New for Summer 2011: Guy’s May 2011 Portfolio Holder’s Report

Written on June 30, 2011 at 4:15 pm

PORTFOLIO HOLDER’S REPORT TO COUNTY COUNCIL

26 MAY 2011

Portfolio Holder:	Councillor Guy McGregor, Portfolio Holder for Roads, Transport and Planning
Contact Details:	Tel: 01473 264384 Email: guy.mcgregor@suffolk.gov.uk
Portfolio Responsibilities:	Public Transport; Roads; Rail; Ports; Airports; Rights of Way; Spatial Planning; Waste Planning; Coast and Flooding and Archaeology

1. Regional Transport Forum

On the 11 March 2011, I attended the Regional Transport Forum (RTF). The Forum received reports and presentations on:

• The future arrangements for the Regional Transport Forum and revised terms of reference;

• The new arrangements at the Department of Transport (DfT) for regional engagement following closure of the Government Office Network on 31 March 2011.  DfT advised that to ensure continuing engagement with local authorities, three new sub-national Transport Hub Teams had been set up, including a South East and East Hub team based at Great Minster House in London. These teams will be the first point of contact for all transport related queries and their role will include working with Local Transport Authorities to provide advice, support and guidance as necessary;

• The Local Sustainable Transport Fund and updated guidance and advice on the application process and procedures;

• The Department for Transport’s Road Network Policy Consultation, which sets out proposed arrangements for devolving the responsibility on the classification of local roads to local authorities.

• A draft final report prepared by Regional Cities East on “Shared Activities in Local Authority Services in the East or England: Report and Case Studies”. These included examples of good practice across the region and opportunities and actions to develop shared activities aimed at meeting the key objectives of efficiency, performance, resilience and delivering sustainable growth.

• The following reports were presented for information:

a)      Budget Statement; and

b)      Major schemes, which confirmed DfT funding for Ipswich Fit for the 21st Century.

1. Trans-European Transport Network Annual Work Programme

I am pleased to note that, with the active support of Suffolk County Council and the Regional Transport Forum, the European Commission recently announced that proposals put forward by Felixstowe Dock and Railway Company on behalf of Hutchison Ports to develop a new North Rail Terminal at the Port of Felixstowe had been provisionally awarded €5,000,000 from trans-European transport network (TEN-T) funds.

This decision should be seen in the context of the EU strategy to improve the capacity of both the rail and road networks within Priority Axis 26 (Railway/Road Axis Republic of Ireland/United Kingdom/Europe) in order to cope with the development in traffic (which includes an increase in the capacity at the Port of Felixstowe) and to further improve links with the rest of the EU. This includes modernising the Felixstowe-Nuneaton railway line, which in turn will increase the current capacity of west-east freight movements across the United Kingdom.

The provision of this new North Rail Terminal at the Port of Felixstowe will improve the efficiency and capacity of a major inter-modal freight transfer station and remove a bottleneck on one of the TEN-T priority corridors.

Final confirmation of the grant is expected in June.

It is also pleasing to note that an award of €4,994,333 was also made to the Nuneaton North Chord and Kennett re-signalling works, also on the Felixstowe – Nuneaton route.

1. A12 Alliance

The A12 Alliance met on the 14 March 2011 and received reports and presentations on:

• The performance of the A12 police patrols, including details of casualties, nature of incidents and proposals to restructure the patrols. These patrols were initially introduced in 2009 with the stated aims of reducing congestion, reducing all classes of road traffic collision, improving confidence in those travelling on the A12, managing incidents in a timely, effective and ‘joined up’ manner and challenging and changing public attitudes and perceptions of safety. The overall response from key stakeholders, including business representatives, on the impact of these patrols has been positive;

• The programme to complete improvements to the M25 between junction 27 (M11) and junction 30 (A13) and related congestion problems at Junction 28 (A12/Brook Street interchange). The Highways Agency and contractor advised that since initial teething problems the introduction of better traffic management and other measures had improved operation at the interchange, which in turn had reduced the levels of congestion, particularly on the A12 southbound approach to this interchange. They were also able to confirm that all works, including the gantry signs and communications, will be completed well in advance of the Olympics;

• A proposed meeting with Mike Penning MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, with Essex/Suffolk Cabinet Members, senior officers and business representatives to discuss the importance of investment in the A12. An initial meeting with DfT officials has been arranged for late May;

• An update from the Highway Agency on A12 trunk road works.

