment) that presented the representations that had been received in response to the statutory consultation for a traffic regulation order for the introduction of waiting restrictions in the form of junction protections at the sites listed in Appendix 1 of the submitted report.

The report also sought an appropriate recommendation to the Cabinet Committee on the way forward in respect of these proposals, following consideration of all the representations that had been received in writing and at the meeting.  An objector to the proposals at the junction of Hudson Road and Pinewood Avenue attended the meeting to present his objection.

With reference to the proposals in Thorpe Hall Avenue, the Working Party felt that the restrictions should be extended to the entrance of the car park to the flats.

With reference to the proposed waiting restrictions at the junction of Hudson Road with Pinewood Avenue, the Working Party concluded that the restrictions could be reduced 10 metres.

Resolved:-

That the Cabinet Committee be recommended that, subject to the reduction of the waiting restrictions in Hudson Road and Pinewood Avenue to 10 metres, The Southend-on-Sea Borough Council (Various Roads) (Stopping, Waiting, Loading and Unloading Prohibitions and Restrictions, Parking Places and Permit Parking Zones)(Consolidation) Order 2016 (Amendment No. 4) Order 2020 be confirmed and the proposals implemented.

The Working Party received a report of the Executive Director (Neighbourhoods and the Environment) informing Councillors of the commencement of the consultation and implementation of the relevant Traffic Regulation Orders in respect of various Junction Protection Schemes across the Borough. The list of proposed schemes was attached at Appendix 1 to the submitted report.

In the light of the proposal to extend the approved junction protection at Thorpe Hall Avenue, the Working Party concluded that the Cabinet Committee should be requested that the proposal be included as part of these schemes.

Resolved:-

That subject to the inclusion of the extension of the approved junction protection waiting restrictions in Thorpe Hall Avenue from its junction with the roundabout at Acacia Drive northwards to the entrance of the car park to the flats, the Cabinet Committee be recommended that the list of no waiting at any time junction protection schemes as set out in Appendix 1 to the submitted report be noted.

The Working Party received a report of the Executive Director (Neighbourhoods and the Environment) that sought approval of the commencement of consultation and implementation of a Traffic Regulation Orders to introduce no waiting restrictions in the sections of road set out in Appendix 1 to the submitted report.

Resolved:-

That Cabinet Committee be recommended to authorise the Executive Director (Neighbourhoods & Environment) to undertake the statutory consultation and prepare the requisite traffic regulation order for the introduction of “no waiting at any time” restrictions in the sections of road set out in Appendix 1 to the submitted report and, subject to there being no objections following statutory advertisement to arrange for the order to be confirmed and the proposals implemented.  Any unresolved objections will be submitted to the Traffic Regulations Working Party and Cabinet Committee for consideration.

The Working Party received a report of the Executive Director (Neighbourhoods and Environment) that provided an update on the implementation of the extension of the junction protection and the informal consultation with residents regarding potential additional restrictions in Thames Close, Leigh on Sea.

On the basis of the results of the informal consultation, the Working Party felt that the statutory consultation for no waiting at any time restrictions in the entire road should be undertaken.

Resolved:-

That the report be noted and that the Cabinet Committee be recommended to authorise the Executive Director (Neighbourhoods & Environment) to undertake the statutory consultation and prepare the requisite traffic regulation order for the introduction of “no waiting at any time” restrictions in the entire length of Thames Close, Leigh on Sea, and, subject to there being no objections following statutory advertisement to arrange for the order to be confirmed and the proposals implemented.  Any unresolved objections will be submitted to the Traffic Regulations Working Party and Cabinet Committee for consideration.

The Working Party received a report of the Executive Director (Neighbourhoods and Environment) that presented the findings of an independent Road Safety Review (RSR) on the westbound carriageway of Eastern Avenue between Weybourne Gardens and Sutton Road.

The report also responded to the Notice of Motion received by Council at its meeting on 10th September 2020 (Minute 320 refers). A copy of the Notice of Motion was attached to the report at Appendix 1.

