Interview with:

County Councillor Malcolm Robertson;

Peter Rosevear, Kent Highways Strategic Transport &

Development Planner; and

John Foster, Economic Development Manager.

The Chairman welcomed County Councillor Malcolm Robertson, Peter Rosevear, Kent Highways Strategic Transport & Development Planner, and John Foster to the meeting, and invited Councillor Robertson to begin.

Councillor Robertson gave a presentation of information, attached in Appendix A.  Councillor Robertson informed the Committee that as the oldest standing Member of Maidstone Borough Council, he recalled days in 1955 when watching the traffic was a pastime sport, and shared with the Committee a Kent County Council supplemented newspaper from 1985 entitled ‘Maidstone-a way ahead’ that showed an artists impression of what the proposed road networks would look like, attached at Appendix B.

He informed the Committee that the ‘Rail Action Plan for Kent 2011’ was a good document and advised the Committee to consider the information within as part of the review. With regards to the train network, the Committee heard that the service to Cannon Street was not in the current franchise and it was deemed not commercial enough by the Train Operating Company (TOC); therefore it was no longer available. However, a new service to Blackfriars is being sought that will eventually be part of Thameslink. It is expected to include Maidstone from 2016/18. Kent is proposing that in the new franchise some services to Blackfriars should be taken from Sevenoaks and given to Maidstone for the interim period from 2014 till Thameslink happens, so as to provide a continuous service to the  City.

In answer to a question, Councillor Robertson stated that if funding was available he would redevelop the south side of the town, in particular the Upper Stone Street to Hail Road area.

The Committee heard from Mr Rosevear, who stated that the Transport Strategy used 2007 data to predict the situation in 2026, and this was how all Local Authorities Planning Authorities form their strategies. 

The Committee discussed the lack of vigour towards the Leeds/Langley by-pass, as it was noted that many people were travelling to the West by going through the town. Although there was much development required, it was agreed that the Committee should have a high vision and ambition in order to achieve what the borough needs, as it was noted that the by-pass was not wanted, but needed. Mr Rosevear stated that traffic was entering the town because it wanted to be there, not because it was passing through the town. The Committee asked for evidence of this information to be provided.

With regards to the gyratory system, the Committee discussed that the Traffic Control Centre visit on 26 June 2011, highlighted the need for more cameras to allow the four exits to be permanently watched, without tree foliage obstructing the view. As development on St Peters Street had been fruitful, this had created a large affect on the traffic entering the gyratory system. The Committee agreed that two cameras on the gyratory system and two tv screens in the control centre should be provided, and a tree surgeon should be allocated to keep the trees at a suitable height.

In answer to a question, Mr Rosevear stated that traffic lights were necessary to assist the smaller side roads that join the main road network and although on temporary occasions having no traffic lights had been effective it would not hold on a permanent basis. 

Mr Foster informed the Committee that a survey looking at the perception of the town centre had identified that there was not enough parking, too much congestion and type of office facilities provided was not attractive for businesses. Whilst he appreciated that there was a problem to be solved, he cautioned the Committee that the solution needed to allow Maidstone to remain attractive.

Resolved:  That the officers be thanked for the information and that:

a)  evidence showing the traffic going to the town, not through the town be circulated to the Committee;

b)  the Committee adopt a high vision and ambition whilst carrying out the review; and

c)  2 cameras, 2 TV screens and a tree surgeon be funded by the Council for the use at the Traffic Control Centre to assist traffic management onto the gyratory.