HOLNE PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of an Public Meeting of Holne Parish Council held on Tuesday 2nd September 2008 in Holne Village Hall

PRESENT; Cllr Simpson as Chairman , Kenneth Prince,Jack McCarey and Stephen Cross from South West Water , 2 representatives from May Gurney ( Contractors) , Kevin Dentith , Devon CC

Jo Burgess and Jon Holmes DNPA , Jon Stones DNPA ranger

CLERK; Karen Gilbert ,

56 MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC SIGNED THE ATTENDANCE REGISTER

This Meeting was held to enable members of the Public from Holne , Hexworthy and surrounding areas to liase with representatives from South West Water and May Gurney with regard to the road closure across Holne Moor as a result of the ongoing Flood control works at Venford Dam .

It is also proposed to carry out work at Newbridge , near Holne in the early Spring 2009 and as a concern had been raised from a member of the Public that the two bridges may be closed at the same time . Mr Kevin Dentith , Principal Bridge Engineer , Devon CC chose to attend this meeting to explain the situation.

Jack McCarey , SWW explained that , following an inspection of Venford Dam in April 2007 , it was decided that the existing spillway capacity of the dam would not be able to pass a flood of Probable Maximum Flood magnitude without causing significant damage and instability of the dam ..Although the probability of such a flood was 1 in 10000 years , SWW intend to construct a new spillway to convey flood water safely past the dam..As a consequence of these works , it is necessary to close the road across Holne Moor at Venford from 27th October 2008 until 24th January 2009

Mr McCarey advised that Temporary access across the dam would be available for agricultural and delivery traffic unable to negotiate Huccaby Bridge but stressed that this is to be by prior arrangement. The Car Parks either side of the dam would remain open for public use.

Mr McCarey informed the meeting that South West Water's main concern was for the safety of the General Public.

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Mr Kevin Dentith , Devon County Council ( Bridges) advised the meeting that work to Newbridge to reduce the number of hits by large vehicles and associated damage , was proposed for the Spring 2009 - the time of year it was considered to cause minimal disruption . Newbridge is a Grade II listed monument and as such any alterations would be subject to a stringent planning process which has yet to be submitted

At this time , there appear to be three options....1. Width resticting bollards placed on both approaches to the Bridge. 2. Traffic lights 3..The widening and straightening of the Bridge.

His main concern was that he wished to re-assure the Public that , under no circumstances will any work to Newbridge that requires it to be closed to traffic , commence until the Road across Holne Moor is fully operational

The Meeting was then opened to the public for discussion.

RE NEWBRIDGE

Ru Roberts - If Newbridge were to be widened , would that not encourage even wider lorries to attempt to pass

A. Obviously a possibility , but greater signage at an earlier stage to enable such traffic to alter course

Richard Copus - Wished it explained that any widening would be 200mm - 8 inches

A. Confirmed at this stage

Rosemary Mudge - Asked why Mr Dentith had not approached Dartmoor Forest Parish Council to advise of the proposals

A Mr DEntith said he would be happy to attend Dartmoor Forrest PC at any time . He further advised that Holne and Widecombe PC s had been consulted as the Bridge straddles their

Boundaries.

RE VENFORD

Peter Kingsley - Spoke as a resident of a thatched house in Hexworthy and asked what provisions had been made for the Emergency Services to reach Hexworthy bearing in mind the weight/size limitations of Hexworthy Bridge

A. SWW advised that , any problems regarding access by the Emergency services would be fully adressed as part of the consultation process involved in the Road closure application .SWW were informed that two appliances are required to attend a thatch fire and although a smaller appliance from Princetown can negotiate Hexworthy Bridge , it was uncertain whether a major appliance would.

SWW advised that should any additional fire precaution measures be indentified upon further investigation , then SWW would provide at its expense.

Frank Niering - asked SWW why the issue of the access for Emergency Sevices had not been more fully investigated at an earlier stage as it clearly was a basic requirement for the community of Hexworthy

A. SWW admitted that the matter is a serious one and measures should have been taken before this stage. SWW gave the meeting its reassurance that every effort will be made before the road closure to indentify any potential problems in this respect and provide satisfactory solutions . The Clerk asked that she be advised in writing of any further information.

