Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were intimated by:

Councillor Gordon Blair

Melissa Stewart, Area Governance Officer

Scott Goodwill, Caledonian MacBrayne

Simon Richmond, Caledonian MacBrayne

Cowal Transport Forum 4^th December 2015

The minute of the meeting of the Transport Forum 4 December 2015 was approved as a correct record.

Verbal update by Transport Scotland.

Keith Murray, Transport Scotland provided the forum with a verbal update, the following points were noted:

·         During October and November 2015 three landslides took place.

·         On the 30^th December 2015 Storm Frank created two issues –flooding at Ardgarten and a landslide on the Rest and Be Thankful which two vehicles were caught up in.

·         On the 4^th January the boulder was deemed unsafe and on the 6^th January the boulder was blasted to remove the risk.

·         It was noted that a Transport Scotland debrief highlighted a lack of diversion signage and that this should be looked at.

·         Future works – A further 6.6 million pounds will be allocated to the A83 over the next two years. For 2016/2017 1.08 million will be spent on risk reduction which includes further netting designed for different frequencies of events.

·         Strone Point is now ready to go out to tender.

·         It was noted that Transport Scotland would encourage road users to use the Transport Scotland Twitter page for the most up to date and accurate roads information.

A conversation took place regarding signage, the Chair reminded the Group that issues regarding signage should be dealt with at item 7. Signage Review of the agenda.

Actions

A83 Additional Diversion Signing diagram to be circulated to the Forum by the Senior Area Committee Assistant.

Verbal update by Argyll Ferries and Western Ferries representative.

Argyll Ferries

A representative from Argyll Ferries was not present at the meeting and therefore no update was provided.

Willie Lynch informed the Group that the unsuitability of disabled access at Argyll ferries has now been escalated to the attention of the Transport Minister as previous engagement with Argyll Ferries on the subject has not resolved the issue.

Actions

1.    Senior Area Committee Assistant to circulate copies of the letter to the Transport Minister to the Forum.

2.    Councillor McNaughton to discuss with the Area Governance Manager if there is anything that can be done to help provide a solution to the disabled access issue.

Western Ferries

Gordon Ross from Western Ferries provided the Forum with a brief update, which included the increase of ferry traffic due to road closures and the cancellation of the Gourock Bute ferry on the 30^th December 2015. Gordon reported that during times of very high ferry traffic they work very closely with the police and the situations were managed well with no complaints received. It was also noted that Western Ferries would have their drydock period between February and March and that there are no changes to the previous summer timetable.

Actions

1.    Keith Murray to find out how many cars go through the relief road on an hourly basis when the A83 is closed and feed back to Gordon Ross.

2.    Councillor McNaughton and the Senior Area Committee Assistant to enquire if there are any known issues surrounding the gaps between the trains and platforms at Gourock and then report back to the Forum.

Verbal update by Community Transport Officer.

The Community Transport Officer provided the Forum with a brief update on two issues previously dealt with by the Forum. He reported that the Dunoon Hospital timetable will be issued this year and that the service 480 will be implemented on the 22^nd February 2016 with timetables available on the website and in the bus shelters.

Actions

1.    Community Transport Officer to discuss with West Coast Motors management issues surrounding ramps on buses not being lowered to meet individuals needs.

2.    The Community Transport Officer will issue assistance cards for distribution by South Cowal Community Council and anyone else who requires them.

3.    Community Transport Officer to discuss with West Coast Motors an issue surrounding buses not stopping at the second turning circle in Ardentinny and report back to the April Transport Forum meeting.

4.    Roads department to link into a meeting regarding the Ardentinny turning circle issue.

Verbal update by Community Transport Officer.

The Community Transport Officer addressed an issue that had arisen regarding the lack of bus services in Cowal over the Christmas and New Year period.

Action

Community Transport Officer will discuss the situation with West Coast Motors to see if anything can be done to provide a service on the public holidays over Christmas and New Year and report back to the April meeting of the Transport Forum.

Verbal update by Iain MacInnes, Lochgoil Community Council.

Iain MacInnes provided the Forum with an update on the issues surrounding the new turning circle at the top of the rest and be thankful. Iain reported that buses were not currently using the new facility and that the bus companies have deemed it unfit for purpose due to the exit onto the A83 from the B828 being dangerous, the turning circle not being suitable at night due to lack of lighting and they feel there is a lack of demand by the public for the stop to be used, the last point was addressed by Iain who stated that there is a drop in passengers using the service due to the buses not stopping when they are meant to.

It was noted that Transport Scotland and Argyll and Bute Council are working together to try and rectify the situation and it was suggested by the Forum that the Police could engage as well.

Action

Progress update to be brought back to the April Transport Forum by Transport Scotland and the Roads Department with a suggested target of May 2016 to have the issues resolved.

Verbal update by Contracts Manager.

The Contracts Manager provided the Forum with a verbal update on general road issues in the Cowal area which included a focus on reactive works due to weather conditions over the last few months and the ongoing work on the construction of the extension of the footway at the Cothouse.

Report by Contracts Manager.

The Forum considered a briefing note by the Roads department which provided information on options/ proposals to deal with traffic issues in Hunters Quay. The Forum held a general discussion regarding the various options outlined in the report.

Action

The Roads department will take the lead on setting up a meeting to be held between Western Ferries, Roads department, Hunters Quay Community Council and the Police to agree a suitable way forward and then report back to the April Transport Forum meeting.

Verbal update by Contracts Manager.

The Contracts Manager held a general conversation with the Forum regarding the possibility of an annual signage review for the Cowal area, several issues regarding signage have been addressed at the Forum previously and they felt that a review of missing, damaged and inadequate signage should be looked at.

Currently the VMS sign at Strachur has had some work done on it but is currently delayed due to lack of clarity on who is responsible for the running of it and the sign at the Cot House is being looked at.

Actions

1.    Contracts manager to rectify fallen VMS sign at St Catherines.

2.    An update on progress of implementation of VMS signs should be brought to the April Transport Forum by the roads department.

3.    Roads department to look at disabled bays in the Dunoon Area where the pole and sign is missing.

Verbal update by Police Scotland representative.

Sergeant John Forrest, provided the Forum with a statistical breakdown from Police Scotland, with the following points noted:

·         December and January have been busy months with 63 roads related incidents most were weather related.

·         Police Scotland responded to the Landslide incident which involved two vehicles.

·         Recent drink driving campaign had resulted in two drivers being charged.

·         Six reports for speeding were reported to the Procurator Fiscal with twelve incidents of speeding overall.

·         Six reported incidents of careless driving.

Verbal update by Scottish Fire and Rescue Representative.

A representative from Scottish Fire and Rescue was not present at the meeting so therefore no update was provided.

Report by Regeneration Project Manager

The Regeneration Project Manager took the Forum through a report and slides which provided an update on the works undertaken to refurbish the Wooden Pier.

The Forum held a discussion surrounding the completed works as well as the planned works for phase 2 & 3 of the project which included proposed costings and timescales.

Presentation by Regeneration Project Manager

The Regeneration Project Manager took the Forum through a presentation which provided an update on the current progress of the Queen’s Hall refurbishment.

The Forum held a conversation regarding the proposed changes to the building, car parking facilities, changes to road layouts and disabled parking bay provision.

Anne Gabriel from the Local Access Panel distributed information and assistance cards that can be used for public transport. The Forum noted the information provided.

Friday 15^th April 2016, 10am, Castle House, Dunoon.

The next Cowal Transport Forum will be held on Friday 15^th April at 10am in Castle House, Dunoon.