A19NAG
Notes of a meeting with Stockton Borough Council at 14.00hrs on12th Jan 2010
The meeting was requested by the A19 NAG team to formalise support from SBC for the campaign to resurface the A19 Billingham Bypass with Whisper Asphalt.
Present at the Meeting :
A19 NAG Members : Councillor Mike Womphrey, Matt Kerridge,
Ken Charlton, Geoff Davison, Bernard Mclean.
SBC Members : Mr R. McGuckin, Acting Head of Technical Services
Mr W. Trewick Traffic & Road safety
Mr S. Smith, Environmental Health
Mr C, Asadi,Technical Officer for Public Protection
Meeting Notes.
1 SBC were provided with a copy of a Dossier compiled by A19 NAG before the meeting which summarises the case for resurfacing the A19 Billingham Bypass.
2 A general discussion ensued which covered the history of the A19 traffic noise, measured and perceived noise levels and properties affected.
Details of these issues are all included the Case Dossier which will be available on the Action Group website www.a19nag.com. in the near future.
3 DEFRA have completed their Draft Noise Action Plans which identify First Priority
Locations. ( FPL ). The A19 Billingham Bypass has not been identified as a FPL.
It has however been designated as an important area by DEFRA which means it will
be considered for action sooner rather than later by the Highways Agency.
4 Some areas of the Teesside Agglomeration have been identified by DEFRA as FPLs which appear to fall outside Defras declared criteria. The A19 Billingham bypass which carries over 22m vehicles/year, and over 400 properties affected, does not qualify. DEFRA have been approached by A19 NAG to explain why.
SBC agreed to investigate this point directly with DEFRA.
5 SBC have agreed that further noise measurements will be done covering a range
of climatic conditions albeit that some recording equipment used by SBC officers in the recent past could not be used in wet weather (The road noise is worse in wet conditions)
SBC stated they could be acting as agents for the H.A. in this exercise
6 The Highways Agency have also promised that a full noise measurement survey will be done this year. Presumably it will be an in depth study similar to the A50 Doveridge bypass report, carried out with equipment capable of recording in all weather conditions.
7 SBC confirmed that they do not directly support individual action groups. They do however recognise local residents concerns and support the replacement of the A19 concrete carriageway with a sound reducing alternative. They will continue to lobby DEFRA and the Highways Agency on behalf of all residents.
8 Richard McGuckin requested that all future contact with SBC is routed through Councillor Mike Womphrey .The A19NAG group acknowledged this request.
9 The A19Noise Action Group ( A19NAG) was formed to raise the profile and coordinate of the complaints of all residents affected by the problem an will still continue to communicate directly with any other authorities that can help to recognise Billingham Bypass as a First Priority Location.
10 The A19NAG team thanked Richard McGuckin and the rest of the SBC attendees for their time and positive response to our campaign.
B.Mclean
!7th Jan 2010