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Maidstone Borough Council

Regeneration & Economic Development

Overview & Scrutiny Committee

Tuesday 25 October 2011

Traffic Congestion Review: Summary-To-Date

Report of: Overview & Scrutiny Officer

 1.     Introduction

1.1        In June 2011 the Committee agreed to review Traffic Congestion, focussing on five objectives;

·         To identify how to unlock the congestion and capacity of traffic in Maidstone town, by using best practice techniques investigating Chelmsford and other local neighbouring towns;

·         To investigate the consideration given to new developments by the planning authority in relation to traffic volume and road maintenance;

·         To look at the future as modern technology using electric cars will not solve the traffic congestion;

·         To establish ways to educate the residents to promote car sharing and public transport; and

·         To make recommendations as appropriate.

 2.     Recommendation

2.1    The Committee is recommended to consider the summary attached in Appendix A, and ascertain areas where further research is required to fulfil the objectives of the review, including areas where Members can drive forward aspects of the review and volunteer assistance as part of the ongoing work.

3.      Traffic Congestion

3.1     The Committee have visited four places of interest as part of their investigations, being Maidstone Traffic Control Centre, Godstone Control Centre, Medway Council and Chelmsford Borough Council.

3.2     The public have been consulted using various methods of communication, including radio, posters in buses, the Kent Messenger Newspaper and Facebook, which have also resulted in feedback via telephone and email.

3.3     A number of internal witness have been interviewed including Kent County Council Transport Planner, Head of Development Management, Senior Pollution Officer, Economic Development Manager, Assistant Director of Environmental & Regulatory Services and Interim Head of Core Strategy.

3.4    External witnesses have also been interviewed, including County Councillor Malcolm Robertson, Director of the Invicta Chamber of Commerce, Business Development Manager of Arriva, Director & Company Secretary of Nu-Venture Coaches Ltd, Business Development Manager of Streamline, Corporate Sales Manager Mitsubishi, and Manager for Electric Vehicles for the UK & North Ireland Mitsubishi.

4.      Impact on Corporate Objectives

4.1    The Strategic Plan 2011-15 states the Corporate Priority for “Maidstone to have a growing economy” with the outcome of “A transport network that supports the local economy”.