South Somerset Market Towns Investment Group
I would like to update you all on what has happened since the last MTIG meeting on the 5th June.
Priority Schemes
An email has been sent to Ioan Rees, Head of Highways and Passenger Transport, and Beverley Norman, Traffic Team Manager, of Highways to respond to the concerns that were raised in the meeting on the 5th June with a renewed request for the development of a protocol or something similar, which charts the route scheme proposal(s) that require permission or further action from the Highways Service should take to be resolved. This should include contact names and target response times.
It has also been requested that the Market Towns Investment Group is added to the Highways list of consultees for new programmes (e.g. The Provision of Speed Indicator Devices) and any relevant changes in Highways Services in South Somerset.
A very positive response has been received from Councillor Tony Shire. As a result Beverley Norman, Traffic Team Manager, will act as a liaison and progress chaser for all MTIG schemes. She will also be able to provide quarterly updates to MTIG on relevant schemes in the LTP programme. Further details are expected shortly.
Therefore the meeting arranged for the 14th August at the Brympton Way Offices for the representatives of MTIG to meet with Cllr Jill Shortland, Leader of SCC, has been CANCELLED. Please remove it from your diaries if you have not already done so.
Current status of Schemes
Bruton
The scheme proposal in Bruton is for a 20mph zone in the centre covering Quaperlake Street, the High Street, Patwell Street, Plox and Leggs Bridge areas. The possible start date of works was originally late Spring 2008 but is going to be later in the year now. There is currently ongoing liaison between South Somerset District Council, Bruton Town Council and affected property owners.
Castle Cary
The Town Council have received a report from Highways regarding their traffic calming scheme. This is to be discussed at the next Town Council meeting.
Chard
The new lighting columns in Fore Street were due to be erected in August, however this scheme has been expanded and will now include street furniture including sign posts, seating and litter bins which will delay the timescale. This scheme is part of a jointly funded proposed project with Cllr Jill Shortland making a contribution from her local scheme budget.
Crewkerne
There has been a lot of work going on in the background of the De-clutter scheme. The draft de-clutter audit is complete and in the hands of the County Highways and the Town Council have a copy for information. SCC Cllr John Dyke would like to meet the officers on site very soon to discuss the principles and where we go from here.
The District Council Streetscene department have been very co-operative and helpful and have passed on information on their litterbin audit. They have agreed that subject to a risk assessment, Crewkerne Civic Society can remove all the dog-fouling and anti-litter stickers and also redundant brackets in the conservation area. They have agreed not to replace them (even with permanent signs) subject to monitoring the situation. They have also agreed to the replacement of litter bins with an agreed single design and will pay for the installation and relocation provided we provide the funding for the bins.
There will be a stall in Falkland Square on 25th July to get the public's reaction to initial thoughts on street clutter.
Ilminster
The Ilminster representatives are still waiting for a response from Highways regarding their pavement enhancement scheme.
Langport
The Langport representatives were pleased to receive the Speed Sign information with the MTIG minutes but were hoping to have more information about the suitability of the signs to their schemes.
Martock
No new update to report on the Traditional Victorian Street lighting project.
Somerton
Like Langport, the Somerton representatives were hoping to have more information about the suitability of the signs to their schemes.
South Petherton
No new updates to report on the flashing speed sign and bus shelter projects.
Wincanton
The Moor Lane Cycle/footpath scheme is awaiting slippage from other highways projects to bring the LTP2 funding forward.
CCTV Protocol
More costs have been identified for the deployment of the cameras. A meeting has been held with the SSDC Engineers and Avon and Somerset Police to discuss a way forward. The Police have now agreed to additional joint funding to extend the deployment costs of the cameras over a 3 year period and to cover the cost of the downloading of the photographs for an additional year after the 2 year free period.
The protocol is now in its 4th full draft. I am aiming to circulate the final CCTV Protocol to you all before the next MTIG meeting in September.
Radiolink
Radiolink training has taken place in Chard on the 8th, 10th and 18th July for the Chard and Ilminster schemes.
Crewkerne Pubwatch is in the process of being set up.
The PCSO's have been out to see the traders in Martock, South Petherton, Langport and Somerton to find their level of interest in Radiolink.
The traders in the towns of Somerton and Langport have shown little interest in the scheme. Each town has two public houses, but this is not enough business open at night to make a pubwatch scheme viable.
More interest has been shown in Martock and South Petherton but unfortunately the commitment from the towns is not enough to run a scheme.
Castle Cary traders have shown little interest in a Radiolink scheme for their town. It is unlikely that it will go ahead.
Radiolink has been discussed at the Wincanton PACT and Business Together meetings. Wincanton Town Council has prioritised CCTV over Radiolink for their town and is currently considering a CCTV proposal. Radiolink will be looked at in conjunction with CCTV when this has been agreed.
Creating an Investment Programme for Economic Development in Market Town Areas (MTA)
The draft proposal is still in preparation and should be circulated shortly.
Visitors Audit Proposal
The other Market Town Co-ordinators are helping Natalie to collate the information for the proposed Visitor Audit scheme. You should receive a more detailed update about this in time for the next MTIG meeting in September.
Thank you for your continued interest. I hope you find this update useful.
Best regards
Nicola Doble
Market Town Vision Support Officer