1. MEETING WITH ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL PORTFOLIO HOLDER

I met Councillor Norman Hume the Cabinet Member for Highways and Transportation at Essex County Council on the 13 April to discuss cross boundary and other issues of common interest and importance to both authorities.

Topics discussed included:

• The A12 Alliance and action item agreed at the meeting on the 22 November 2010, for Essex and Suffolk Cabinet Members to meet with Mike Penning MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, to further stress the importance of the A12.  An initial officer meeting with DfT has been arranged on 27 May 2011;

• Issues relating to Sudbury, including the Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) identified in Cross Street, potential actions to address this problem, HGV movements and routeing, impact of the recently completed A12 interchange at Colchester (junction 28) and current position regarding the proposed Northern Approaches Road Stage 3 scheme which will connect the A12 interchange to the A134;

• Rail Issues including Great Eastern Mainline Franchise;

• Various issues relating to the Traffic Management Act, including options to develop a common permit scheme to work on the highway, the response from Mike Penning MP re concerns in Suffolk about the diversion of trunk road traffic onto local roads and current position on the East of England Transport Information Project; and

• National and Regional Issues, including the DfT Road Network Classification Consultation.

1. A12 Hughes Corner

The Highways Agency recently advised that they “are not in a position to progress any further work on this section of the A12, but will continue to monitor the safety performance of the junction, as we do with all sections of the network”.

This is particularly disappointing given the high volume and speed of trunk road traffic that uses this substandard section of A12 and the past accident record, which includes two fatal accidents.

Nevertheless, Mike Penning MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, has indicated in a letter to Peter Aldous MP that his “officials and the Highways Agency will continue to liaise with the local authorities —through the A12 Alliance — in relation to maintenance and small scale improvements for the A12”.

In my view there is a high risk of further accidents occurring on the A12 at this location and with this in mind I will continue to press the Minister, DfT and the Highways Agency to carry out urgent improvements.

1. TRUNK ROAD DIVERSION ROUTES

In my report to County Council on the 2 December 2010, I referred in item 8 to a meeting involving representatives of local communities throughout Suffolk, neighbouring authorities, and key stakeholders to receive a report from the Highways Agency on their proposals for dealing with traffic diverted off the trunk road network in the event of an incident/emergency.

At the end of the meeting the Councillors present agreed that:

• The County Council would confirm it’s position on completing the signing of Emergency Diversion Routes in Suffolk;

• A letter be sent to Phillip Hammond MP, the Secretary of State for Transport, setting out the concerns expressed by elected representatives, which I subsequently actioned on the 11 January; and

• The County Council would contact BBC Radio Suffolk to clarify how, what and when information is received from the Highways Agency, in particular from the National Traffic Control Centre. I subsequently attended a meeting with Peter Cook, the Editor of Radio Suffolk, on the 11 February.

I have since received a response from Mike Penning MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport and the Minister responsible for the strategic road network. In recognising the important issues raised by the elected representatives in Suffolk, the Minister was able to say that:

• On the matter of planned works, all diversions require the County Council’s permission. The Agency does everything it can to keep traffic on the trunk road during planned works and local roads are only used as a last resort.

• The Agency continually monitors the performance of the strategic road network and this includes the provision of additional crossovers in the central reservation where needed. They are often provided as part of major maintenance schemes to allow for contraflow working and, on the A14, are being provided as part of the major Orwell Bridge Bearing Replacement scheme currently taking place.

