Various Concerns, Thorntonhall Area

With reference to your site meeting on 27h November 2002 with my assistant Mr Alan Cunningham, I comment as follows.

As I am sure you understand, your group raised various issues at the meeting some of which were attended to shortly afterwards and others which required further investigation.

I will note the various actions and proposals in numerical order for ease of reference:

1.Peel Road - To North of Braehead Road

Upon further investigation it appears that a short section of pipe has either collapsed or broken near to the edge of carriageway at the inlet side. I have passed an instruction to our Contractor, to excavate and repair the damaged pipe, patch the carriageway locally and clean our both the inlet and outlets of the pipe. I am confident this will alleviate the flooding problem which occurs mainly during flash floods or periods of sustained heavy rainfall.

2. Peel Road - Whole length

I arranged for all the road gullies to be cleaned out along the length of the road. This work is complete and has resolved any localised gully ponding issues.

3. Braehead Road - Tree roots (damage to footways/footpaths)

My inspector will investigate issues regarding tree roots which are causing 'heaving' of the footway. I will decide on the solution once I am in receipt of our Arborologist report. It may be that the tap roots can be safely removed, however if this is considered to be detrimental to the tree then they may require to be removed.

Unfortunately any costs incurred during these works will be the responsibility of the owners of the trees. I will comment on this further at a later date.

4. Braehead Road/Peel Road function radii

I am satisfied that there is adequate road width here to allow vehicles to negotiate the turn at this location. While I do appreciate that the radii may not be in accordance with current standards, this location is semi-rural and the junction is similar to many others in the surrounding area. Should there be proposals to carry out footway works at this location then I may consider kerbline alterations at some time in the future.

5. Braehead Road (On hill heading towards Wellknowe Road)

I understand that subsequent to my inspector contacting Scottish Water the repairs have been satisfactorily carried out around the water toby's. The matter regarding water draining off the Public carriageway (via cut officts) is an acceptable solution for the removal of surface water from the carriageway in rural situations such as this. I understand that Mr Cunningham explained this to you in detail at the meeting, and that you accept his explanation.

6. Peel Road (Section between Braehead Road and the Railway Bridge)

The collapsed gully which was identified near the access road to the railway station was repaired within a few days of the meeting.

7. Variable message signing - Speed limits.

I have investigated this issue further and can now advise you that such requests are subject to a Policy decision being made by the Council. I will raise the matter with our Traffic Section, however a Committee Report will require to be prepared and presented for consideration.

In the interim period, and for your interest, 1 estimate that each sign could cost in the region of £5,000 which also requires consideration.

8. Road accident concerns - Peel Road

My colleague Mr Neil Chisholrn (traffic section) has studied the accident statistics, particularly at the junction with Eaglesham Road. The figures provided to me indicate that during the three year period of 1st November 1999 to 31st October 2002 there were no injury accidents and three non-injury accidents on the whole length of Peel Road (i.e. from Eaglesham Road to the Queensway). In addition there have been no recorded accidents of any type at the junction with Eaglesham road.

While not being complacent, these figures do not give me any case for concern at this time. It may suggest that those using the road have local knowledge and therefore generally proceed with care.

9. Addition of vehicle crash barrier at the railway bridge, (Peel Road)

I have raised your concerns regarding the vertical drop to the railway line at this location with our Structures Section, who will respond to me with their recommendations in due course.

10. General road/footway Defects

My inspector will carry out an inspection of the areas in question and arrange for any safety defects to be repaired. In relation to the general conditions of the roads and footways I feel that most are generally in a safe condition and will be considered for future resurfacing programmes, along with all other priorities within the East Kilbride area.

11. Replacing of Fingerpost Sign at Braehead Road/Peel Road

Both myself and my assistant Mr Cunningham support the restoration and preservation of historic features such as "fingerpost" signage. Unfortunately however, the original cast-iron fingerpost signs were accident damaged and deemed beyond economical repair. I am currently arranging for new signs to be manufactured in modern materials with similar styling as the originals and will be in a position to erect these in April 2003. I trust that this meets with your satisfaction.

I trust that this letter summarises all of the items raised at the meeting, however should you wish to discuss any further details please contact my assistant Mr Alan Cunningham on (01355) 806347.

Thank you for your ongoing interest in roads in your area.

Signed

Donald Robertson

Divisional Engineer

East Kilbride Area