The North Devon Highways and Traffic Orders Committee meeting scheduled for 12 June 2026 was set to discuss proposals for local waiting restrictions across the North Devon area, as well as specific waiting restrictions in Combe Martin. The committee was also scheduled to consider several local highway safety and traffic concerns raised by councillors.

Local Waiting Restriction Programme

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the Local Waiting Restriction Programme, which aimed to rationalise existing parking arrangements across North Devon. The report pack outlined proposals for new or amended waiting restrictions, which had been collated from requests received by the council. These proposals were advertised between 7 May and 29 May 2026, following consultation with local County Councillors and the Chair/Vice Chair. The report detailed objections received and provided officer recommendations for each location. The stated aims of these proposals included enabling more efficient enforcement, encouraging sustainable travel choices, and assisting pedestrians and vulnerable road users. The financial implications of advertising new Traffic Orders were noted as approximately £1,500 per committee area, in addition to costs for signing or lining changes.

The report pack included detailed information on specific proposed waiting restrictions in various locations, including:

• Barnstaple: No Waiting At Any Time around the junctions of Corporation Terrace with Clinton Road and Corporation Street, to prevent obstructive parking and improve visibility.
• Sticklepath: No Waiting At Any Time on both sides of Old Bideford Road between Old Torrington Road and Broadclose Road, to prevent obstructive parking and maintain road access for buses. Additionally, proposals for Old Torrington Road included No Waiting At Any Time outside No. 22 to preserve highway access and improve visibility.
• Bishops Tawton: Proposals included introducing No Waiting At Any Time around the access to the north-western service road from Woodstrait to Tithe Barn Court Farm to prevent obstructive parking and improve visibility. Further proposals for the same road, between Little Pill and Wayside, aimed to prevent obstructive parking and maintain traffic flow. No Waiting At Any Time was also proposed around the junction of Mount Pleasant with the Road From Woodstrait To Tithe Barn Court Farm to prevent obstructive parking, improve visibility, and maintain pedestrian access.
• Bickington: No Waiting At Any Time on Tews Lane/Bickington Road to match existing restrictions around Holland Close and into Tews Lane, to prevent obstructive parking and improve visibility.
• Instow: Inclusion of Mimosa and Smugglers Cottage within the Instow Residents Parking Zone A to reflect current residential properties.
• Roundswell: Introduction of No Waiting At Any Time on the Road Past Roundswell Community Centre (Old Bideford Road) between the roundabout and the supermarket deliveries access, to prevent obstructive parking and improve pedestrian safety.
• Braunton: Proposals included No Waiting At Any Time around the junctions of Pixie Dell with Dune View Road and Quantocks to prevent obstructive parking and improve visibility. On East Hill, proposals aimed to prevent obstructive parking around the junction with Down Lane and along East Hill. Exeter Road proposals included No Waiting At Any Time around the junctions with Colley Park Road, Wellclose Road, and Braunton Service Station to prevent obstructive parking and improve safety around junctions and across the cycle lane. Hills View also had a proposal for No Waiting At Any Time in front of the substation at the junction with East Hill to prevent obstructive parking. Silvan Drive proposed No Waiting At Any Time around the junction with North Down Road to prevent obstructive parking, improve visibility, and maintain pedestrian access.
• South Molton: Removal of the School Keep Clear Marking on South Street and introduction of No Waiting At Any Time on both sides between the junction with Parklands and the end of the priority system to prevent obstructive parking, improve visibility, and protect children crossing to the school.
• Ilfracombe: Introduction of No Waiting At Any Time on Castle Hill opposite the junction with Castle Hill Avenue to prevent obstructive parking and preserve highway access. Fortescue Road proposals included extending No Waiting At Any Time on the eastern side to the end of the road and removing two Limited Waiting bays. St Brannocks Park Road proposed extending No Waiting At Any Time on the western side to match the eastern side outside Nos. 2/4.
• Barnstaple: Extension of No Waiting At Any Time on Boutport Street across Maiden Street to prevent obstructive parking.

The report noted that proposals without objections would be implemented, while those with objections were detailed in Appendix 2, along with recommendations. The financial considerations indicated that the programme would be funded from the Minor Traffic Management Improvements budget. Legal considerations included adherence to the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 and Section 122 of that Act, which mandates securing the expeditious, convenient, and safe movement of traffic. Environmental impacts were considered positive, aiming to rationalise parking, improve mobility, and encourage sustainable travel.

Combe Martin Waiting Restrictions

The committee was also scheduled to consider proposals for waiting restrictions in Combe Martin, following a review initiated by Combe Martin Parish Council and further requests from the local County Councillor. The report detailed a statutory consultation period from 26 March to 20 April 2026, which received responses from 39 residents. The report acknowledged that a significant number of residents opposed the proposals, and recommended a site meeting with the local County Councillor and HATOC Chair to review the objections and the site before a final decision. The estimated cost for implementing all proposed restrictions was £10,000, funded from the Capital Traffic Management budget. Legal considerations again referenced the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 and Section 122. The environmental effects were deemed positive, aiming to address longstanding parking issues and improve parking infrastructure.

Matters for Consideration

Several local highway safety and traffic concerns were listed for consideration, each raised by a specific councillor:

• Gratton Way Bus Lane: A review of traffic conditions and surrounding impacts, requested by Councillor Ed Tyldesley.
• Saunton Road (B3231): A discussion on safety, accessibility, and active travel, requested by Councillor Graham Bell.
• Bickington / Fremington Gas Main Works: Consideration of traffic management and mitigation measures, requested by Councillor Frank Biederman.
• South Molton Highway Safety and Traffic Concerns: A review of safety and traffic issues, requested by Councillor Richard Hopley.
• Safety and Speed Concerns B3233 / Yelland Road corridor: A SCARF review and site visit update, requested by Councillor Frank Biederman.

Standing Items

The meeting agenda also included standing items such as Actions Taken Under Delegated Powers, detailing traffic regulation orders progressed since the last meeting, and an update from the Bus Users and Stakeholders (BUS) Forum. A review of petitions and parking policies was also scheduled.

The meeting was scheduled to begin with the election of a Chair and Vice Chair, followed by apologies for absence and declarations of interest. Minutes from the previous meeting on 13 February 2026 were also to be confirmed.