To deal with questions from councillors and from members of the public, in accordance with Standing Order 11.

Note: Questions from members of the public must be submitted in writing or by email by no later than 5.00pm on 11 October 2010.

(a)  Mr John Brace, a member of the public, having given the appropriate notice in accordance with Standing Order 5(2) (j), submitted the following question:

“When will the alcohol scrutiny review regarding access to alcohol by young people in Wirral finally report, what changes by Wirral Council will it lead to and what input has Wirral Council had from young people in its creation?”

Councillor Harry Smith, Chair of the Scrutiny Programme Board, responded as follows:

“The Alcohol Scrutiny Review Panel is expected to produce a report, including recommendations, by early 2011. The report will initially be considered by the Scrutiny Programme Board. If approved, the report will then be forwarded to Cabinet.

The Alcohol Scrutiny Panel is currently reviewing the evidence found during the review. As a result, recommendations will be formulated. It is, therefore, not yet known what proposed changes might emerge from the review.

Members of the Alcohol Scrutiny Panel have, accompanied by Youth Outreach workers, engaged with young people on several visits to youth clubs, parks and open spaces. “

(b)  Mrs Leonora Brace a member of the public, having given the appropriate notice in accordance with Standing Order 5(2) (j), submitted the following question:

“A study was requested last November by Wirral Council of traffic speeds in Boundary Road (which has a 30mph speed limit). This report showed that the majority of drivers were breaking this speed limit northbound with some going as fast as 56-60mph, with over 1,000 vehicles (in one weekend in both directions) breaking the speed limit alone (a rate of one speeding vehicle every few minutes). Why following this report was action not taken to lower excessive speed in Boundary Road and nearby Brow Road (such as reducing the speed limit here to 20mph), taking into account the narrow, curvy nature of both Brow & Boundary Road with parked cars obscuring lines of sight for drivers?”

Councillor Harry Smith, Chair of the Scrutiny Programme Board, responded as follows:

“I understand from the Director of Technical Services that the investigations into the concerns raised by the petitioners are still ongoing due to a number of factors.

I understand that whilst it was the intention of the Director of Technical Services to report the findings of his investigations into the petitioners concerns to a meeting of the Highways and Traffic Representation Panel prior to the formulation of the 2010/11 Road Safety Block programme, this was not in fact possible due to the fact that part of Boundary Road is included in Government’s requirement that each Highway Authority in the UK undertake a review of speed limits on all A and B class roads and implement any changes by 2011.

To this end, I am aware that Council had approved that a panel be formed (including a Consultant – AECOM; the Police and Traffic Management Officers) to review speed limits on these strategic roads. This programme of work is currently ongoing, with a number of changes to speed limits being advertised.

The results of the traffic survey have shown that average daily flows of 791 vehicles and average 85%ile speeds of 35.6mph within Boundary Road. Speeding by individual drivers is irresponsible however, not all roads where drivers speed require the introduction of lowered speed limits. Indeed, the very few irresponsible drivers choosing to grossly ignore the current 30mph speed limit by travelling in excess of 40 and 50mph are unlikely to adhere to a 20mph speed limit.

As is the case with all speed limits, it only the police who can undertake enforcement action. I believe that drivers who travel above the recognised speed limits should be prosecuted appropriately for such offences and I have had reassurance from the Director of Technical Services that he has made the Police aware of the results of the survey.

I would place on record that I have been instrumental in working with both the officers from Technical Services and local residents in this area in the development of the successful junction improvement at Boundary Road/Worcester Road a few years ago. I understand from Officers that the crash record at this junction has improved significantly since its introduction. During the last year, I have also been involved in locating a new pedestrian refuge within Worcester Road. More recently I have also asked that the Director introduce carriageway markings in Vyner Road North; Worcester Road and Boundary Road, again to improve road safety.

Following discussions with the Director, I believe he still intends to report his findings to a forthcoming meeting of the Highways and Traffic Representation Panel.

Although the Director is still pursuing his investigations of this and other locations, I am aware that the section of Boundary Road between Worcester Road and Bidston Village Road is seen by many as a key local route, and making this one-way could have some negative impacts on local people. My experience as a Ward member and one who has served for many years on highways committees on behalf of the Council is that where roads are made one-way, traffic speeds can also increase. I have raised these points with the Director of Technical Services.

As a concerned Ward Councillor I have asked that the Director make all available efforts to conclude his outstanding investigations as soon as possible and report his findings appropriately.”