• As far as the East of England Transport Information Project is concerned, the Department welcomes proposals which seek to make best use of the existing network at a lower cost, especially in the current financial climate. Both the Department and the Agency are continuing to work with Professor Landshoff on this Project.

With the above in mind, the County Council has advised the Highways Agency that it would expect the Agency to do everything it can to keep traffic on the trunk road during planned works and to use local roads as a last resort and that it is unlikely that the County Council will approve use of local diversion routes unless there is a strong and compelling case, which includes evidence showing options that keep trunk road traffic on the trunk road network.

In circumstances where the County Council is minded to approve use of a local diversion route the County Council will want to know the response from community representatives along the diversion route (in particular the Town/Parish Councils) and the relevant County Councillor(s) and agree mitigation measures before it gives formal agreement to the use of local diversion routes.

Following my meeting with the Editor of BBC Radio Suffolk on 11 February, the County Council provided the radio station with details of the trunk road network in Suffolk, including links to Highways Agency website and relevant contact numbers/addresses.

1. A14/A12 Copdock and Dock Spur Roundabout improvements

I have been advised that the contract for the above works, which relate specifically to the Felixstowe South Reconfiguration development and associated Section 278 agreement, was recently awarded to Volker Fitzpatrick contractors by the Highways Agency.

The main works are expected to start in late May.

Recognising the sensitive local issues in the Trimley area and in the vicinity of Copdock Interchange, including Sproughton, the County Council has stressed the need for the Highways Agency and their consultants/contractors:

• To consult with local community representatives (in particular County Councillors and Town/Parish Councils) and key stakeholders likely to be affected and where appropriate and necessary to justify why trunk road traffic will be diverted onto local roads and to agree a package of mitigation measures;

• To agree the dates that specific closures and diversions will be in place as a matter of urgency. This should be based on the principle that diverting trunk road traffic onto local roads in connection with planned works should only be undertaken as a last resort;

• To establish and maintain a positive and proactive system of communication with local community representatives and key stakeholders; and

• To establish and maintain a web site where local residents, businesses and others can access up to date information on progress in implementing these works.

1. National Grid Gas Works Bury St Edmunds

On 13 April 2011, I attended a meeting with local Councillors and key stakeholders in Bury St Edmunds at which National Grid presented their plans to carry out major gas works within Bury St Edmunds to replace existing cast iron and ductile mains requiring all commercial and residential properties supplies to be switched.

I was able to stress the role and responsibility of the County Council in discharging its duty under the Traffic Management Act together with the importance of communication and the views of the local community.

The current phase of these works, which will extend up to early 2012 and involves substantial excavation affecting roads and footways, is expected to have a significant impact on the town and in particular on local businesses and residents.

The County Council will continue to work with National Grid and the local community to manage and minimise the impact of these works and ensure that the communities affected are kept fully informed.

1. Essex and Suffolk Water works in Lowestoft

The Essex and Suffolk Water company is planning to renew around 2000 lead service supply pipes to individual properties in the Kirkley area within Lowestoft and as part of this process the company arranged a stakeholder meeting on the 19 May 2011.

The County Council has highlighted:

• The need to send invitations to a wide range of community representatives, in particular local Councillors, and key stakeholders;

• The role and responsibilities of the County and District Councils, including coordinating works and minimising potential conflict with planned events;

• the role of Essex and Suffolk Water as the main point of contact for all information relating to the works in Lowestoft; and

• the need for Essex and Suffolk Water to maintain a positive and proactive system of communication with the local community, their representatives and key stakeholders and others outside of Lowestoft that may be affected by the works.

1. REVIEW OF Local Radio

Staff at the BBC’s 40 local radio stations were recently briefed on plans to review local radio.

Options being considered include reducing local radio programming to just breakfast and drivetime shows, replacing everything else with content from Radio 5 Live. Concern has been expressed that this may result in the possible closure or merging of some local radio stations and also pooling breakfast and drivetime programmes into bigger regions.

