From Cllr Graeme Barnell (MDDC)
Road safety on the A377
A group has been formed to examine the safety issues along the A377 to include the input and views of the county council, Mid Devon district council and the parish council.
The meetings of the A377 Road safety Group will be attended by Cllrs Margaret Squires (DCC) and Roger Cashmore (Parish council) as well as Cllr Graeme Barnell (MDDC).
The next meeting will be in early October. The aim of the group is to work with officers of the County Council to address the range of road safety issues along the A377 including road crossings and pathways. Your feedback and comments are most welcome.
Below are the notes of the first meeting.
The meetings of the A377 Road safety Group will be attended by Cllrs Margaret Squires (DCC) and Roger Cashmore (Parish council) as well as Cllr Graeme Barnell (MDDC).
The next meeting will be in early October. The aim of the group is to work with officers of the County Council to address the range of road safety issues along the A377 including road crossings and pathways. Your feedback and comments are most welcome.
Below are the notes of the first meeting.
A377 Road Safety meeting
3rd September Tiverton Depot
Attended
Cllr Margaret Squires (DCC), Cllr Roger Cashmore (Newton St Cyres PC) , Cllr Graeme Barnell (MDDC)
Jamie Hulland Transport Strategy and Road Safety Manager (DCC) , Tom Vaughan Neighbourhood Highways Manager (DCC)
Purpose of the meeting
MS explained that she has very concerned for some time about the different road safety issues along the A377 and wants to ensure that these are addressed, particularly the matter of the road crossing in the centre of Newton St Cyres (NSC).
RC wanted to focus discussion today on getting progress on the issue of the NSC Road Crossing.
GB agreed that the priority must be the NSC Road Crossing but also pointed out that there are several other places along the A377 where crossing the road is hazardous and difficult. These include Smallbrook, Tytheing and Half Moon. There are also communities where pedestrian road users have no footpaths, and either must walk on overgrown slippery grass verges or on the road itself. GB is looking for a joint A377 Road Safety Plan that includes all the work that needs doing to a indicative timetable.
NSC Road Crossing
RC presented his proposed third option for the NSC crossing. JH thought it had potentially had merit.
ACTION:- JH agreed to arrange for RC’s proposal to be the subject of a Safety Audit. He agreed to report back to our next meeting in October
Boniface Cycle Trail
GB also raised the issue of the Crediton to Exeter Cycle path and asked that we consider ways of supporting the existing project to achieve improved project management and faster progress.
JH confirmed that there is current no money identified for cycle ways that are not associated with major developments. However the Crediton to Exeter cycleway is considered important enough to have been included in the Devon wide Cycle and Multi-use Pathway Strategy. He also confirmed that Will Pratt is liaising with Boniface Trustees about inclusion in the work in the Exeter Transport Strategy
The meeting agreed that the Boniface Trustees have taken on a complex and onerous project and should be offered project help to support concurrent work on several workstreams including planning, construction, costing, fundraising etc.
ACTION:- JH will ask an experienced project manager in his team Anjumn Kanani to contact the Trustees and offer her help.
Next Meeting 8th October 2.30pm Venue TBC
3rd September Tiverton Depot
Attended
Cllr Margaret Squires (DCC), Cllr Roger Cashmore (Newton St Cyres PC) , Cllr Graeme Barnell (MDDC)
Jamie Hulland Transport Strategy and Road Safety Manager (DCC) , Tom Vaughan Neighbourhood Highways Manager (DCC)
Purpose of the meeting
MS explained that she has very concerned for some time about the different road safety issues along the A377 and wants to ensure that these are addressed, particularly the matter of the road crossing in the centre of Newton St Cyres (NSC).
RC wanted to focus discussion today on getting progress on the issue of the NSC Road Crossing.
GB agreed that the priority must be the NSC Road Crossing but also pointed out that there are several other places along the A377 where crossing the road is hazardous and difficult. These include Smallbrook, Tytheing and Half Moon. There are also communities where pedestrian road users have no footpaths, and either must walk on overgrown slippery grass verges or on the road itself. GB is looking for a joint A377 Road Safety Plan that includes all the work that needs doing to a indicative timetable.
NSC Road Crossing
RC presented his proposed third option for the NSC crossing. JH thought it had potentially had merit.