Mike Bonney - Asked why closure was required for the period of three whole months

A. SWW advised that the works require deep excavation and that the contractors require three months to cater for varying stages of construction

Dave Mudge - asked why it was not possible to drill under the road thereby reducing the need for such a lengthy road closure

A . SWW daid that this option had been investigated but was not possible due to the underlying rock but reassured that no blasting of rock would take place

Mr Fairman - commented on the damage to the highway caused by the extreme increase in heavt lorry traffic adding that problems were being experienced the inconsiderate driving manner by the staff from May Gurney . Mike Bonney agreed and asked that heavy lorries used by the contractors should be discouraged from travelling in a convoy as this has already been found to cause serious problems in the narrow lanes around Holne. John Arden spoke up in defence of the May Gurney drivers stating that , as a driver of a horse carriage , he had always received appropriate treatment.

A . The represtative from May Gurney stated that he was aware of such problems and that remedial action had taken place

Michael French - asked why the Flood protection works were necessary at the Dam rather than further upstream .

A. SWW advised that the Works were required at the dam to ensure that the storm/foold water would safely pass the structure of the dam and added that they were sure that additional infrasructure on the Moor would not be considered appropriate

Paul Arrowsmith - asked whether any form of hydro electrical scheme had ever been considered in association with the revised spillway . He commented that a successful scheme further downstream on the River Dart had just been completed by the River Dart Country Park

A . SWW had not considered this option.

Ru Roberts - asked if the resevoir would be emptied during the works

A . SWW advised that the level of the water would decrease to facilitate the works.

Gill Gray - asked why , if the arrangments for the works began in April 2007 , had it taken 18 months before the communities were informed .

A. SWW stated that the Planning permission was applied for in May 2008 and that all information was available for public scutiny on DNPA website .They apologise for the fact that early consultations were made with the incorrect Parish Council as they had assumed that the Resevoir fell in the Dartmoor Forest Parish instead of Holne Parish

Phil Cleave - Spoke , as farmer at Coombestone Farm , and asked how flexible the contactors would be with the Farmers' requests for the temporary access as normal working hours/conditions do not apply to farming

A. May Gurney requested that any farmers wishing to raise issues regarding stock movements/ working arrangements consult them after the meeting . Farmers would be issued with a key to enable access to either side of the dam at any time of the day/night . They , however added that , there would be periods at the beginning and at the end of the works when NO ACCESS would be available. A noticeboard would be placed at the Car Park( Hexworthy side) where important information could be posted . In addition a full list of 24 hour contact details would be made available.

Irene Glenister ( Forest Inn Hexworthy) - expressed her concerns regarding deliveries of beer , linen and heating gas etc to the Forest Inn at Hexworthy . She added that deliveries can be made at any time during the course of the day as the drivers are unable to predict their delivery route . She also requested that the signage associated with the road closure should incorporate the fact that the Forest Inn can be reached via Newbridge/Poundsgate diversion route and that Business was as usual . . She also pointed out that the advance ROAD CLOSED AHEAD signs gave the impression that nothing was open further along that route. As the road closure straddled the busy Christmas ans New Year period , she was obviously anxious that her trade would not be affected

A. SWW suggested that if possible , the delivery driver could phone ahead to give the contractors some notice of their pending arrival . With regard to the signage , SWW agreed to supply the Clerk with a map showing the diversion and a list of intended sites for varying signs which could be marked with the information supplied by the Forest Inn . They did however stress that all signage had to be agreed by DNPA . Any loss of business caused to the Inn or extra expenditure can be presented to South West Water in order to claim compensation.This should , in the case of business loss , be accompanied by three years accounts . Claims for compensation from members of the public or from Farmers will also be considered .

SWW also advised that the supply of water to Holne Moor Leat will be interrupted at the beginning and end of the road closure and asked that any person affected give their details at the end of the meeting in order that they may receive notice of the exact timing

The Chairman thanked South West Water , May Gurney , represatives from DNPA and Mr Dentith for attending the meeting and answering the questions raised by the Public . She added that further details will be made known through the Parish Link or noticeboards along with contact numbers and names . Holne Parish Council also look forward to receiving SWW written reassurance and plans regarding Emergency service access to Hexworthy in the near future

The Meeting closed at 9.15pm

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