The Senior Major Capital Programme Project Manager addressed the Board to provide a verbal update on the 20mph pilot schemes and active travel schemes under consideration.

With regard to the 20mph schemes it was noted that there had been several requests for such schemes, and that prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, the schemes had been collated with the aim of creating a county wide survey on the proposals. The necessary traffic surveys had not been completed due to the disruption caused by the pandemic, with resources having been largely directed to delivering emergency budgets such as the emergency active travel fund. It was confirmed that the aim was to deliver various town wide 20mph schemes through the active travel fund, which included Buckland Hill and Boughton Monchelsea as individual sites.

The Board was informed that the emergency active travel fund was announced by the Secretary of State on 23 May 2020, to support the installation of temporary projects as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. For the first tranche of funding, Kent County was provided with one of the largest sums of funding that totalled £1.6million. The funding would be subject to a 12-week delivery period with five themes selected which included town wide 20mph schemes, recreational cycling, the repurposing of carriageways for pop-up cycleways, school travel streets, and model filters and liveable streets. The Leaders of the relevant local authorities had been informed of those themes.

The Senior Major Capital Programme Project Manager confirmed that the two schemes being progressed were to allow highways to be utilised for recreational needs along Earl Street by moving the pedestrianised area down to Puddling Lane and the creation of a pop-up cycle route in King Street, from the A249, through to the Mall. The designs for the two schemes would be completed by Friday 17 July 2020, with a further 2-week period to programme the works across the county and the remainder of the 12-week period being focused on the delivery of the schemes.

The Board was informed that no guidance on the second tranche of funding had been received, with the potential for up to £4.6million to be provided. It was noted that Members would be given further opportunities to be involved in the schemes delivered as a result of the second tranche of funding. A potential scheme included a 20mph speed limit within the Maidstone Town Centre area, however this was not a fixed proposal.

Councillor Harper addressed the Board as a visiting member with specific reference made to the proposed scheme on Earl Street as Chairman of the Economic Regeneration and Leisure Committee. A petition previously presented that concerned with a 20mph between Tonbridge Road and the Medway was discussed. The Senior Major Capital Programme Project Manager responded that a working group had been created that would have discussions with the numerous cycle groups and forums operating across the county.

In response to questions, the Senior Major Capital Programme Project Manager confirmed that when the application for a new development is received by Planning, the imposition of a 20mph speed limit is considered if it was proposed or deemed necessary to the development.

The Senior Major Capital Programme Project Manager noted that it was hoped that the schemes put forward for the second tranche of funding would have the full support of Members in order that they would be achieved.

RESOLVED: That the verbal update provided be noted.

Note: Councillor Wilby exited the meeting during this item.