Agenda and draft minutes

The Evacuation Procedure was noted.

There were no declarations on interest.

Minutes of the Last Meeting held on 22 September 2022

Consideration was given to the Appeals and Complaints Committee Minutes from the meeting which was held on 22nd September 2022 for approval and signature.

RESOLVED that the minutes be approved and signed as a correct record by the Chairman.

The Committee considered and agreed a proposed procedure for the meeting, which the Chairman explained ahead of the following item.

RESOLVED that the procedure be agreed.

The committee were presented with a report to seek members’ views on unresolved objections received following the statutory advertising of a proposal to implement a range of restrictions associated with the Norton Town Centre Improvement scheme.

The scheme involved the reconfiguration of Norton High Street/South Road junction and the removal of the island and vehicular access at Harland Place. A northbound One-Way system of operation on High Street from the Norton Road junction up to its junction with South Road including prohibiting driving on that length of High Street north of the island at the Norton Road/High Street junction.

A 20mph speed limit on the section of High Street and South Road from its junctions with Norton Road in the south, to the north of the Darlington Lane/High Street roundabout. A reversal of the existing northbound One-Way system of operation to southbound One-Way on the High Street west side service road. The provision of two humped Puffin crossings at the existing Puffin crossings on the High Street and a raised junction at the High Street/ Holly Street junction. Additional parking, loading bays, taxi bays and disabled bays were proposed. Amendments to existing waiting/loading restrictions and new waiting/loading restrictions were proposed. An extension of the bus lane on Norton Road was also proposed as part of the scheme

The Principal Transport Officer presented the main report to members. The officers report also contained the representations received from members of the public in response to the statutory consultation process in full which were summarised to the committee, alongside officers’ responses, full details of

which were contained within the main report.

The committee were also informed that since the original report an objector had withdrawn their objection relating to concerns of traffic congestion around the junction of High Street, South Road and High Street west side service road and egress from Norton Methodist Church, and therefore required no further consideration, leaving one remaining objection.

It was noted that as well as members of the public, ward members and a officers traffic group were also consulted in terms of the Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) which was made up of emergency services, taxi and bus operators.

The Principal Transport Officer highlighted that Stockton High Street had some similar features to the current proposal in Norton, such as a 20mph one way system and raised features.

An objector attended the committee and was given the opportunity to make representation. His comments could be summarised as follows:

- a question was raised as to whether there was still to be a bus stop outside the White Swan public house

- clarity was sought in relation to the 75mm height of some of the proposed ramps compared to the one which was already in place at Norton Duck Pond which was claimed to be 150mm and was considered to be too high

- 20mph speed limit was unnecessary as there was very little excessive speed on the high street, unlike neighbouring residential estates where drivers were speeding.

Ward  ...  view the full minutes text for item ACC/15/22