ACTION:- JH agreed to arrange for RC’s proposal to be the subject of a Safety Audit. He agreed to report back to our next meeting in October
Boniface Cycle Trail
GB also raised the issue of the Crediton to Exeter Cycle path and asked that we consider ways of supporting the existing project to achieve improved project management and faster progress.
JH confirmed that there is current no money identified for cycle ways that are not associated with major developments. However the Crediton to Exeter cycleway is considered important enough to have been included in the Devon wide Cycle and Multi-use Pathway Strategy. He also confirmed that Will Pratt is liaising with Boniface Trustees about inclusion in the work in the Exeter Transport Strategy
The meeting agreed that the Boniface Trustees have taken on a complex and onerous project and should be offered project help to support concurrent work on several workstreams including planning, construction, costing, fundraising etc.
ACTION:- JH will ask an experienced project manager in his team Anjumn Kanani to contact the Trustees and offer her help.
Next Meeting 8th October 2.30pm Venue TBC
Third option for crossing in the centre of the village.
Cllr Roger Cashmore shared the lack of enthusiasm for either of the proposals for establishing a light controlled crossing in the middle of the village and has come up with a third option to be considered in the consultation process.
At the road safety group meeting on 3rd Sept. Jamie Hulland Transport Strategy and Road Safety Manager (DCC) agreed to arrange for the proposal to be the subject of a Safety Audit. He agreed to report back to the next meeting in October.
The main benefit of option c) is that retains the same siting for the proposed toucan pedestrian crossing while enforcing one way access into and from Godolphin close around the existing bus stop island. This option retains the existing road, layout and, apart from possible additional signage and road marking, requires no major additional road engineering to the cost of installing the pedestrian crossing.
Option c) has now been added to the Parish Council web site (https://bit.ly/30y2mKj). You are most welcome to make any comments on this new option in writing to the Parish Clerk ( parishclerk@newtonstcyres-pc.gov.uk ) You will also be pleased to know that DCC highways have agreed to conduct a full safety audit in the village in the near future.
The proposed third option is shown below.
At the road safety group meeting on 3rd Sept. Jamie Hulland Transport Strategy and Road Safety Manager (DCC) agreed to arrange for the proposal to be the subject of a Safety Audit. He agreed to report back to the next meeting in October.
The main benefit of option c) is that retains the same siting for the proposed toucan pedestrian crossing while enforcing one way access into and from Godolphin close around the existing bus stop island. This option retains the existing road, layout and, apart from possible additional signage and road marking, requires no major additional road engineering to the cost of installing the pedestrian crossing.
Option c) has now been added to the Parish Council web site (https://bit.ly/30y2mKj). You are most welcome to make any comments on this new option in writing to the Parish Clerk ( parishclerk@newtonstcyres-pc.gov.uk ) You will also be pleased to know that DCC highways have agreed to conduct a full safety audit in the village in the near future.
The proposed third option is shown below.
Third Prize again in 2019
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The competition for the best Station Garden on the Tarka Line was judged earlier than usual this year. Generally the judging takes place towards the end of July. This year, however at the request of two stations the judging took place on the 27th June. It will revert to the more normal time of mid to late July next year. Apparently neither of the two stations took first or second place which were taken by Copplestone with 193 points, Chapelton with 190 point with Newton St Cyres and Umberleigh both getting 166 points.
Unfortunately the garden was not at its best. The cold start to the year meaning that early judging was definitely not in our favour. The front cover has pictures from Chris Southcott of the garden at the middle of July. What a pretty sight it is with the flowers, herbs and vegetables all making a contribution to the display.
Tom Clague said;"With a sterling effort from Liz in getting the plants and producing a very good display plus the team work from Friends of NSC Station in watering and weeding we did well."
Liz Ouldridge said; "I’m not unhappy with third place as we were not really ready in time for the judging. But the garden looks really nice now and that is reward enough and it is a real asset to the village. Perhaps next year we should try to cram more things onto the platform as I think we were harshly judged in some categories if you take the whole garden into account."
Unfortunately the garden was not at its best. The cold start to the year meaning that early judging was definitely not in our favour. The front cover has pictures from Chris Southcott of the garden at the middle of July. What a pretty sight it is with the flowers, herbs and vegetables all making a contribution to the display.
Tom Clague said;"With a sterling effort from Liz in getting the plants and producing a very good display plus the team work from Friends of NSC Station in watering and weeding we did well."
