MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BEECH HILL PARISH COUNCIL HELD AT THE MEMORIAL HALL, BEECH HILL,

ON 24^th AUGUST 2006, FROM 8 PM TO 9 PM

Present:            D Barr-Miller (Chairman)          

                        C J S Bridges (Vice-Chairman)

                        Mrs M Carter

                        Mr K Lock (West Berkshire County Councillor)

                        Mrs L Draper (Clerk)

Apologies:        Mr R Joy.

The meeting was called to discuss the Traffic Management Assessment Report received from West Berkshire Council’s Highways & Transport Department, following the Traffic Assessment carried out in Beech Hill in April 2006.  Councillors were assisted in their deliberations by also considering a similar report prepared for Berkshire County Council by Babtie in 1996.

Comparisons were made between the two reports, and discussion centred on how Beech Hill roadways could be made safer for all users.  It was noticed that whilst average speeds have remained almost constant from 1996 to 2006 (at about 40 mph), the current speed limit through the village is 30 mph, and 15% of through traffic is exceeding 42 mph.  Councillors also discussed ways in which HGVs, who use Trowes Lane as a cut-through to the A33, could be deterred from travelling through the village.

Traffic volumes through Beech Hill have doubled in the last ten years and the Parish Council is of the clear view, supported by a large majority of residents, that an accident is inevitable unless some meaningful measure is taken to control the speed of vehicles travelling through the village.

It was considered that the County Council’s suggestion that “village gateways” be installed will not be of any meaningful value, nor will speed limit repeater signs.  It was agreed that the most useful facility would be Vehicle Activated Signs together with the installation of chicanes at three specified locations.

Councillor Lock agreed to find out what funds might be available from the Minor Capital Works budget, and it was agreed that the Parish Council could offer a sum of £1,000 towards the cost of road safety improvements.

The Chairman agreed to relay the views of the Parish Council to the Transport & Highways Department.

                                                                                    Signed:  …………………………….

                                                                                                    David Barr-Miller, Chairman

                                                                                                                        5^th October 2006