Agenda item

(a)  That Whittle Parkway was not paved, metalled, flagged, made good and lighted to the satisfaction of the Council as the street works authority in accordance with Section 205 (1) of the Highways Act 1980.

(b)  That the Transport and Highways Team apply the strict criteria for a private street works scheme as set out in part of XI of the Highways Act 1980 and Sections 205 to 218 (The Private Street works code) on Whittle Parkway.

(c)  That the specification of the highways works shown in 290-SBC-GEN-WP-100DR D 0002 for the estimate of £86,572.42 which was the probable expenses of the works and provisional apportionment of the probable expenses to ‘The Trust’ be approved.

(d)  That the Council adopt the section of the highway as set out in drawing 290-SBC-GEN-WP-100DR D 0002 pursuant to Section 228 of the Highways Act 1980.

(e)  That the Council investigate measures to improve road safety and ease congestion between Walpole Road and Whittle Parkway section and undertake any work arising from these investigations as required.

(f)  That officers consider further measures to address wider road safety, transport and highway issues in the vicinity of the Huntercombe Spur.

The Cabinet considered a report that sought resolution to take the necessary action to undertake highway improvement works to Whittle Parkway, Slough.

The background to the issue was summarised and it was recognised that Whittle Parkway was unadopted and required highway works to address a number of safety concerns and bring it up to standard.  Funding for the works was available as set out in the Section 106 Agreement for 1 Whittle Parkway, however, the landowner had not given consent for the works and adoption was required to carry out the necessary improvement to lighting and pavements etc.  It was also recommended that the Council investigate measures to improve road safety and ease congestion between Walpole Road and Whittle Parkway.

Councillors Strutton and Wright addressed the Cabinet under Rule 30 and highlighted that there were a number of access and safety issues that needed to be addressed in the vicinity beyond the proposed works to Whittle Parkway.  They stated a wider approach was needed to address congestion and safety issues including more proactive enforcement action.

The Cabinet noted the concerns and agreed that officers should explore the wider options to address the traffic problems in the locality.  A report back to the Cabinet, and if appropriate involving scrutiny, should be made at a future date if significant works or actions were identified.  It was proposed and agreed that recommendation (e) be amended to make clear that investigations to improve road safety and ease congestion between Walpole Road and Whittle Parkway section should be followed by the necessary works should be carried out arising from the investigations.  The Cabinet recognised that this had been a difficult issue with no agreement between the parties involved, however, in the absence of consent from the landowner to carry out the important safety and improvement works it would be necessary to adopt the section of highway set out.  The recommendations were therefore approved.

Resolved –

(a)  That Whittle Parkway was not paved, metalled, flagged, made good and lighted to the satisfaction of the Council as the street works authority in accordance with Section 205 (1) of the Highways Act 1980.

(b)  That the Transport and Highways Team apply the strict criteria for a private street works scheme as set out in part of XI of the Highways Act 1980 and Sections 205 to 218 (The Private Street works code) on Whittle Parkway.

(c)  That the specification of the highways works shown in 290-SBC-GEN-WP-100DR D 0002 for the estimate of £86,572.42 which was the probable expenses of the works and provisional apportionment of the probable expenses to ‘The Trust’ be approved.

(d)  That the Council adopt the section of the highway as set out in drawing 290-SBC-GEN-WP-100DR D 0002 pursuant to Section 228 of the Highways Act 1980.

(e)  That the Council investigate measures to improve road safety and ease congestion between Walpole Road and Whittle Parkway section and undertake any work arising from these investigations as required.

(f)  That officers consider further measures to address wider road safety, transport and highway issues in the vicinity of the Huntercombe Spur.