Agenda item

Maidstone Integrated Transport Package (MITP)

Minutes:

The Senior Major Capital Programme Project Manager described each of the schemes within the Maidstone Integrated Transport Package (MITP).  The Board was informed that public consultation was to commence in September 2019.  A single consultation page was to be used for the whole package of work, which aimed to give consultees a greater understanding of the wider context of the scheme.  Following an anticipated contract award in early 2020, construction was planned to commence in April 2020.

 

Councillor Harper spoke on this item as a Visiting Member.

 

A20 Coldharbour Roundabout

 

The Board commented that it was positive that a large section of the A20 Coldharbour Roundabout was to be built offline, as this reduced the need for lengthy diversions.

 

In response to questions from the Board, the Senior Major Capital Programme Project Manager replied that:

 

·  The potential to implement part-time signalisation at the roundabout was being explored as part of the detailed scheme design.

 

·  The purchase of third-party land had significantly reduced the risk associated with the scheme.

 

A229 Loose Road Corridor

 

Following questions from the Board, the Senior Major Capital Programme Project Manager confirmed that:

 

·  The implementation of a signalised lozenge roundabout at the A229 Loose Road/A274 Sutton Road scheme achieved a capacity benefit beyond the original target of 2031. 

 

·  The acquisition of the Wheatsheaf Pub was underway, which significantly reduced the risk associated with the scheme. 

 

·  The detailed scheme design allowed for planting and environmental screening to be introduced.  This was to be included in the consultation process.

 

·  Although Cranbourne Avenue was to be closed at the junction, plans to enhance the street environment for residents who used the road had been included.

 

·  Traffic from Shepway had safe passage to another junction in the Loose Road Corridor, despite the closure of Cranbourne Avenue.

 

·  A fibreoptic link between the signals in the Loose Road Corridor was to be established.  This ensured that the phasing of lights allowed a better flow of traffic.

 

A20 Ashford Road/Willington Street

 

The Board commented that this was a vital infrastructure scheme.  Although there was a risk of an objection to the planning application due to the removal of vegetation, the plans to reinstate the vegetation at an appropriate location were acknowledged.

 

The Senior Major Capital Programme Project Manager informed the Board that construction of this scheme was planned for between September and October 2020.

 

A274 Sutton Road/Willington Street & Wallis Avenue

 

The Board noted that the scheme only achieved capacity benefits until 2021.

 

The Senior Major Capital Programme Project Manager said that:

 

·  The proposal combined elements of schemes considered by the MJTB in 2015 and 2018. 

 

·  A dedicated right-turn into the petrol filling station to the East was included in the scheme.

 

·  The proposal widened roads into the grass verge, however, the relocation of the southern bus stop allowed for the implementation of an improved planting scheme at the site. 

 

·  The acquisition of third-party land was required to widen Willington Street, in order to achieve improved capacity benefits.

 

·  The cost of the scheme was increased by the number of utilities located in the grass meadow at Bell Meadow, which needed to be diverted.

 

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

 

Note: Councillors Wilson, Brown and Gooch left during consideration of this item.

 

Note: The meeting was adjourned from 7.01 p.m. to 7.10 p.m.

 

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