Liz Ouldridge said; "I’m not unhappy with third place as we were not really ready in time for the judging. But the garden looks really nice now and that is reward enough and it is a real asset to the village. Perhaps next year we should try to cram more things onto the platform as I think we were harshly judged in some categories if you take the whole garden into account."
Pictures from Denise Watkiss
Click here to download the judges report
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From Graeme Barnell
Climate emergency—doing our bit
Climate emergency—doing our bit
Mid Devon District Council has vowed to be carbon neutral by 2030 and that all decisions will be considered in light of the climate crisis.
Councillors voted unanimously in favour of declaring a climate crisis and adopting the Devon Climate Change Declaration on Wednesday, June 26. Further to that, the Council has agreed to work to the Devon-wide target or new-zero emissions by 2050 but will aim for Mid Devon to be carbon neutral by 2030, an amendment on the original 2050 date as set out by county council.
The Council will also lobby the Government for the finances and powers to act effectively to undertake the necessary measures to ensure the climate crises can be limited to 1.5 degrees and be carbon neutral by 2030.
As District Counccillor for both Newton St Cyres and Shobrooke I will be reporting to these decsions to the Parish Councils and suggesting the suportthe Mid Devon intiative. we can work together with local peoplle to do out bit in meeting the climate challenge.
https://www.devonlive.com/news/devon-news/decisions-consider-climate-crisis-mid-3035878
Lollipop Man Hit by Motorist
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The school crossing patrol man, Derek Robbins narrowly avoided serious injury on Tuesday morning as he was hit in the leg by a passing car. He suffered bruising and muscle damage from the vehicle which failed to stop at the scene. The make, model and number of the car is not known, only that it was black. The Police would like to hear from anyone who can help throw light on this incident.
Mr Robbins was shocked and shaken up by the incident but was back on patrol yesterday and this morning. The Parish Council has been lobbying hard for the school signs and speed limit to be moved since the school moved almost a year ago. It was proposed some time ago that the signs should be relocated on the A377 to give warning of the crossing. Devon Highways have come up with two proposals for improving safety on the centre of the village...see our next item. |
SAFETY FOR PEDESTRIANS
in Newton St Cyres
There are two plans to make the road safer in the village. First, It is being suggested that Newton will be the first village in the county to be equipped with average speed cameras. Where these have been deployed in Cornwall there has been a really significant reduction in the speed of vehicles. We have all seen that the average speed cameras on motorways are really effective. They will, apparently be clearly signed and drivers will have no way of escaping them. Lets hope that this makes the A377 safer for everyone.
It may well be that by controlling the speed of the traffic there is no need for the second plan.
It may well be that by controlling the speed of the traffic there is no need for the second plan.
The second plan is for a traffic light controlled crossing for pedestrians in the centre of the village. The plans for the two alternatives currently suggested were available for all to see at the Parish Meeting on 4th. April. They are also available online at the Parish Council website by clicking here.
It is important to note that these are preliminary plans and there will be a long period of consultation. If you would like to make your views known then you can do so via the Parish Council or by using the message tool below. If you do this we will publish your views on this website.
It is important to note that these are preliminary plans and there will be a long period of consultation. If you would like to make your views known then you can do so via the Parish Council or by using the message tool below. If you do this we will publish your views on this website.
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“Geoff’s new Viking assault trike.” Perhaps the answer!
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AT LAST!
Work on resurfacing the A377 is now complete where it runs through Newton St. Cyres and Half Moon.
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No. 37 in September 2019 Newton Wonder Clue: Building new houses on this site
Contact Us
The Newton Wonder is the community magazine and website for all of the community of Newton St Cyres. It aims to reflect the events and interests of the community through publishing notices and reports as well as encouraging discussion over local issues, plans and concerns.
The Newton Wonder is a community resource for all the community. That includes you! Let us know of your interests, concerns, stories, pictures and videos.
Contact us via the form below or email editor@newtonwonder.net
We will attempt to include your content as soon as possible.
The Newton Wonder is the community magazine and website for all of the community of Newton St Cyres. It aims to reflect the events and interests of the community through publishing notices and reports as well as encouraging discussion over local issues, plans and concerns.
The Newton Wonder is a community resource for all the community. That includes you! Let us know of your interests, concerns, stories, pictures and videos.
Contact us via the form below or email editor@newtonwonder.net
We will attempt to include your content as soon as possible.