MAIDSTONE BOROUGH COUNCIL

Cabinet

Tuesday 14 April 2015

REPORT OF THE PLANNING, TRANSPORT AND DEVELOPMENT OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE

Report prepared by Tessa Mallett 

1.           Planning Transport and Development Overview and Scrutiny Committee Review of Transport in Maidstone - alternatives to using a car Report

1.1        Issue for Decision

1.1.1   To consider the recommendations within the ‘Review of Transport in Maidstone – alternatives to using a car’ report attached at Appendix A.  The SCRAIP for the report recommendations is attached at Appendix B with the responses to date.

1.2        Recommendation of the Planning, Transport and Development Overview and Scrutiny Committee

1.2.1   That Cabinet considers and responds to the recommendations of the report as set out from page 57 to 60 in the attached review report (Appendix A) and the SCRAIP report (Appendix B).

1.3        Reasons for Recommendation

1.3.1   Congestion is considered to be a serious problem in the centre of Maidstone for some time.  With an objectively assessed housing need figure of 18,600 new homes, there is a risk this problem will only get worse unless strategic steps are taken to mitigate the effects of this increase in homes on traffic.

1.3.2   The emerging draft Local Plan will include policies to mitigate the effect of increased development on the borough roads.  This is an opportunity to look at alternative methods of transport infrastructure to support this.

1.3.3   The Committee has made recommendations regarding the promotion of walking and cycling as an alternative to using a car which will need considerable investment.

1.3.4   The Planning, Transport and Development Overview and Scrutiny Committee found there were issues with the services provided by public transport providers.  There also appears to be a lack of opportunity for service users to discuss their issues with providers or a lack of awareness of the opportunities that are available.  The Committee believe this needs to be addressed if public transport is to be an attractive alternative to using a car and have made recommendations accordingly.

1.4        Alternative Action and why not Recommended

1.4.1   The Cabinet could decide not to consider the recommendations within the ‘Transport in Maidstone – alternatives to using a car’ report, however the recommendations are based on evidence from a wide range of sources and support the Council’s objectives with regard to Maidstone being a decent place to live and Maidstone having a growing economy outlined in 1.5.

1.5        Impact on Corporate Objectives

1.5.1   The Council’s Strategic Plan 2011-2015 lists ‘For Maidstone to be a decent place to live’ and ‘For Maidstone to have a growing economy’ as a key priorities.  The recommendations within the report are considered to contribute to the fulfilment of these outcomes.

1.6        Risk Management

1.6.1   Where recommendations included in the review are the responsibility of other agencies there is a risk that the Council is not able to influence those agencies to implement these recommendations. 

1.7        Other Implications

1.7.1    

1.7.2   Financial – Some of the recommendations seek to influence policy or practice at a County level and other organisations.  This will require significant investment and will have financial implications for those agencies responsible for highways and public transport provision.

1.7.3   Staffing – the majority of recommendations are for the Council’s Spatial Policy Team and can be delivered within existing staffing resources of Maidstone Borough Council. 

1.8        Relevant Documents

1.8.1   Appendices

• Appendix A - Review of Transport in Maidstone – alternatives to using a car
• Appendix B – SCRAIP showing report recommendations with responses to date

IS THIS A KEY DECISION REPORT?                  THIS BOX MUST BE COMPLETED     Yes                                               No     If yes, this is a Key Decision because: ……………………………………………………………..   …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….     Wards/Parishes affected: …………………………………………………………………………………..   ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..