In my view, BBC Radio Suffolk provides a valuable service in keeping local communities in Suffolk informed on issues relevant to the County Council. This includes travel information and disruption caused by weather conditions and also incidents and accidents. My recent meeting with Peter Cook, Managing Editor BBC Radio Suffolk, confirmed the crucial role local radio plays in informing drivers of incidents and accidents on the road network.

The County Council raised this issue at both the Regional Transport Forum (RTF) on the 11 March 2011 and A12 Alliance on the 14 March 2011. The RTF secretariat was tasked to send a letter to the BBC requesting that key stakeholders, including RTF and individual Local Highway Authorities are consulted on their plans. Business representatives at the recent A12 Alliance meeting also expressed concern about the potential impact of the proposed changes to local radio.

1. Rail Franchise

On Tuesday 2 April 2011, the Government set out the level of service it expects from companies bidding to run rail services in Greater Anglia, following publication of the invitation to tender document for the short 17-month franchise the same day.

The new operator will take over from February 2012 and would be responsible for delivering services to destinations from London to Suffolk and across Greater Anglia until at least July 2013.

The invitation to tender has been sent by the DfT to the three short listed companies, these are:

• Abellio Greater Anglia Limited (NV Nederlandse Spoorwegen)
• Eastern Railway Limited (Go-Ahead Group PLC)
• Stagecoach Anglia Trains Limited (Stagecoach Group plc)

As one of the rail franchises serving Stratford and the Olympic stadium the new operator will be responsible for introducing longer and more frequent trains during the London 2012 Olympic Games.

The Greater Anglia franchise will commence on 5 February 2012 and will run for 17 months (expiring in July 2013) with an option to extend by up to 1 year. As part of the bidding process each of the bidders will also need to set out how they intend to improve passenger satisfaction in the service they would provide.

The Government plans to reform rail franchising and to lengthen rail franchises to around 15 years. This shorter franchise will allow time for reforms identified by Sir Roy McNulty’s review of the rail industry’s value for money to be properly considered and built into the terms of the subsequent Greater Anglia franchise.

The Government expects to announce the successful bidders for the Greater Anglia during Autumn 2011.

On 27 April the DfT published the Greater Anglia Franchise ITT for the short 17 month franchise and sent to the 3 short listed bidders.  The good news is that the hourly service to Lowestoft after Beccles loop is completed is included in the ITT.

The Greater Anglia Rail Franchise ITT includes the following:

Bidders should note that no major changes to the current service specification are planned for the duration of this contract, but the existing Ipswich to Saxmundham services will be extended through to Lowestoft when Network Rail has completed work to provide a passing loop at Beccles (target date: December 2012 timetable change). Otherwise Bidders will be required to operate the timetable that is inherited at the start of the contract and to fulfil the role of Timetable Participant as defined in Part D of the Network Code. This will include the submission to Network Rail of the Access proposal for the December 2013 timetable on the Priority Date in February 2013.

A Service Level Commitment will apply. Effectively this limits the changes that can be made to the timetable to those non-material changes which arise from the industry planning process and any changes which are either directed or agreed to by the Department.

1. ARCHAEOLOGICAL SERVICE

The Archaeological Service had a very successful 2010/11.  Despite the recession, the contracting service had a record turnover and exceeded their income targets, allowing some of the bad debt caused by clients going into liquidation to be written off.

Recent work has included some interesting finds. An excavation at RAF Lakenheath, in advance of the construction of a new gym, has revealed a small Roman building sited within a ditched enclosure.  The building is unusual in that it appears to be circular with two entrances and walls made up of closely spaced stakes.  It may have had a religious function of some sort, maybe a shrine.

On 8 May 2011, staff from the Archaeological Service were at the South Suffolk Show, where they displayed the work of the service, provided activities for children, and identified finds brought in by the public.  There were also real archaeological objects from Suffolk available for handling and a series of short talks ran throughout the day about human bone, Roman coins and metal detecting.

