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Agenda item

Traffic and Road Safety Issues in the Severnside Area

Minutes:

The Chair welcomed guests and members of the public to the meeting.

 

 

Members of public were invited to speak, during which various concerns were raised and the following comments were made;

 

·         Removal of tolls will have a huge impact, seems that everyone has their own agenda and we need joined up thinking

 

·         Why is another survey needed? We need actions, not words

 

·         Pedestrian and cyclist safety in Undy is not considered

 

In response Group Engineer Paul Keeble responded by explaining that funding had been sourced and that road safety is a current priority of the council. The results of the survey will be made available to the committee.

 

County Councillor Frances Taylor asked that the Officers of the Council address the concerns raised by residents and provide reassurance to residents that the Council are taking these concerns seriously.

 

Superintendent Ian Roberts of Gwent Police addressed the committee, explaining the criteria used by the police and partner agencies to address traffic issues and the options in place to combat them.

 

Police Crime Commissioner Jeff Cuthbert advised the committee that the issues raised were operational issues for Gwent Police and explained his role in the process.

 

County Councillor Jim Higginson spoke of the need for more police resources in the Severnside Area and his desire for a more visible police presence in the towns.

 

Police Crime Commissioner Jeff Cuthbert responded that police visibility is a priority everywhere and the force is currently recruiting for more officers. He went on to explain to the committee that the nature of crime has dramatically altered, with levels of cyber-crime increasing and that the keyword is balance, we must ensure we get this right.

 

Local resident Trevor Harris raised the issue of the number of accidents and near misses which have taken place on and around the B4245 and asked why that there had been a dramatic cut in police visibility in the locality when villages have trebled in size.

 

Mr Harris spoke of the speeding, noise and environmental issues faced due to the increased traffic in the area and asked that action was taken immediately.

 

County Councillor Alan Davies spoke on behalf of his ward residents when commenting on road safety issues. He advised the committee that 75 percent of recent contact from residents related to road safety issues. He advised the committee of an Elected Member road safety task group who are currently working with partner agencies to attempt to resolve road safety on a countywide basis.

 

A representative of Magor & Undy CPP spoke of the need for better signage.

County Councillor Lisa Dymock appreciated speed test results but spoke of resident’s perceptions and the need for residents to get involved in a solution.

 

In response Superintendent Roberts spoke of local speed watch initiates and the possibility of assisting groups with equipment. He spoke of the need for greater engagement with the community and the need for solutions.

 

Mr Trevor Harris asked if 20mph zones would be an option, especially in highly populated areas and around schools.

 

County Councillor Frances Taylor applauded the offer of resources being offered to local speed watch groups and highlighted the importance of signage. County Councillor Frances Taylor also spoke of the need to encourage mindfulness and the need for a change in the behaviour of people speeding.

 

Police Crime Commissioner Jeff Cuthbert agreed that education is better than enforcement, he offered to look into the cost of equipment.

 

The Chair thanked everyone for their comments and looks forward to an update at the next meeting.