Agenda item

Proposal for Experimental Traffic Regulation Order on Fairmead Road, High Beach in partnership with Essex Highways (SEF 32/18)

Report of the Director of Open Spaces and Heritage.

Minutes:

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RESOLVED - With two hours having elapsed since the start of the meeting, in accordance with Standing Order No. 40 the Committee agreed at this point to extend the meeting by up to thirty minutes.

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Members considered a report of the Director of Open Spaces and Heritage regarding the proposal for Experimental Traffic Regulation Order on Fairmead Road, High Beach in partnership with Essex Highways (SEF 32/18). The following comments were made.

 

·         Members were advised that the Epping Forest Transport Strategy (2009-2016) proposed the closure of selected minor roads within Epping Forest to reunite areas of Forest previously dissected by highways, making more of the Forest both tranquil and safety accessible to the public. The proposal to close Fairmead Road was modified in September 2013 to leave 500m open to motor traffic to retain access to the Fairmead Bottom Car Park. The partial closure has seen fly tipping and Anti-Social Behaviour previously experienced along the length of the road concentrated across the remaining 500 metres open to motor traffic.

 

·         Members were asked to approve the proposal to introduce an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO) on the remaining section open to motor traffic to extend the benefits seen upon the 700m of highway closed under a Traffic Regulation Order in 2012, to the entirety of the road length. This action would improve visitor experience, increase safety for the Forest cattle and enhance protection of the SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) and SAC (Special Area of Conservation).

 

·         A Member voiced concerns that closure would be a detriment to disabled visitors who park here and view this as a key area. The Head Forest Keeper advised that other areas were deemed to be more suitable for disabled visitors.

 

·         A Member noted that local residents had requested that the road remain open as this would result in the loss of 30 car spaces. A suggestion was put forward to keep the car park open during the day and close it at night. The Superintendent advised that it could only be permanently open or closed.

 

·         A Member noted that the pros of closure far outweighed the negatives due to the crime and speeding that occurs in the area which would be avoided if the road was no longer accessible.

 

·          The Head Forest Keeper advised Members that he had done numerous patrols of the area in conjunction with the Police and drugs, fly tipping and sex acts were a big problem. He added that they had a duty of responsibility to deal with the continuous issues.

 

·         In response to a query regarding where the gates would be, the Head Forest Keeper advised that local highways support was conducting a survey looking at the design and, when completed, would develop a short and long-term plan.

 

·         A Member queried whether the gate would impact the tea hut car park. Members were advised that this would be considered during the design process.

 

·         A Member suggested making the road a bridal way and saw a potential opportunity to add this to the network of riders.

 

 

RESOLVED – That Members support:-

 

·         approval for the 18-month Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO) at Fairmead Road in line with the aims of the Epping Forest Transport Strategy and in partnership with Essex Highways;

 

·         approval of the preparation of a report on the ETRO at the end of the trial period to assess the impacts of the measure on the Forest and to consider future action;

 

·         approval of the development of costed proposals, for the permanent closure of Fairmead Road as a highway for vehicular traffic, as part of the negotiated Mitigation Strategy for Epping Forest Special Area of Conservation.

Supporting documents: