Newton Abbot Town Council

NOTES OF THE ELEVENTH MEETING OF THE NEWTON ABBOT LOCAL TRANSPORT PARTNERSHIP 

HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER, TOWN HALL, 9 DEVON SQUARE, NEWTON ABBOT 

ON WEDNESDAY 15TH APRIL 2009 AT 7.00 p.m.

Present:

Chairman:                              Councillor 				Mrs Daphne Watts 

			(Newton Abbot Town Council) Presiding

Representing: 

Newton Abbot 

Town Council:                       Councillors:                             		Mrs C Bunday - College

H Cole – Buckland

D J Corney-Walker – Milber

C Davieson - Buckland

M Hocking - Bradley

                                                                                                		A D Vizor - College

Devon County Council:                                                       		Mr Derek Fishpool

Bus Companies:                   Stagecoach                             		Ms Christina Ratcliffe

Local Residents:                                                                   		Mr Eric Collar

                                                                                                		Mr Denis Tyler

By Invitation: Newton Abbot & District Cycle Group            		Mr Graham Wickham

                        Torbay Rail Line Users                                   		Mr John Hartley                                   

Newton Abbot Town Centre Partnership       			Mrs Sally Henley                     

1.                    WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS 

The Chairman welcomed members of the Forum and guests to the twelfth meeting of the Newton Abbot Local Transport Forum. The chairman introduced Mrs Sally Henley who had recently been appointed to the post of Town Development Manager.

2.         APOLOGIES

Apologies for absence was received on behalf of Councillors D Howe - College and K Purchase - College Ward, NATC; Mrs Alison Ellison, Country Bus; Mr Alec Morley; Mr Bob Newton. 

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3.         NOTES OF LAST MEETING

The Notes of the 11th Meeting of the Partnership held on 10th September 2008 were received and noted.

4.         TRAIN SERVICES

The Chairman explained that unfortunately no representative of First Great Western had been able to attend this meeting. Mr Mark Chorley who had previously represented the company at the Forum’s meetings was no longer able to attend. The Town Clerk would endeavour to contact the Company for a nominated replacement.

Mr John Hartley of the Torbay Line Rail Users group was in attendance and gave details of a meeting in Exeter held between local rail line user groups and the Minister of State for Transport, Lord Adonis during his visit to Devon and Cornwall. Mr Hartley explained that matters were raised with Lord Adonis regarding rail issues in South Devon and its links with London, Waterloo and the rest of the Country. Specific issues raised included the following:-

(a)  The Torbay main line and its importance to local tourism, rolling stock and overcrowded trains;

(b)  South West Trains, reduction in service from Waterloo west of Exeter and interconnectivity, such as at Salisbury.

(c)  First Great Western Trains – issues such as increases in tourism numbers in South Devon, use of local trains, commuting and lack of publicity for services;

(d)  Government transport policies – sustainable transport, need for additional funding from the RFA (Regional Funding Allocation) and the omission of Devon from that allocation.

(e)  Line closures, such as the Waterloo services;

(f)    Reduced services in the South West generally.

Mr Hartley explained that Lord Adonis took on-board the issues raised and agreed to take them back to the Ministry for investigation. In that context, Mr Hartley reported that the rail users groups had been invited to attend a meeting on 21st April with the Department of Transport in London to put forward details of the issues affecting rail usage in Devon. Mr Hartley explained that BBC Radio Devon and Spotlight would be accompanying the rail users groups to London and would be reporting on their journey and meetings. Finally, Mr Hartley invited the Forum members to raise any issues tonight additional to those already reported to be raised at the meetings. The Forum referred particularly to rail fares being too high when there were empty trains on may services; the neglect of Devon and Cornwall evidenced by investment in other areas of the country; the need to open more branch lines; additional concessionary fares for other than students and senior citizens; and the recycling of old rolling stock for services in the South West.  

