Minutes:
The Chairman asked Cllr Sprason to speak regarding his item
on the planning permission given to Neovia by
Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council for their extension to the warehouse and
as part of the application the 106 contribution condition included funding for
highway improvements. It has come to light over the last few days that this
includes junction improvements, LCC Highways are saying their preference is the Desford crossroads,
however the parishes of Peckleton & Desford would
prefer to see improvements to the Danns Lane junction
and to Peckleton Lane.
Cllr Sprason asked LCC Highways to change their approach
with what they are advising Hinckley and Bosworth and reconsider using the 106
contributions for Danns Lane junction.
Cllr Cartwright agreed with Cllr Sprason and said he
couldn’t believe the money was going toward funding for the Desford Crossroads
rather than Danns Lane.
Cllr Bill informed Members that he has written to Phil
Crossland after the planning meeting who said this will be looked at and
considered.
Mr Vears fully understand Members concerns. He explained
that the transport implications which will arise from the proposed expansion to
Neovia Logistics are detailed and analysed in the
supporting Transport Assessment. As part of the scoping discussions the
Highways Authority requested the applicant to undertake detailed Traffic Impact
Analysis (TIA) within an agreed and relevant study area. An important component
of this work (TIA) was junction modelling and capacity assessment at the
following key junctions (amongst others not detailed below):
• A47 / Dan’s
Lane priority junction;
• A47 / B582
- Desford Crossroads signalised junction; and
• A47 /
Leicester Road roundabout (the start of the Earl Shilton Bypass).
With the exception of the A47 / B582 - Desford Crossroads
signalised junction all local junctions tested are anticipated to continue to
operate within capacity following the introduction of development traffic.
Relevant to this, growth and network improvement initiatives
have been tested with rigour as part of the wider strategic growth strategy in
collaboration with Hinckley & Bosworth. Although the purpose of this
testing did not specifically include the details of this current application,
although the Neovia site is included within the
strategic model, the findings of the traffic modelling showed significant
pressure on parts of the network in the vicinity the A47 and the potential
transport and environmental impacts this has across the wider network.
Improvements to the A47 were identified at two key junctions
to improve journey times and local network reliability. The junctions are
Desford Crossroads and the Dodwells/Longshoot junctions at the A5. Whilst additional minor
improvements to other parts of the network could be required in the future, the
Highways Authority will continue to pursue the evidenced and policy led basis
to the furtherance to highway intervention at the Desford Crossroads (tested,
costed and adopted).
Moving back to the details of this application, certainly
from capacity perspective improvements to the Dann’s Lane junction with the A47
are not considered necessary as part of this planning application. As
identified in the TA, junction modelling analysis has identified a material
impact at the Desford Crossroads following the introduction of development
traffic. The junction currently operates over capacity with frequent queuing
and delays. The junction analysis results have demonstrated that the addition
of development traffic would exacerbate an already overloaded situation.
The Highways Authority are however continuing to take
practical steps, in collaboration with Desford Parish Council, to provide overall measures in the area to
help facilitate the efficient and safe transition of goods vehicles. The
Highways Authority have recently held some positive meetings with
representatives of Desford Parish Council both in December (2016) and January
(2017) to address on-going concerns over HGV traffic disobeying the current
environmental 7.5t weight restrictions in Desford.
As a result of the meetings which have provided all parties
with a better understanding of how HGV traffic is operating through villages,
the Highways Authority are now in a position to develop a signage strategy that
takes into account the concerns raised.
Highways are scheduled to report back to ‘key stakeholders’
at a meeting to be held at Neovia in March (2017) to
discuss the signage strategy proposed and with Neovia
Logistics very supportive of a signage scheme to assist local residents
concerns, Highways are optimistic that a scheme can progress for the benefit of
the community.
Mr Vears said that Desford Crossroads was already
highlighted as a junction that needed work and will be affected further by future
developments.
Cllr Bill complained that this would only push more traffic
through Desford.
Mr Vears replied that this will not be the case because
there is a weight limit so none of the big lorries will be routed via Desford
village.
Cllr Crooks noticed that lorries have been getting stuck on
High Street after trying to get through Desford Village.
Mr Vears replied that he had been working on this issue for
28 years and lorries will always occasionally choose inappropriate routes.
Unfortunately we can only deal with what’s in place when looking at a planning
application.
Cllr Sutton suggested that we should remove the sign that
says no access to Peckleton for HGV’s over 7.5
tonnes.
Mr Vears informed Members that we are working with the Parish Council for new signage system. Thanks for raising this we will make a note of it