Agenda item

The Board considered the report of the Director of Highways and Transportation setting out the results of the public consultation on the experimental 7.5 tonne weight restriction implemented last year in the Yalding area to improve the quality of life of residents.  The representative of the Director of Highways and Transportation advised the Board that:

·  The results of the public consultation showed that there was a clear difference in views between local residents and the local business community.  Local residents generally felt that the scheme had been beneficial in reducing the number of large HGVs travelling through the area.  There had been a reduction in noise, pollution, vibration and damage to roads and property, and an improvement in safety and quality of life.  However, local residents had highlighted the problem of HGVs using even less suitable alternative routes to avoid the experimental restriction, and many had indicated that they would not support the scheme unless additional roads such as Claygate Road, Darman Lane, Spenny Lane, Pikefish Lane and Laddingford were included in the zone.

·  Local businesses and their representatives had made a clear case that the scheme was having a detrimental effect due to the increased running costs of having to travel further and for longer to avoid the restricted roads.  However, it was considered that the amendments made to the scheme allowing the issue of exemption permits and a proposal to extend the general exemption for agricultural purposes to include HGVs travelling through the zone should minimise the effect of the scheme on most local businesses, but it could not be totally mitigated against.

·  Maidstone Borough Council had commissioned an economic impact assessment regarding the scheme, and this had been circulated separately.

·  Kent Police had raised no objection in principle to the scheme, but had indicated that in real terms enforcement of the weight restriction was likely to be a low priority.

Councillor Barbara Grandi of Collier Street Parish Council addressed the Board.  She said that the Parish Council fully supported the implementation of the weight limit, recognising the beneficial impact on the quality of life of local residents.  However, it was felt that additional roads such as Claygate Road, Spenny Lane and Laddingford should be included within the zone as they were being used by HGVs as an alternative route to avoid the experimental restriction.

Rachel Curley, a resident of Yalding, addressed the Board urging Members to recommend that the scheme be made permanent.  She said that since the implementation of the scheme, the number of HGVs passing through without stopping had dropped substantially resulting in a reduction in noise, pollution, vibration, safety issues, environmental damage and congestion.

During the ensuing discussion, reference was made to the following:

·  The need for additional advance signage to advise drivers of recommended alternative routes;

·  The need for further publicity to be given regarding the availability of exemption permits;

·  The possibility of extending the experimental weight restriction for six months to allow more time for the permit scheme to run in conjunction with it before a final decision is made;

·  The damage caused by HGVs to old buildings, roads, verges and ancient bridges;

·  The argument for putting double yellow lines through the centre of Yalding and providing a village car park as an alternative approach to dealing with the traffic issues;

·  The argument for promoting the use of larger and heavier vehicles as they cause less damage to roads and less pollution;

·  The need for the weight restriction to be, in the main, self-enforcing; and

·  The results of the before and after HGV surveys.

On the basis of the consultation results that the majority of the local community wish to see the scheme retained subject to the inclusion of Claygate Road, Darman Lane, Spenny Lane, Pikefish Lane and Laddingford within the zone and that the issuing of exemption permits and the extension of the agricultural activities exemption minimises the effects of the scheme on local businesses, the Board:

RESOLVED to RECOMMEND to the Cabinet Member for Highways, Environment and Waste: 

1.  That the Yalding and surrounding area experimental 7.5 tonne weight restriction be retained with the inclusion of additional roads such as Claygate Road, Darman Lane, Spenny Lane, Pikefish Lane and Laddingford and that the agricultural activities exemption be extended to include HGVs travelling through the zone; and

2.  That additional advance signage be installed to advise drivers of recommended alternative routes.