On Wednesday 25 May 2011, I will announce the launch of Treasured Suffolk in Hoxne, which is just one of 31 walks planned as part of this year’s South and Heart of Suffolk Walking Festival. The Hoxne walk is entitled ‘Treasures and Murder’ and will pass the many historic sites in the parish including the famous Hoxne hoard site The launch day will have archaeological service staff in attendance and will include a temporary exhibition of recent archaeological finds and photographs in Hoxne church, including high status Anglo-Saxon objects, which are now in the ownership of the County Council.

Treasured Suffolk is a joint project between Creating the Greenest County, Countryside Access and Archaeology to promote lesser known and visited areas of Suffolk’s countryside. Each walk takes in countryside access on public rights of way or other passable routes.

1. SIZEWELL

There has clearly been a pause for reflection at the national level on the lessons that the Fukushima event might have for the nuclear industry in this country.  Mike Weightman has been asked by the Government to look into this and in response to a consultation on the scope of this inquiry, we have said that one of the lessons is that back-up safety systems need to be given adequate protection from catastrophic events and that the residents of this area would wish to be assured that both the present plant and any future plant have taken this into account in their design and operation. The initial results of this inquiry are expected in mid-May and the full results by mid-September.

Clearly the circumstances at Sizewell are different in many ways from that in Japan and we see no reason to expect that there will be a significant delay in proposals for Sizewell C coming forward. The most recent information that we have from EDF Energy is that they hope to start the first stage of public consultation on this before the end of the year. In the meantime, EDF is continuing to talk to officers of the county and district councils on the information and surveys that will be needed before the application can be submitted.

1. POWER TRANSMISSION LINES

National Grid is likely to make clear its preference for the route for additional power lines in south Suffolk shortly. The County Council has consistently made the point that a wider range of alternatives should be considered, including the opportunity for offshore cables incorporating the latest high voltage direct current technology. As I reported previously to the Council, we organised a successful National Symposium on the subject in January. The full proceedings of this event have now been published – and they are on the Suffolk County Council website, if councillors wish to see them.  We used the conclusions of the symposium as the basis for our case when I led a delegation to meet the Minister of State responsible for power lines, Charles Hendry, in March. We now look to the Government to respond by taking greater account of the environmental consequences of power lines in all of the decision making processes for new schemes.

We are aware of two other power transmission line schemes, both linking offshore windfarms to the Grid and both likely to be mainly underground – these are the links from the Galloper windfarm to Sizewell and that from the first phase of the major array off the Suffolk/Norfolk coast into Bramford. Officers are working with developers on both schemes to begin to assess the environmental impact

1. LoCAL FLood Risk MANAGEMENT

Further aspects of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 were implemented on 1 April 2011, giving the County Council lead responsibility for managing local flood risk from surface, ground and ordinary water courses.  We now have a duty to investigate serious flooding incidents and keep a register of assets that are critical to local flood risk management.  This work will be undertaken with the Suffolk Flood Risk Management Partnership and will largely be paid for by government grant to the County Council.

The major aspect of the Flood and Water Management Act still to be implemented, relates to the County Council’s duty to approve drainage systems prior to any development and adopt sustainable drainage systems.  The Council is now preparing itself for this duty, which is expected to commence in 2012.

We have recently prepared a Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment report as required under the Flood Risk Regulations 2009.  Due to the criteria set by Government there are no areas in Suffolk that are defined as nationally significant flood risk areas (considering flooding from surface, ground and ordinary water courses).   However, there are a number of areas that the Partnership has defined as of local significance, and we will now begin to prepare a local flood strategy that will set out the Partnership’s approach to dealing with these risks.  This work will take place over the next twelve months, prior to a public consultation.

1. regional flood and coastal committee

In April, as another consequence of the Flood and Water Management Act, the Regional Flood Defence Committee became the Regional Flood and Coastal Committee.  The existing committee members put forward suggestions about representation on the new committee, which will become fully functional later this year.  The new committee has an expanded remit to cover coastal erosion and surface water flooding as well as flood defence, and will play an increasingly important role in managing spending on all aspects of flood and coastal management.  I am hoping to remain an active member of the new committee.

