Action Notes of East Sutherland and Edderton Ward Forum held on 26 August 2013

Agenda

1 Attending / Representing

Cllr. Deirdre Mackay - Highland Council
Cllr. Jim McGillivray - Highland Council
Phil Tomalin - Highland Council
Iain McDonald - North West Network Manager BEAR Scotland
Cathel Macaskill - Customer Services Manager, BEAR Scotland
Yvonne Ross - Dornoch Community Council
Kathleen Cunningham - Brora Community Council
Iain Miller - Golspie Community Council
Penny Kane - Helmsdale Community Council

 

Apologies
Cllr. Graham Phillips - Highland Council

 

22 Members of the public

2. Ward Budget

List of approvals to date was circulated. There were no questions or comments.

3. A9 Management – Iain McDonald, Cathel Macaskill

New contract
• Bear Scotland took over contract on 1 April 2013.
• Many staff have transferred from Transerv to BEAR Scotland .
• Investment in new plant and machinery, depots, control room, staff training.

 

Winter maintenance
• New contract has higher standards.
• Patrols run from 1 Nov. – 15 Mar. when temp < 3°C.
• Fleet controlled by GPS, improving monitoring and efficient deployment.
• Depot improvements inc. covering up salt supplies.
• Local contractors are used where possible.

 

Communications
• Email and telephone contact details now in place.
ACTION Iain McDonald to provide contact details and leaflets to DM/PT for distribution to Community Councils

Post meeting note
Contact details are as follows:
● Transport Scotland 24 hour Traffic Customer Care Line 0800 028 1414 to:
 ○ Enquire about current road conditions and roadworks, planned roadworks,  planned events and severe weather conditions.
 ○ Report road surface defects, issues relating to Variable Message Signs,   carriageway obstructions, breakdowns, diesel spills and other emergencies.
 ○ Access information regarding alternative routes and transport modes for  regular journeys disrupted by roadworks.
 ○ Register complaints and third party damage claims.
● Contact BEAR
 ○ via BEAR Scotland North West Unit website http://nw.bearscot.com/ 
 ○ via email to BEAR Scotland direct at enquiries@bearscotland.co.uk
 

Street lighting
• Brora street lighting has now been upgraded.
• Enhanced inspections of street lighting during winter.

 

Grass cutting and landscaping
• Initial problems have now been ironed out and programme up to speed.
• Additional equipment has been purchased and service brought in-house – employing locally based staff.
• Recognition that issues are different in Sutherland where A9 runs through communities.

 

Discussion Points

 

• Communications – Communication Plan has been approved by Transport Scotland. Contacts details to be circulated (see above).

 

• Loth – it is not clear what work is being undertaken at temporary traffic lights.
ACTION Iain McDonald to look into this and reply through DM

 

• Road cameras – There is a network of fixed cameras (Dornoch Bridge, Balvraid,  and near Lothbeg) supplemented by cameras fitted to patrol vehicles. Cameras can be accessed at http://www.trafficscotland.org/. Local weather variations mean patrols are still required.

 

• Removal of road-kill – Problem recognised and BEAR is in talks with Highland Council re subcontracting removal of road kill.

 

• Cutting of verges – apparent discrepancy between Sutherland and south of Dornoch Bridge largely due to narrow verges on most of the A9 in Sutherland. BEAR cut the verge to the fence-line.
ACTION Iain McDonald to send copy of specification to DM

 

• Roadworks at Kirkton Farm, Golspie – the scheme involves 900m resurfacing and is due to take place in Oct. The carriageway is locally believed to be disintegrating on the southbound side. Any structural repairs will be addressed during the maintenance.
ACTION Iain McDonald to look at area when travelling south – feedback to DM

 

• Pavements in villages – BEAR now recognises importance for communities through which A9 passes especially for community events, Galas etc. Work will be better timed next year.

