Interview with Flo Churchill, Interim Head of Core Strategy Development

Public minute of Transport Modelling Workshop Update.

The Chairman introduced Flo Churchill, Interim Head of Core Strategy Development who thanked the Committee for accommodating her request at short notice.

Ms Churchill updated the Committee on the Transportation Modelling Workshop and a new appointment to her team which would enable them to go forward more quickly and effectively with the Core Strategy.  With reference to the Workshop, Ms Churchill felt that there was some divergence from Members on a number of fundamental issues including cycling, Park and Ride provision and operation, and town centre parking.  The Officer informed Members that it was also recognised that there was a need to ‘bring together the transport strands’ by working with Kent County Council and also to remember the importance of rural areas.

Funding issues were highlighted to the Committee; they were told that support from KCC was reducing so there would be a need for creative and considered thinking in this area. Ms Churchill spoke of a staffing restructure at County level which would have an effect on current resources.  Members were informed that that Peter Rosevear’s secondment from KCC Highways, currently full time, would reduce to two days a week.  The new appointment mentioned was to be a senior, temporary post which would help ensure the Core Strategy continued to move forward. The Officer explained that a pattern for spatial distribution had to be agreed as well as a consensus from Members on the assumption of the Park and Ride and the impact of congestion. The officer informed the Committee that the transport model would have to be re-run but this would not happen at present as it would cause delay to the Core Strategy going forward. 

The Committee questioned the comments which were included in the member’s feedback from the transport modelling workshop and whose attitude was reflected in the request for ‘realism in the Transport plan’.  Ms Churchill explained that the comment was directed at Officers to ensure that a realistic approach was taken with an awareness of the restrictions in funding.  The Committee discussed joined up thinking and a collaborative approach suggesting the inclusion of the Business sector in this.  The Officer felt that the current working arrangements in place between KCC and Maidstone Borough Council in the shared resource, Peter Rosevear from Highways, working full time with the Core Strategy team reflected this approach. Ms Churchill told the Committee she wanted to ensure a close working relationship was established with Businesses and the Rural Economies Field Trip, arranged by the Leisure and Prosperity Overview and Scrutiny Committee, had helped to enable that.  The Officer explained that having spoken to the rural business community she wanted to ensure this continued through the neighbourhood forums.

Members raised the issue of traffic speed, particularly near schools.  The Officer told members that this was not an issue that had been raised in the workshops and was not something the authority had influence over. As the Core Strategy developed any issues that arose that Maidstone were unable to address would be passed on to KCC. The Committee reiterated the need for a joined up approach to transport, especially with the County responsible for so much.

Members asked the Officer, as someone new to the town, what her initial impression of the town and its transport system was.  Ms Churchill told the Committee that she thought the Park and Ride worked very well despite its sometimes early closure.  The Officer felt that the level of car parking in the town centre was excessive and described other options such as the car sharing scheme promoted by KCC and Green Travel Plans. In response to the Committee’s suggestions regarding an alternative route to the A229 Ms Churchill felt that a bypass was not a solution to the traffic congestion in the town but car parking on the other side of the town, increasing the frequency and availability of the Park and Ride and addressing the issue of free bus pass users using the Park and Ride were all areas that could be explored.  The Officer agreed with the Committee that it was about finding one solution and devising a strategy that encompassed both parking and Park and Ride.  Rail travel was discussed in relation to a joined up approach to transport and the need for those coming into Maidstone to use the rail facilities being considered and accommodated in Maidstone’s transport infrastructure.

The Officer concluded the discussion by reminding Members of the new staffing resource that would help explore the way forward.

Resolved:

a)  That the Committee be kept informed on the Core Strategy developments and Members workshops; and

b)  That the meeting be reopened to the public.