MAIDSTONE BOROUGH COUNCIL

JOINT TRANSPORTATION BOARD

28 APRIL 2010

REPORT OF KCC’S HEAD OF COUNTYWIDE IMPROVEMENTS

 Report prepared by Andrew Burton, KCC Highway Schemes Manager    

HIGHWAY IMPROVEMENT SCHEMES

1.1        Recommendadtions

Members are asked to:

1.1.1   Note the progress of the highway improvement programme

1.1.2   Endorse the construction of a zebra crossing in Maidstone Road, Nettlestead, as illustrated in Appendix B of this report

1.1.3   Endorse Officers’ proposal that, of the remaining highway schemes scheduled to be built in 2010-11 (listed in Appendix A), only that for the A274 Maidstone Rd,  Langley / Sutton Valence, be brought back to this Board for formal endorsement of the proposed works.

1.2        Background Documents

1.2.1   On 25 March 2010, Kent County Council’s (KCC’s) Cabinet Member for Environment, Highways and Waste announced the programme of works that would comprise the Integrated Transport Strategy 2010-11. 

2        Discussion

2.1        Appendix A to this report details the progress of each scheme in the highway improvement programme, including previous years’ schemes that were not completed by April 2010.  Progress to date is summarised and anticipated progress prior to the next meeting of this Board is detailed.  To help streamline these schemes’ delivery and reduce the cost and bureaucracy of implementing the more minor highway alterations, officers recommend that only those alterations that markedly impact on the travelling public be reported in detail to this Board.  Instead, only a status summary would be reported (to every meeting of this Board).  Whilst it is acknowledged that this could remove a “reality check” from the existing process, Officers consider that this can still be ably provided through the local Member engagement that would still take place for every scheme.  The schemes that would be affected by this change are identified in paragraph 2.2 of this report.

2.2        The last six schemes in Appendix A are those for which funding was agreed to be spent in 2010-11 as part of the Integrated Transport Strategy.  These are described in more detail as follows:

2.2.1   MY 16 01 TD:  A229 Running Horse Roundabout, Sandling.  KCC proposes to carry out minor modifications to the road markings, traffic signs, street-lighting and crash barriers to reduce the risk of road traffic accidents at this large roundabout.  In due course, local Members will be informed of precisely what changes are proposed, but it is not proposed to report these details to this Board seeking formal endorsement

2.2.2   MY 16 02 TD -  A274 Maidstone Rd,  Langley / Sutton Valence.  Following a crash investigation report and the outcome of the joint KCC/Kent Police Speed Limit Review, KCC proposes to carry out changes to the speed limit, traffic sihns and road markings between Five Wents and Sutton Valence so as to alters the drivers’ environment.  Minor modifications to the Five Wents and Warmlake crossroads are also proposed both to improve junction conspicuity and to assist drivers waiting to join the A274.  The scheme designer will engage with Local Members and the Parish Council as part of the design process, before referring the final proposal to this board for endorsement.

2.2.3   MY 16 03 TD - Bus Routes 71 & 101.  As part of KCC’s high-level policy to improve accessibility for all, bus stop facilities along Routes 71 and 101 will be improved during 2010.  Works to assist passengers on routes 71 (Maidstone-Ditton-Larkfield-Snodland) and 101 (Maidstone-Chatham-Gillingham) will include more shelters, improved lighting, raising the footway to make it easier to board, and proving pram ramps close to bus stops.  Local Members will be informed of precisely what changes are proposed, but it is not proposed to report these details to this Board seeking formal endorsement.

2.2.4   MY 16 04 TD - Medway Valley Railway Line.  As with the improvements to bus routes 71 & 101 above, this project is part of KCC’s high-level policy to improve accessibility for all.  Shortcomings and obstructions to access have been identified and have been scheduled into those that are on public and those that are on private land.  All works on public land will be carried out in 2010-11 and will mostly comprise the installation of pram ramps, better signing and widening existing footways close to the stations south of Maidstone.  In due course, Local Members will be informed of precisely what changes are proposed, but it is not proposed to report these details to this Board seeking formal endorsement.  Implementation of works on private land (primarily that owned/leased by Network Rail or the train operating companies) cannot be assured until legal agreements with those parties has been obtained.

2.2.5   MY 16 05 TD -  Maidstone Road, Nettlestead.  Following a local request, KCC are proposing to install a zebra crossing in Maidstone Road, Nettlestead outside the village hall.  Formal consultation commenced on 19 April and any responses received by the date of the meeting this meeting of this Board will be reported verbally on the evening.  With this proviso, Members are asked to endorse the proposal, illustrated as Appendix B to this report.

2.2.6   MY 16 07 TD -  A20 Ashford Road, Harrietsham.  Following a local request, KCC is proposing to alter the roadmarkings on the A20 at its western junction with West Street (the primary school end) to form a right-turn lane.  Subject to the proposal passing safety audit, local Members will be informed of precisely what changes are proposed, but it is not proposed to report these details to this Board seeking formal endorsement.

2.3        Finally, Officers are currently preparing preliminary bids for inclusion in the 2011/12 Integrated Transport Programme for Kent. The bids for Maidstone are based on requests that have been received from Members, Parish Councils, this Board, the Borough Council and other representatives groups throughout the year.  The bids will also include resubmission of schemes that have previously not received funding and those that contribute to achieving the objectives set out in Kent's Local Transport Plan.  This year, in response to requests from Members, the Cabinet Member will be changing the policy used to prioritise these schemes.   This is to take on board views received from Members and Officers on the current policy (the Scheme Prioritisation System) and to align with the new objectives in KCC’s Local Transport Plan 3.  The chairmen of the Joint Transportation Boards will be briefed on this revised policy in the next few weeks and a full list of the bids will be brought to the next meeting of this Board.