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Briefing Note Number Seven, 1^st October 2007.

1.      Liaison Meetings

The latest meeting with the Developer’s Project Manager (Trench Farrow) was held on 21 September 2007 and the latest meeting of the Project Team (consisting of Development Co-ordination, Gloucestershire Highways and ITU) was held on the 25 September 2007. 

2.      Lobleys Drive Traffic Scheme

The cost of the proposed pedestrian refuge, cycleway and road widening between Laxton Road and Otter Road have been submitted by Gloucestershire Highways for approval and a Target Cost has been set at £56,000. Continuing with this work would have resulted in a significant overspend on the overall Lobleys Drive scheme which could not be approved without undertaking a full priority assessment for inclusion in the Capital Programme. After careful consideration it is considered highly unlikely that such a scheme would be successful since it appears to have limited highway safety benefits and would be used by few pedestrians or cyclists. For this reason this aspect of the works has been abandoned. 

GH have been instructed to undertake additional design work with a view to providing two zebra crossings on Lobleys Drive in the vicinity of Laxton Road and Brome Road respectively prior to the opening of the bridge. GH have confirmed that meeting this schedule is possible, even though both schemes will need to be priority assessed and approved at Cabinet member level for inclusion in the Capital Programme. Such a scheme should also be capable of provision within an acceptable overspend and not require the closure of the road during the construction phase.

Members will be consulted on the scheme, once detail drawings are available.             

3.      New traffic lights at the Lobleys Drive/Abbeymead Avenue junction

During the E-on works, it became evident that an additional electrical apparatus was affected over and above that previously identified and whilst the original 11kv cable has already been diverted, another 11kv cable was due for diversion during the week beginning 28 September 2007. Griffiths were instructed to commence works on the 11 September 2007 and work around the additional E-on diversion works.  

There has been no delay in the programme even with the delayed start date and works are still anticipated to be completed (and Lobleys Drive opened to through traffic) in January 2008, although every opportunity will be taken to advance the completion date.

4.      Bus Priority for Abbeymead Avenue/Metz Way planned for later this year 

Technical approval is still being sought. 

A few issues of land ownership have been raised and it is likely that the scheme will be amended slightly to ensure that third party land is not encroached upon.   

5.      M5 Bridge

The Dedication Agreement with the Highways Agency has still not be completed but dialogue has been continuing between the County Council and the Highways Agency to ensure that any outstanding matters are resolved quickly.

It is still the intention of the Developers to undertake all works to the bridge (including to the parapet) before Lobleys Drive is opened to the public. However, technical approval has to have been issued by the Highways Agency and the bridge dedicated as public highway, before this work can be undertaken.

6.      Buses

Negotiations on the precise details of the route of the extended no. 3 service have been ongoing with Stagecoach and it is currently intended to terminate the service within the residential element of Coopers edge and not extend the service onto the Tesco store. This decision was taken in light of the anticipated lack of current demand from the existing dwellings in Abbeymead and Coopers Edge for such a service, the cost implications of providing such a long extension and the lack of adequate facilities at the store.

It is still intended to provide a new service by 2010 which would operate into the District Centre, by which time sufficient infrastructure will have been provided (new link road from Delta Way to Golf Club Lane and bus stops and shelters adjacent to the District Centre shops).       

7.      Linkage to Bird Road, Cranham Gate

Hucclecote Parish Council have been informed of the County Council decision not to require a bus link at this stage.

8.      Gloucester Business Park Traffic Lights to be re-commissioned.

The traffic lights at the junction on Lobleys Drive within Gloucester Business Park are still due to be re-commissioned, at which time the responsibility for their maintenance will pass on to the Council.

9.      Travel Plan for Coopers Edge

A second meeting was held on the 25 September 2007 between the County Council and the developer’s Project Manager to agree the timetable for setting up the Travel Plan Management Board and for the appointment of the Travel Plan Coordinator. The first meeting of the Travel Plan Management Board is programmed to be held on the 1 November 2007 at 4:30pm.

10.  Other Obligations

The Shurdington Road, Metz Way and Station Road schemes are being progressed by Gloucestershire Highways and any queries should be addressed to the relevant Stakeholder Manager.