24th October 2007 
Minutes: of the meeting called by Arnside Parish Council to address the various problems of traffic control within the village, held in the Educational Institute, Church Hill, Arnside on Wednesday 24th October 2007. 

Present: Chairman - Councillor D M (David) Willacy, Deputy Clerk to the Meeting - J M (Jayne) Beaumont and approximately 38 members of the public.

Welcome by Chairman:

The Chairman welcomed the public and gave a brief outline of the history of traffic control measures attempted in the past, ie, a suggested one way system was turned down by Cumbria County Council due to cost implications and an attempt to reduce the speed limit to 20mph was blocked due to this having to go through central government.  Cllr Ian Stewart was welcomed to the meeting who explained that Cumbria County Council are responsible for road safety.  The Chairman then invited members of the public to speak on traffic related issues.

Matters raised by the General Public:

(1) measures need to be taken to reduce the speed limit to 20mph for the entire village.
(2) there is a lack of footpaths, particularly on Silverdale Road which is well used by pedestrians and consideration should be given to making improvements which will encourage walking within the village and improve road safety in order to prevent cyclists and pedestrians from being driven off the roads.
(3) overhanging trees and shrubs on Silverdale Road forcing pedestrians to walk in the road.
(4) large lorries, coaches, caravans, etc cause problems when travelling along Silverdale Road in the direction to/from Holgates.
(5) it would be beneficial to carry out a detailed parking duration survey to establish the usage of available parking space and locations to be found for coaches to park.
(6) due to the increase in bus usage, an increase should be made in bus shelters.
(7) the access to Briery Bank from Stoneycroft drive is very dangerous and would benefit from a 20mph speed limit and double yellow lines along Briery Bank to prevent parked cars.
(8) it was suggested that Hollins Lane should be residents only and no heavy vehicles to prevent people using the road as a short cut onto Silverdale Road.
(9) pedestrian crossings would be advantageous outside the post office and fish and chip shop.
(10) there is a lack of traffic warning signs within the village.
(11) parked cars by the railway station cause traffic chaos particularly at weekends and Bank Holidays.
(12) parking in Silverdale Road and Black Dyke Road is problematic with long lines of cars parked along stretches of the road due to there being no road markings.
(13) along Sandside Road (grid ref 473800) there is a very nasty bend where a solid white line would be beneficial.
(14) there are many potholes in Silverdale Road by the cemetery.
(15) Orchard Road is often congested by parked cars and a pavement at the top by the shop would add to road safety particularly as there are often many children around this area.
(16) the policing of Arnside was asked about - the Chairman informed the meeting that traffic wardens enforce parking between the water fountain on the Promenade and Gallery H; Kendal rural police only have limited manpower, however, people need to inform the police at the time of crimes occurring.
(17) it was suggested that traffic calming measures be taken such as red lines on the road - PC Friend answered that these are required on A roads where accidents have occurred and therefore would not be appropriate within Arnside.

Response by Cllr Ian Stewart

Cllr Stewart responded to the comments as follows:- (1) 344 people were killed and seriously injured on Cumbria’s roads last year; between January and August 2007 there have been 35 fatalities.  CCC are currently attending schools to make older children and their parents aware of the impact of their actions, and to generally re-educate people on their driving, (2) recent consultation papers issued by central Government on the reduction of speed limits within rural communities require CCC to complete a review of speed limits by 2011, however, this does not include C and unclassified roads, therefore the only road in Arnside to be affected by this review would be the B5282, (3) Arnside is the largest village in South Lakeland that does not have an SLDC car park and Cllr Stewart will make recommendations for this, (4) the double yellow lines will be reinstated around the village, (5) it should be feasible to have a white line on Sandside Road re the dangerous bend, (6) CCC are looking to change the way restorative works are carried out in that APC will have greater influence on where repairs are required, (7) although Cllr Stewart believes a 20mph limit would be difficult to police, he fully supports this suggestion.

Proposal for Blanket 20mph Speed Limit within Arnside

Mr Brian Walker proposed that Cumbria County Council imposes a blanket 20mph speed limit within Arnside.  This was seconded by Mr John Vellacott.  This proposal was RESOLVED and Arnside Parish Council will pass this matter on to Cllr Stewart.

Being no further queries, the meeting closed at 9.10pm.

Jayne M Beaumont
Deputy Clerk to the Meeting