Agenda item

Interview with:

Flo Churchill, Interim Head of Core Strategy Development and Jonathan Morris, Principle Transport Planning Officer.

The Chair welcomed Jonathan Morris, Principal Transport Planning Officer to the meeting.

Mr Morris informed the Panel that the research and data collection was progressing well and it was expected that this stage would be completed by the end of the following week. It was explained to the Panel that the deadline had slipped by a week, due to issues with the transport modelling. The Panel noted that the cost benefit analysis on the scenarios was due to be completed next week also.   

Mr Morris told the Panel that Business Community workshop had been held with partners including Town Centre Management. He expressed disappointment with the turnout but stated despite this the workshop had been constructive and in particular it has informed the Economic Impact Assessment on local businesses undertaken by JMP. The minutes of this meeting have been circulated. The panel questioned how with a low turnout, particularly from the rural area, that so few could have such a large influence.

Members asked if there were any early indications from the traffic modelling work. Mr Morris responded that the data was still being checked and that he was reluctant to give any indication at this stage as there was still data outstanding. Mr Morris added that there had been some unexpected results hence the need for additional data verification and extension in timeframe.

The Panel queried ‘unexpected results’, Mr Morris informed them that some of the data had initially thrown up journeys that seemed unlikely for example journeys originating from Birmingham. The Panel questioned if their previous concerns around the definition of destination and route data had been taken on board. Mr Morris informed them that it had and that for the purpose of accurately identifying journey origin and destination Maidstone had been divided in 40 zones.

The Panel expressed their concern regarding the timeframes and reminded Mr Morris of the need for Member’s to have their input. Mr Morris agreed that a date was needed to discuss the conclusions from the analysis to move forward, Mr Morris stated that this was a decision for Sue Whiteside, Spatial Policy Team Leader.

The Panel questioned the credibility of the data considering the unexpected results. Mr Morris agreed that the outputs of the data analysis would only be as good as the initial data input. He went on the reassure the panel that the consultants engaged, Jacobs, JMP and himself were all experts in this area and that the model which had been used was developed by Jacobs and was being using by KCC and throughout Kent.  

A Member questioned where the baseline, detailed data came from. Mr Morris informed the panel that it was gathered from a variety of sources including Kent Highways, data from the AMPR system and survey data.

The Panel noted that there were three options currently being discussed and queried why it appeared from the titles of the scenarios that the focus of two out of the three was on Park and Ride. Mr Morris explained to the Panel that although the titles did suggest this each scenario had wider implications that would reduce congestion. For example bus lanes would not be solely used by Park and Ride service but also general buses and could also double up as car sharing lanes. The panel noted that Maidstone had some of the lowest vehicle occupancy rates in the country.

It was queried by the Panel where the funding would come from and if funding viability was being taken into consideration. Mr Morris told the panel that this would form part of the viability testing for the introduction of the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) and that the cost benefit analysis would allow prioritisation to take place prior to decisions being made. The Panel concluded that the cost benefit analysis should be taken into account ongoing affordability of the scenarios. Mr Morris confirmed this would be the case.

A Member highlighted that although on street parking was discussed at the Business transport Workshop that this was not reflected in the minutes of the meeting. Member’s agreed that the minutes should be amended to reflect this. The Panel discussed the Member workshops and commented that although these were not formal meetings they believed that the outputs were being used as evidence and were informing the development of the Integrated Transport Strategy. The Panel recommended that the recording of workshops be looked into as there was currently no formal way of agreeing or correcting records from these meetings.

A Member stressed the need for the timetable and procedures to be in the right order so that the Parking Standards can be fed through into the Parking Strategy and in turn the Integrated Transport Strategy so that issues arising out of the Parking Standards can be addressed.   

It was resolved that:

a)  The minutes of the Business Transport Workshop be amended to reflect the discussions around on street car parking in the town centre; and

b)  Procedures for the recording and minuting of workshops be looked into as there was currently no formal way of agreeing or correcting records from these meetings.