1. SUFFOLK SAFETY CAMERA PARTNERSHIP (SAFECAM)

As reported to Cabinet in January the expectation is that Safecam becomes fully managed by Suffolk Constabulary during June/July this year. Suffolk County Council will formally withdraw from the current partnership before 1 July. Interim control of Safecam passed to the police on 1 April as they are now underwriting all operational costs funded from income from speeders attending speed awareness courses. In early June the police will assess the viability of the operation and take a report to its Police Authority for a decision. If they decide to continue they will acquire all of the current assets and liabilities in running the operation. If they decline then the operation will be closed down soon afterwards.

I am hopeful that Safecam will continue – it has proven to be one of the best performing partnerships in the country, in terms of casualty reduction, and whilst its operation is modest it acts as a constant deterrent to speeding.

1. DEMAND RESPONSIVE TRANSPORT (drt)

The first Suffolk Links branded demand responsive transport (DRT) service was introduced in the Wilford area in July 2009 as a replacement for a conventional bus service (72).  It proved to be a successful and cost effective method of providing rural public transport.  Since then, a programme of consultation and needs analysis has led to the introduction of further Suffolk Links services named 3 Towns (Bury, Newmarket, Haverhill area), Alde (Orford, Wickham Market, Snape, Aldeburgh area) and, as of June this year, Hoxne and Upper Blyth Valley (Eye, Debenham, Halesworth area).

In order to build on the success of these services and to maintain the ‘momentum’, existing services such as Cosford Connect, Club88, Coastlink etc. have been re-designed and re-launched under the Suffolk Links brand.  By Mid 2011, there will be a total of 13 Suffolk Links services throughout Suffolk.  Work continues on improving the customer experience by reducing the notice required to make bookings.  We are hopeful that the current notice period of 24hrs minimum notice will be reduced to 2 hours or less; some operators are already achieving this.

Despite the financial constraints we will continue to seek further opportunities to introduce this type of DRT service.  We will be working closely with our colleagues in the 3^rd sector to maximise the use of resources.

1. SATISFACTION WITH BUS SERVCIES

Despite the level of reductions needed to public transport services being greater than ever before, close working with partners and communication of the changes with greater clarity have enabled a very positive outcome. This was mainly down to the following actions:

• Close working with operators to achieve mutually advantageous outcomes (commercial services / shared risk);
• Early decision to protect core services and acceptance of  the need to reduce or cancel services outside of core remit;
• Portfolio Holder engagement to allow flow of information to other members;
• Early information direct to Members and representative groups (SALC) to highlight potential for change in advance of budget decision;
• Swift communication to Councillors following budget decisions to inform them of where to find information;
• Immediate publicity via dedicated web page showing ALL service changes (including those to commercial network – not just sponsored services);
• Dissemination of timetable information via same web page as soon as it became available;
• Continuous engagement with Councillors updating them where information was requested;
• Acceptance of need to listen to and engage with residents where genuine loss of access is identified, engagement through local members and third sector organisations utilised successfully;

Correspondence has been limited to a number of local issues and these are being addressed as they arise. Where solutions cannot immediately be put in place officers are retaining information for use in future service planning. In effect consultation has already started for any future changes and residents views are being listened to.

1. Road Maintenance

The announcement in the Budget of additional funding to repair the damage to roads in England following another severe winter was very welcome.  Suffolk has received an allocation of £4.441 million from the Department of Transport, which has to be spent on road repairs by the end of September.

Suffolk’s roads capital programme this year was already just under £18 million.  The extra £4.441 million has enabled us to expand greatly this year’s programme of local patching and edge repairs; surface dressing; and resurfacing schemes to many more sites across the whole of Suffolk.

Road users may have noticed that the surface dressing programme this year has started early, helped by the warm weather in late April.  Surface dressing is a cost-effective treatment that restores skidding resistance and prolongs the life of the road surface. It also seals roads against water penetration, one of the main causes of potholes when the water freezes and thaws during the winter.