Agenda item

Considered - a report by Nigel Smith, Head of Highway Operations and Jayne Charlton Area Manager Areas 1 and 2 apprising Members of how flooding issues at Morton Flatts are being addressed alongside the current position on highways matters across the constituency committee area and how they are being addressed. The main issues addressed in the report were as follows:

Flooding at Morton Flatts.

How a decision is taken on which roads are to be repaired and the how priorities are determined.

The actual process undertaken for repairing potholes.

In relation to the flooding issues it was stated that the issues detailed related to flooding from the River Swale onto the A684 at Morton-on-Swale. The flooding had resulted in the road being closed on numerous occasions with eleven named storms, in recent years, creating a major impact. Diversion routes were implemented when flooding occurred but this, alongside the flooding, was creating pressure to the highways network and was inflicting additional damage that required repair.

Issues around communicating the diversions were outlined and it was emphasised that routes were only provided on an advisory basis.

In the short term a review of permanent signage and barriers would be undertaken. In the medium term electronic signage was being considered, given the success of the electronic road closure/flooding signage on the A684 at Wensleydale. Careful consideration would be required as to where best to place this signage to prevent people from approaching the closed route and utilising alternatives. In the long term a plan had been devised to re-route the highway to try and eliminate the flooding issues. Further exploration of the potential to develop this route would be undertaken.

Discussion of the report with Members saw the following points raised:

-        It was essential that the deployment of electronic signs was carefully planned to ensure that diversions were in the appropriate place allowing vehicle users to use the appropriate route well in advance.

-        The local Member stated that she was restricted in what she could say in view of the pre-election period but welcomed action being taken to address the situation.

-        A Member referred to the difficulty in placing electronic signs for this purpose as they had to take account of where people had set off and where they are going. He noted that there was an appropriate diversion route between Catterick and Northallerton, but advising of the routes, in the appropriate places was the difficulty. He emphasised that the long-term solution of providing a by-pass was the most appropriate solution but that was dependent upon identifying the necessary funding.

-        A communication plan is in place for when flooding occurs at the location with local Parish Councils and representatives of appropriate organisations contacted as soon as a flooding event was taking place. Further development of that communications network would be undertaken until the signage solution could be implemented. Further opportunities to enhance social media alerts were also being explored, enabling the wider community to be informed.

-        Details requested by Members were included in the other sections of the report.

-        It was requested that a further report be brought to a subsequent meeting in relation to the winter maintenance programme, particularly winter gritting details for the Constituency area. A Member suggested that this could be the subject of an all Member Seminar, however, other Members considered that this would require far too much information to be provided and suggested it would be better delivered on a Constituency area basis, which was agreed.

-        It was noted that Members could raise any relevant issues with Highways Officers at their regular catch-up meetings.

Resolved

That the report, and issues raised, be noted, with a further report on winter maintenance to be submitted to a subsequent meeting.