Ernie Clark. Hilperton Division, Wiltshire Council.

Democracy at County Hall? You must be kidding.

I have now received legal opinion from WC regarding the provision of pedestrian crossings on the HRR.

The reply states:-

'The statutory power to establish crossings for pedestrians on roads for which the council is responsible is vested in the council as the local traffic authority under section 23 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984. Consequently it is for the council as the local traffic authority to determine and approve the details of any pedestrian crossings required on the new road in the interests of highway safety. Whilst the council will have regard to the stipulation regarding zebra crossings in condition 10 of the above planning permission it is not bound to adopt this and will decide what is appropriate in accordance with relevant policy and guidance.

Section 23 of the 1984 Act requires the council to consult the chief officer of police and to give public notice of any proposal to establish a pedestrian crossing. This is an executive function that will be exercised by the Cabinet Member for Highways and Streetscene and Broadband in due course.'

So it would seem that the 'consultation' held between myself and Cllr. Oldrieve and WC Highways was a sham and a waste of everyones time.

In addition, note the wording 'requires the council to consult the chief officer of police and to give public notice of any proposal to establish a pedestrian crossing'. So, if WC does bow to public opinion for pedestrian crossings (unlikely, as this would be a change of mind for Highways) then they would 'consult'. Logically then, if WC decides to ignore yet another planning condition, WC doesn't have to do anything at all!!

This process is a complete and utter disgrace and the Higways officers at WC should be hanging their heads in shame - but I doubt that they are.

Cllr. Oldrieve and I will have to consider how we drive this issue forwards to achieve what the public want.