Agenda item

Purpose: An opportunity for LAF members to update the Forum on District Council liaison and other LAF representative project activity since the last meeting.

Considered –

The report of the Secretary giving LAF members the opportunity to update the Forum on Council liaison and other LAF representative project activity since the last meeting. 

In addition to the information provided within the report, Rachel Connolly provided an update on the A1 upgrade.  Members heard that National Highways (NH) were not sympathetic to non-motorised users, with few of the provisions promised at Public Inquiry achieved.

One safety issue had been corrected at Tunstall Bridge, the signs which had originally been installed in the wrong place had been moved, however there were still issues outstanding, but it had been confirmed that there would be no further mitigation measures taken.

Andy Brown highlighted that CAS had engaged with local landowners, with the support of NH, to request some improvements to the principal bridleway network on land alongside the A1, but none of the landowners approached would agree to the creation of new bridleways on their land.  Therefore, without the evidence for a Creation Order, this was not something that CAS could progress further, unless NH were to purchase additional land.

The Chair requested that the minutes reflect the Forums concerns and dissatisfaction with the behaviour and actions of National Highways, who it was felt did not take their responsibilities seriously.  This was reflected by few of the provisions which had been promised by National Highways at the Public Inquiry, actually achieved for the A1 upgrade.  It was also felt that North Yorkshire County Council had not provided robust support at the time.

In terms of Bedale by-pass, Mr Kelly advised Members that CAS had thoroughly investigated the matter with landowners but had now exhausted all avenues of enquiry and had not been able to secure a Creation Agreement.  In response to a question by Rachel Connolly regarding the possibility of obtaining a Creation Order, Mr Kelly explained that he would be feeding the information back to colleagues in the Highways Team, and that he would keep Members appraised of the situation.

Members discussed the planning sub-group update report, and in particular the need for standardisation across the 7 area offices following the local government review.  Rachel Connolly informed Members that the standardisation was an ongoing process; each area has the same software, but that it was used differently at each area office.  It was noted that the planning sub-group had put together a “blueprint” report based on the East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s method of Local Plan organisation and their treatment of access which had been sent to the Assistant Director for Planning.  The Chair requested that this report be re-sent.  Finally, the Secretary was asked to amend the wording in appendix 2 of the report, second paragraph, to read “7 area offices”, and then forward the document to the Assistant Director of Planning for information and comment.     

Resolved - That

i.                The additional information provided at the meeting be noted, alongside the written updates provided in the report;

ii.              The Forum’s dissatisfaction with the failings of National Highways in regard to the A1 upgrade be put on public record;

iii.             Members to be kept informed regarding the need of a Creation Order for the Bedale by-pass;

iv.             The Secretary amended the wording in appendix 2 of the report, second paragraph, to read “7 area offices”, and then forward appendix 2 and the “blueprint” report to the Assistant Director of Planning for information and comment.