Post meeting note
The weed removal should have been completed in Golspie

 

• Brora bridge – very narrow and pedestrians often feel vulnerable when large vehicles pass. Bridge is unlikely to be widened / replaced in the foreseeable future, however issue has been recognised in the Golspie – Helmsdale Road Safety Strategy (see below).

 

• Road Safety Strategy – covers Golspie to Helmsdale and includes £175K worth of road safety improvements inc. road signs, high friction resurfacing, vehicle activated speed signs etc.

 

• Crossing at PO in Brora – survey indicated insufficient traffic for pedestrian crossing. (The crossing in Golspie took account of the High School).

 

• Speed limits – Nationwide review under way – speed limits are a policy issue for Transport Scotland. 20mph limits are unlikely. New Scottish Trunk Road Policing Unit likely to improve speed limit enforcement.

 

• Coordinating with gritters – It was possible to communicate with Transerv to coordinate winter evening bus trips (e.g. school pantomime visits) with gritters by calling to check timings of gritting runs e.g. north from Tore. BEAR will endeavour to do the same.

 

• Average speed cameras – a policy issue for Transport Scotland. In many instances the volume of traffic on the A9 means that vehicles will not exceed average speed limit.

 

• Lane closure at Drumochter – this is to allow the work on Beauly-Denny transmission line. Work will be completed next April.

 

• Vehicle activated speed signs  - the sign at the north end of Golspie works only intermittently.
ACTION Iain McDonald to follow up and feedback to DM

Post meeting note
BEAR will monitor the performance of the sign

 

• Lack of road signs at Doll – no advance sign for 3rd right hand turning (going south) to The Doll. Junction is around a bend, limiting visibility.
ACTION Iain McDonald to follow up and reply to George MacBeath via DM

Post meeting note
The signs have been ordered and should be completed within 28 days

 

• Manhole covers/ ironmongery – several in Brora need replacing – particularly dangerous for cyclists.

Post meeting note
The manholes in Golspie were receiving attention from Scottish Water so hopefully will lead to some noticeable improvements there too.

 

• Overhanging trees – network wide issue. Landowners share some responsibility. In E Sutherland affected areas inc. Dunrobin, Strathsteven/Doll and Cambusavie bends. Please use BEAR contacts to highlight any area requiring attention.
ACTION Iain Miller/PT to send photos to Iain McDonald

 

• Cambusavie Bends – will require major engineering project led by Transport Scotland. Requires lobbying to Transport Scotland by Councillors, MSPs etc.

4. Voluntary Sector – Christine Ross, VGES

• VG-ES Volunteer Fair 3.30pm Wed 28 Aug, Golspie High School.
• Saltire Awards for young people aged 12-25 – these awards are in recognition of their volunteering efforts, but there is a lack of opportunities available.
VG-ES has written to all Community Councils to help set up volunteering challenges e.g. weeding a community garden or litter picking. 

5. Community Council Issues

Brora
• Public Toilets – issue with vandalism and poss. substance misuse at night. Kathleen Cunningham willing to lock 8pm – 8am.
ACTION Members to look at options and follow up with TECS

Golspie
• Questioned value of HC Quality Awards. Members feel that employees who put in extra should be recognised.

Rogart
• Toilet is not wheelchair accessible and does not have hot water.
• Flowers  - new flowers looking good in Rogart, but issue coordinating with verge cutting – community would cut it themselves but have been warned of health and safety issues.
ACTION Members to follow up with TECS
• HC has no budget for a village officer type post. 
• Pavement snow clearing - no liability for member of public who clears snow.

6. Issues Raised by Members

• Dornoch Sheriff Court – Open Day 27 Aug.
• Local Development Plan – Consultation for new Local Development Plan soon to start inc. call for sites, call for ideas and the opportunity to put forward areas requiring protection. Anyone can contribute.
• District Partnership – set up to monitor and scrutinise adult and children’s services in Sutherland and to capture local opinion and issues. Anyone can raise issues.

7. Further Questions from Members of the Public

No further questions.

8. Date of Next meeting

Police and Fire Plans - 7.30pm, 2 September, Golspie Community Centre.