Agenda and minutes

The Chairman welcomed  PC Dianne Sorrell, John  Crawley, and George Thornton to their first meeting of the Sub-Committee.

Consider Minute of Meeting of 16 May  2016. (copy attached).

The Minute of meeting of the Tweeddale Area Forum A72 Action Sub-Committee held on 6 September  2016 had been circulated.

DECISION

APPROVED.

2.       There had been circulated copies of a briefing note prepared by the Asset Manager and the Network Manager.     The note summarised the matters discussed by the Sub-Committee at their meetings held on 24 March and 16 May 2016.  The note advised that the Council’s Asset Management section was responsible for Revenue and Capital maintenance works in connection with all adopted Roads, Bridges and St Lighting assets.   In undertaking this role Officers used inspection and condition information to evaluate assets which had been identified as being in need of treatment or repair. This evaluation process allowed an annual planned programme of works to be compiled for completion within the level of budgets allocated. The asset types / treatments were detailed in the report together with the projects which had been included in the planned programme of works on the A72 between Galashiels and Skirling for the year 2016/17.

3.       A report on the A72 had been presented to the Tweeddale Area Forum on 2 September 2015 which advised on the position regarding the condition of the A72 and on the identified sections highlighted for Surface treatment. The report advised that the Council participated in a national assessment of road conditions, Scottish Road Maintenance Condition Surveys (SRMCS). This information produced a road condition indicator consistently across all roads in Scotland.   The survey measured a number of condition criteria, namely:-  (a) texture (roughness of the road);  (b) rutting (wheel tracking);  (c) longitudinal profile (smoothness of ride); and (d) cracking. The Statutory Performance Indicator for the condition of the Scottish Local Authority road network was defined as “the percentage of the road network which should be considered for maintenance treatment”.  Information on the overall results from the SRMCS and the RCI were detailed in the report. 

4.       In relation to the Capital Scheme the report advised that over the years as well as implemented improvements such as Clovenfords to the Nest potential schemes had been identified on certain locations on the A72 and these were detailed in the report.    However only a revised Dirtpot Corner scheme was currently in the Council’s 10 year financial plan and the prospects for future major schemes were very limited in the current economic climate.

5.       A list of specific topics and issues raised at previous meetings of the sub-committee together with Officers’ comments is detailed in the Appendix to this Minute.

6.       Iain Lamb referred to speed limit where the A72 joined the A701 and referred to the centre of Blyth Bridge off the A72 and the dangers when children got on and off schools buses where there was no speed limit.   Officers confirmed that a review  of this  speed limit was on their list.  In regard to flooding issues in the Blyth Bridge Area, David  Richardson advised he would take these issues back to his team and advised that SEPA would be involved.   George Thornton and Councillor Bell expressed concerns regarding the two sections of the A72 between Clovenfords and Walkerburn as detailed in para  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

The next meeting would be held on Thursday, 20 October 2016 at 6.00 p.m. in the Council Offices, Rosetta Road, Peebles.