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MAIDSTONE BOROUGH COUNCIL

 

Maidstone Joint Transportation Board

 

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON Wednesday 3 August 2022

 

 

Attendees:

 

Committee Members:

 

Councillor Gary Cooke (Chairman), Springett (Vice Chair), Cooper, Chittenden, Clark, Mrs Grigg, Holmes, Kimmance, Knatchbull, Parfitt-Reid, Prendergast, Russell, S Webb and Young

 

 

 

Visiting Members:

 

Councillors Burton and Jeffery

 

<AI1>

243.     Apologies for Absence

 

Apologies were received from Councillors Carter and Wilson.

 

</AI1>

<AI2>

244.     Notification of Substitute Members

 

There were no Substitute Members present.

 

</AI2>

<AI3>

245.     Urgent Items

 

While not an urgent item, a report had been provided to supplement Item 13 – Presentation by Local Bus Companies Regarding the State and Usage of Public Bus Services in the Maidstone Area – and would be taken alongside that item.

 

</AI3>

<AI4>

246.     Notification of Visiting Members

 

Councillors Burton and Jeffery were present as Visiting Members for Item 13 - Presentation by Local Bus Companies Regarding the State and Usage of Public Bus Services in the Maidstone Area.

 

Councillor Jeffery was present as a Visiting Member for and Item 15 - Update on Maidstone Integrated Transport Package. 

 

</AI4>

<AI5>

247.     Disclosures by Members and Officers

 

There were no disclosures by Members or Officers.

 

</AI5>

<AI6>

248.     Disclosures of Lobbying

 

Councillor Prendergast had been lobbied on Item 13 - Presentation by Local Bus Companies Regarding the State and Usage of Public Bus Services in the Maidstone Area.

 

Councillors Clark, Grigg and Kimmance had been lobbied on Item 15 – Maidstone Integrated Transport Package.

 

 

</AI6>

<AI7>

249.     Exempt Items

 

RESOLVED: That all items be taken in public as proposed.

 

</AI7>

<AI8>

250.     Minutes of the Meeting Held on 6 April 2022

 

RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the meeting held on 6 April 2022 be approved as a correct record and signed.

 

</AI8>

<AI9>

251.     Presentation of Petitions

 

There were no petitions.

 

</AI9>

<AI10>

252.     Questions and Answer Session for Members of the Public

 

There were no questions from members of the public.

 

</AI10>

<AI11>

253.     Question and Answer Session for Members

 

There were no questions from Members.

 

</AI11>

<AI12>

254.     Maidstone Joint Transportation Board Work Programme

 

It was requested that an item be added to the Committee Work Programme on Linton Crossroads.  

 

RESOLVED: That the Committee Work Programme be noted.

 

</AI12>

<AI13>

255.     Presentation by Local Bus Companies Regarding the State and Usage of Public Bus Services in the Maidstone Area

 

Norman Kemp (Director and Company Secretary, Nu-Venture) and Michael Jennings (Area Head of Commercial, Arriva) addressed the Committee. The pandemic had presented a challenge for both companies, and the recovery since restrictions had been lifted was outlined. Although passenger numbers were increasing, they did not meet pre-pandemic levels. A further challenge was rising costs, including wages, and the national shortage of drivers had a significant impact on bus services.

 

The Committee were invited to ask questions of the presenters,

 

It was requested that the Committee be kept updated on the Bus Service Improvements Grant, including the confirmed amount that Kent County Council receive and the schedule of how it would be spent.

 

The full presentation, including questions from the Committee, can be viewed on the Council’s YouTube Channel at the following link:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0a3XnXLi08&t=3035s

 

</AI13>

<AI14>

Note: Councillor Parfitt-Reid left the meeting during this item.

 

 

 

</AI14>

<AI15>

256.     Hart Street Pilot - Verbal Update (for information only)

 

The Planning and Advice Principal Engineer (KCC) updated the Committee on the pilot scheme at Hart Street, which was scheduled to commence in November 2022. The scheme was experimental and could be removed at short notice if it had a negative impact.

