Agenda and draft minutes

RESOLVED that Councillor Kenyon be elected Chair for the duration of the meeting.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Chowhan, Jackson and Murphy.

A public question had been received from Dhanyaal Rashid:

“What steps is the Council taking to ensure that highways maintenance is effectively prioritised within Werneth Ward, and what urgent measures are being implemented to address the backlog of reported road and footpath defects? Additionally, will the Council commit to carrying out full and durable resurfacing

where required, rather than temporary or inadequate repairs, to ensure long-term public safety? Given the severity of these issues and the frequency with which they have been reported, I urge the Council to take immediate action to review all outstanding cases and ensure they are assessed and resolved as a matter of urgency.”

The following response was provided:

“Thank you for your question.

All 800KM of the borough’s road network is inspected in accordance with national guidance. Where urgent defects are identified, on the road or the footpath, they are repaired within 2 or 24 hours. Some defects are monitored over a longer period and subject to programmed repair rather than the urgent repair timeframe outlined above. The above approach is applied consistently across all wards, including Werneth.

As outlined in the 2026/27 budget, this Labour Administration will invest an additional £2m in capital spending on highway maintenance across the borough. This is in addition to government grant funding that is received. This investment will allow larger scale repairs where there are several defects in need of maintenance in a close vicinity. The Council will continue to monitor the network consistently and undertake repairs where needed.“

The Minutes of the meeting held on 30^th March 2026 are attached for approval.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 30^th March 2026 be approved as a correct record.

To consider objections received to the proposed Haven Lane traffic calming scheme and 20mph zone.

Consideration was given to a report of the Director of Environment which advised the Committee of objections received to the proposed Haven Lane traffic calming scheme and 20mph zone.

The 20mph speed limit and traffic calming measures proposed related to an original scheme associated with condition 17 of planning application PA/338917/16. The proposed scheme complimented the existing 20 mph speed limit with traffic calming (in the form of traffic cushions) on the adjacent length of Haven Lane and on Counthill Road. The planning permission was issued on appeal subject to a section 106 unilateral undertaking by the developer, which required the developer to pay a commuted sum of £35,767 towards a traffic calming scheme on Haven Lane before commencing the development. The commuted sum was received by the Council in January 2024.

The original condition 17 of planning application PA/338917/16 which required the implementation of traffic calming measures prior to occupation of the approved dwellings was varied by planning application VAR/353326/24 in October 2024 to require a scheme for traffic calming measures on Haven Lane, to a specification that has previously been approved in writing by the local planning authority, to be implemented, in full, within 12 months of the permission being granted.

The proposal was subsequently advertised, and thirteen objections were received. It was noted that a further 71 properties supported the objections to the proposals in a door to door survey carried out by the Chair of the Moorside East Residents Association.

The main points raised by the objectors were around noise, resident parking, safety, damage to vehicles, Tax payers funding the scheme, damage to properties and environment.

Options considered:

Option 1: Introduce the proposed restrictions as advertised

Option 2. Relax the proposal and introduce Speed Cushions instead of a junction plateau at the junction with Rushton Grove.

Option 3. Do not introduce the proposed restrictions

RESOLVED that the Director of Environment be requested to not approve the  proposed restrictions and the 20MPH zone be extended.

Notes:

1.    An objector attended and addressed the Committee

2.    A Ward member attended and addressed the Committee

Consideration was given to a report of the Director of Environment which advised the Committee of objections received to the proposed waiting restrictions on Albion Street, Failsworth.

A report recommending the introduction of new Prohibition of Waiting (PoW) restriction on Albion Street, Failsworth, was approved under delegated powers on 25 November 2024. The proposal was subsequently advertised, and 2 objections were received.

The basis of the objections was that the small area currently provided important short-stay parking for residents, visitors, deliveries and emergency services, and that tenants had no alternative secure parking provision. Concerns were also raised regarding accessibility needs, with one resident advising that they were disabled and require convenient parking for themselves and visiting carers. The objectors further stated that the adjacent Hubron commercial car park was unsuitable due to reported incidents of vehicle damage and the absence of CCTV or additional security measures. It was also suggested that Hubron delivery vehicles generally operate between 8am and 6pm, and that vehicles parked within the area were typically removed early in the morning.

In light of the objections, Officers acknowledged the concerns regarding parking displacement and in response to that feedback, the Council had developed a relaxed alternative proposal (Option 2) that option replaced the originally proposed Double Yellow Lines with a Prohibition of Waiting Mon-Fri

8am–6pm (Single Yellow Line).

Options considered:

Option 1: Install Prohibition of Waiting restrictions as advertised (Original Proposal).

Option 2: Install a relaxed alternative (Prohibition of Waiting between 8 am and 6 pm).

Option 3: Do nothing and withdraw the proposals.

RESOLVED that the Director of Environment be requested to approve Option 2 and it be implemented on site.

RESOLVED that the item be deferred to the next meeting.