5.            BUS COMPANIES/SERVICES

Stagecoach – Christina Ratcliffe explained that its summer schedules had not yet been approved but Christina expected it to be ‘business as usual’. It was explained that the No. 66 service to Torbay Hospital was operating very well, although there were issues with turning spaces for buses. Torbay Council was looking into addressing the problem. The Chairman referred to issues with overcrowded service on the No. 2 arising from the use of a single deck bus at midday. However, the route was considered to be much improved although it was marginally longer. 

The Forum noted that all services were now low-floor double deck vehicles. 

The Chairman raised on behalf of Mr Morley issues raised in his letter regarding the Service 70 in Highweek due to access over grass verges and raised kerbs. Mr Fishpool agreed to liaise with Mr Brian George on the progress of promised improved bus stops at Highweek.  

Country Bus – reference was made to the two new services which included the new Newton Abbot Hospital. It was explained that it was a half hourly service (No. 37) taking an almost circular route of the town including Sainsbury’s and the railway station. The last service was at 8.00 p.m. Mr Fishpool explained that the route was published in the timetables with 30,000 copies published in the summer and 25,000 in the winter.  

Sherborne Road – The Town Clerk summarised a letter from the District Council detailing action taken and proposed to be taken to improve the bus interchange. The letter covered seven points as follows:-

                      i.        Existing District Council shelters cleaned & gutters to be cleaned;

                     ii.        The District Council cleansing team had increased cleaning frequency and had washed the walls;

                    iii.        The bus operators were cooperating on leasing a unit in the Market Hall as an information office and rest room.

                    iv.        Devon County Council had addressed the high level lighting and removal of old lower level globes;

                     v.        DCC was considering options for replacement bus shelters and minor improvements to kerb lines;

                    vi.        Meetings had been held with the Taxi association regarding operation of the rank adjacent to the Jolly Farmer public house.

                   vii.        Discussions were being held with the owner of the bridge link to the multi-storey car park regarding cleaning the bridge supports and lighting the access to the Market Square. 

Devon County Council – The Forum discussed issues regarding the introduction of changes to bus stops in Newton abbot arising from the introduction of low floor buses. Particular attention was drawn to the issues raised in the Buckland/Milber area. In relation to the former, there was an issue with loss of on-street car parking. The Mayor, Councillor David Corney-Walker, drew Mr Fishpool’s attention to the level of disquiet raised by the residents of Buckland to the changes. Councillor Cole referred to the fact there appeared to be an improvement on Buckland with the larger buses ability to manuvre around the area. Mr Fishpool referred to changes to be introduced to services from 24th May involving the 361 and 888 services which would be operated by Dartline. There would also be a Sunday Rover service in the summer to Dartmoor.  

6.            MATTERS RAISED BY FORUM MEMBERS

(a)  Disabled Parking – Newton Abbot Town Centre – The Forum discussed in some detail the effects of the loss of disabled parking spaces arising from the pedestrianisation works in the Wolborough Street area. In particular, those spaces which were available and well used in the Clock Tower area. Members referred to the spaces available in the various car parks in the town and the possibility of spaces being made available in the Western Service Yard. Sally Henley explained that the issue had been one of the matters raised with her upon her appointment. Sally explained that there were two issues, the availability of spaces and those spaces that did not have to be paid for. Members referred to schemes in a number of towns where concessions were made for disabled drivers to park in ordinary spaces in car parks such as pay for one hour and get one hour free. 

    It was AGREED that the Mayor would take the matter up with the District Council and the Town Clerk to write to the District Council requesting consideration be given to providing such incentives and a copy be sent to the Newton Abbot Access Group.

(b)  Newton Abbot Cycle Map – Mr Graham Wickham referred to the 2007 edition of the Revised Newton Abbot Cycle Map and to the various inaccuracies contained therein. He particularly referred to identification of places of worship where closed churches were ‘flagged’ but some currently operating had been omitted. As the leaflet invited comments it was 

AGREED that a letter be written to Devon County Council requesting either an update or a corrected reissue of the 2007 Map. 

7.            DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING

It was noted that the next meeting of the Forum would be held on Wednesday 2nd September 2009 at 7.00 p.m.