The Working Party discussed the matter and possible options in some detail and concluded that the most appropriate solution would be the installation of an average speed camera enforcement scheme on both sides of Eastern Avenue between Hamstel Road and Sutton Road (Option E in the submitted report). 

The Working Party was informed that the support of the Police, as the appropriate enforcement authority for speeding vehicles, would be required for any camera enforcement scheme.  It was therefore recommended that a letter be sent to the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner and the Chief Constable, signed by the leaders of all four groups on the Council, highlighting the Council’s concerns and urging the Police to support the proposals.  In the meantime, further data would be collated to support the case for the scheme.

The Working Party was also informed that a bid would need to be submitted for Capital Funding to finance any scheme.

Resolved:-

That Cabinet Committee be recommended:

1.  That average speed camera enforcement scheme on both sides of Eastern Avenue between Hamstel Road and Sutton Road, should be pursued (Option E in the submitted report).

2.  That the Executive Director (Neighbourhoods and Environment) submit a bid for Capital Funding to finance the scheme.

3.  That the Executive Director (Neighbourhoods and Environment) prepare a letter to the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex and the Chief Constable, urging them to support the introduction of the average speed camera enforcement scheme in this section of Eastern Avenue, to be signed by the leaders of all four groups on the Council.

Pursuant to Minute 296 of the meeting of Council held on 10^th September 2020, the Working Party received a report of the Executive Director (Neighbourhoods and Environment) on the petition for traffic calming measures and speed restrictions to be introduced in Burges Road.

In response to questions regarding the number of other roads which suffered from significant number of vehicles exceeding the speed limit, the Chair gave his assurances that the list of streets where vehicles are exceeding the speed limit, considered by the Traffic Regulations Working Party and Cabinet Committee at its meeting on 6^th January 2020 would be recirculated.  He also gave assurances that any petitions that had been received requesting for traffic calming schemes in those roads would be prioritised.

Resolved:-

That Cabinet Committee be recommended that further speed monitoring be undertaken in Burges Road, the results of which be reported to the Traffic Regulations Working Party and Cabinet Committee in 6 months.

The Working Party received a report of the Executive Director (Neighbourhoods and Environment concerning the possible extension of the 20mph zone along Eastern Esplanade and the introduction of average speed camera enforcement.

The Working Party discussed the matter in some detail and concluded that the suggested scheme should cover the entire seafront eastwards from Marine Parade including Eastern Esplanade, Thorpe Esplanade, B1016 and Ness Road.  It should also incorporate the introduction of pedestrian crossing facilities as discussed at its meeting on 24th February 2020 (Minute 851 of Cabinet Committee refers).

Resolved:-

That Cabinet Committee be recommended that further monitoring of traffic speeds and accidents in Eastern Esplanade be undertaken and that a feasibility report with recommendations, including the identification of appropriate locations for the introduction of appropriate formalised pedestrian crossings, whether signal controlled or otherwise, be submitted to the Traffic Regulations Working Party and Cabinet Committee for consideration in 6 months.

The Chair agreed that this item be considered at this meeting as an urgent additional item on the basis that a decision is required on the progression of the installation of the traffic controlled junction scheme at this location at the earliest opportunity on the grounds of highway safety.

The Working Party received a report of the Executive Director (Neighbourhoods and Environment that sought approval of the commencement of consultation and implementation of Traffic Regulation Orders at the junction of Bournemouth Park Road and Eastern Avenue in accordance with the statutory processes.

The Working Party was informed that the principle of the installation of the traffic controls at this junction had already been approved and that approval was now being sought for the introduction of the proposed restrictions to ensure the safe movement of traffic as part of the scheme.

Resolved:-

That the Cabinet Committee be recommended to authorise the Executive Director (Neighbourhoods and Environment) to commence the statutory consultation process for the introduction of the no U-Turn restrictions on Eastern Avenue and proposed waiting restrictions as set out in Appendix 1 of the submitted report  and, subject to there being no objections received following statutory notice, to implement the proposals. Any unresolved objections will be referred back to the Working Party and Cabinet Committee for consideration.