 

In response to questions, the Planning and Advice Principal Engineer would take feedback to KCC regarding the concern around the timing of the works, and the potential impact on traffic during the already busy Christmas period.

 

RESOLVED: That the update be noted.

 

</AI15>

<AI16>

257.     Update on Maidstone Integrated Transport Package

 

The Major Projects Team Project Manager (KCC) introduced the report and outlined the scheme updates.

 

The duelling of the A249 Bearsted Road had been permitted and would enable continued traffic flow when maintenance or utility works were carried out. The Construction and Environment Management Plan had been formally discharged in July 2022, and the works were expected to be completed in August 2023.

 

The A20 Coldharbour Roundabout works would follow the Bearsted Road project, and the construction contractor was expected to be appointed in early 2023.

 

As part of the A229 Loose Road Corridor scheme, the first phase of the Wheatsheaf Junction works was in progress, with the second phase was due to commence in Spring 2023. The Armstrong Road junction works were due to commence in October 2022, in conjunction with the junction improvement at Sheals Crescent,   with completion scheduled ahead of phase two of the Wheatsheaf junction works. The improvements to the Cripple Street / Boughton Lane junction remained on hold.

 

Building consent had been approved for the improvement works to the A20 Ashford Road junction with Willington Street, which would require the Mote Park wall to be repositioned.

 

In response to questions, the Major Projects Team Project Manager confirmed that a meeting would be scheduled between the KCC officers, relevant Ward Members and Vice Chair of the Committee, to discuss the retaining wall required on parts of the A249 Bearsted Road. The start date of the improvement works would be confirmed to the Committee. The six-month assessment of comments and objections regarding the trial closure of Cranbourne Avenue would be requested for inclusion within the October update, and clarification sought on whether speed cameras would be placed on the A229 Loose Road junction with Sheals Crescent.

 

The Major Projects Team Project Manager confirmed that the A26 Tonbridge Road junction with Fountain Lane scheme would be classed as high risk, and that it would be confirmed back to the Committee whether the S106 monies for the scheme were time-limited. Regarding the A20 Hall Road scheme, clarification would be provided on the reason for Maidstone monies being spent on the implementation of the scheme.

 

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

 

</AI16>

<AI17>

Note: Councillors Cooper and Prendergast left the meeting during this item.

 

</AI17>

<AI18>

258.     M20 Junction 7 Improvements

 

The Major Projects Team Project Manager (KCC) updated that the Levelling Up funding bid (round two) had been submitted that week.

 

Concern was expressed that the funding of the improvements scheme was by KCC and potential grant funding, when the junction was part of national infrastructure and funds had already been collected from developers. It was felt that multiple other local schemes should be prioritised to receive funding rather than the M20 J7 improvement works.

 

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

 

</AI18>

<AI19>

259.     Reference from Council: Additional Crossing Options on the A26 Tonbridge Road, Maidstone

 

A reference had been received to consider the motion put forward at the Council meeting on 13 April 2022, for KCC to review additional crossing options on the A26 Tonbridge Road.

 

The Maidstone Highway Manager explained that a review had recently been undertaken by the KCC Officers which could be updated and brought back to the Committee.

 

RESOLVED: That the matter be referred to KCC for consideration, with the request to be reported back to the Committee.

 

</AI19>

<AI20>

260.     Maidstone Highway Works Programme

 

KCC Highways Officers were thanked for their recent involvement and fast turnaround of works required to the aqueduct on the A229.

 

In response to questions, the Maidstone Highways Manager explained that the Oakapple Lane / Hermitage Lane junction had been completed but was not yet adopted.

 

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

 

</AI20>

<AI21>

Duration of Meeting

 

6.30 p.m. to 8.27 p.m.

 

</AI21>

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