To: Maidstone Joint Transportation Board
By: KCC Highways, Transportation & Waste
Date: 27th October 2021
Subject: Highways Forward Works Programme: 2021/22 and 2022/23
Classification: Information Only
Summary: This report updates Members on the identified schemes approved for construction
1. Introduction
This report provides an update and summarises schemes that have been programmed for delivery in 2021/22 and 2022/23.
Kent County Council has recently published a forward works programme for the next five years covering planned maintenance of our highway assets. It is in two parts: the first concerns the next two years (2021/22 - 2022/23), and most of the sites included have already been verified by our engineers. The second part relates to years three to five of our five-year programme (2023/24 - 2025/26) and is largely based on data from our asset management systems, so may be subject to more changes as the schemes are verified.
This programme is subject to regular review and may change for several reasons including budget allocation, contract rate changes, and to reflect our changing priorities. The programme and extent of individual sites within the programme may also be revised following engineering assessment during the design phase, and additional sites may be added, or others advanced if their condition deteriorates rapidly so that we need to react to keep the highway in a safe and serviceable condition.
Further information about how we manage our highway infrastructure, including our county-wide five-year forward works programme, may be found on our website:
In addition to planned maintenance of our highway assets, this report includes transportation and safety schemes, developer funded works, Combined Members Grant schemes, and planned maintenance of public rights of way.
Road, Footway & Cycleway Renewal and Preservation Schemes – see Appendix A
Drainage Repairs & Improvements – see Appendix B
Street Lighting – see Appendix C
Transportation and Safety Schemes – see Appendix D
- Casualty Reduction Measures
- Externally funded schemes
Developer Funded Works – see Appendix E
Bridge Works – see Appendix F
Traffic Systems – see Appendix G
Combined Members Grant – Member Highway Fund – see Appendix H
Winter Service – see Appendix I
Conclusion
1. This report is for Members’ information.
Contact Officers:
The following contact officers can be contacted on 03000 418181
Richard Emmett Highway Manager Mid Kent
Susan Laporte Maidstone District Manager
Alan Casson Strategic Asset Manager
Earl Bourner Drainage Asset Manager
Neill Coppin Structures Operations Team Leader
Sue Kinsella Street Light Asset Manager
Toby Butler Traffic & Network Solutions Asset Manager
Jamie Hare Development Agreements Manager
Jamie Watson Schemes Programme Manager
Appendix A – Road, Footway and Cycleway Renewal and Preservation Scheme
The delivery of these schemes is weather dependent; should it prove not possible to carry out these works on the planned dates, new dates will be arranged, and the residents will be informed by a letter drop to their homes.
Machine Resurfacing – Contact Officer Mr Byron Lovell |
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Road Name |
Parish |
Extent of Works |
Current Status |
A274 Sutton Road (Phase 1) |
Maidstone |
Buffkyn Way to west of Willington Street |
Completed. |
A274 Sutton Road (Phase 2) |
Maidstone |
Willington Street to west of St Saviours Road |
Programmed 7th October 2021 |
Footway Improvement - Contact Officer Mr Neil Tree |
|||
Road Name |
Parish |
Extent and Description of Works |
Current Status |
Coombe Road |
Tovil |
Footway Reconstruction Two Sections 1. Old Tovil Rd to Quarry Rd 2. Courtney Rd to o/s No. 72.
|
Commenced on site and on-going. Expected to complete by the beginning of November 2021
|
A20 Ashford Road |
Harrietsham |
Footway Reconstruction Sections from the junction with Church Road to the Junction with Marley Road (Petrol Station)
|
Commenced on site and on-going. Expected to complete by mid-October 2021. |
Heathfield Road |
Penenden Heath |
Footway Protection Treatment Full extent
|
Completed.
|
Hedley Street (including Lucerne) |
Maidstone |
Footway Protection Treatment Full extent
|
Completed. |
Foley Street |
Maidstone |
Footway Protection Treatment Full extent
|
Completed. |
Surface Treatments – Contact Officer Mr Jonathan Dean |
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Road Name |
Parish |
Extent and Description of Works |
Current Status |
MARDEN ROAD |
Staplehurst |
A229 Station Road to west of junction with Clapper Lane (Micro Surfacing) |
Completed |
WILLOW WAY & MOTE AVENUE (INC UPPER ROAD & LOWER ROAD) |
Maidstone |
Square Hill Road to West Park Road (Micro Surfacing) |
Completed |
SANDLING LANE |
Penenden Heath |
Between 40mph terminal to Running Horse Roundabout (Micro Surfacing) |
Completed |
HOWLAND ROAD |
Marden |
Maidstone Road to South Road (Micro Surfacing) |
Completed |
LENHAM ROAD |
Ulcombe |
Chegworth Road to Runham Lane (Micro Surfacing) |
Completed
|
MARLEY ROAD (DICKLEY LANE) |
Lenham |
Marley Works to Steeds Hill (Micro Surfacing) |
Postponed until 2022 |
OLD ASHFORD ROAD |
Lenham |
Lenham Square to A20 Ashford Road (Micro Surfacing) |
Completed |
ASHFORD ROAD (Overbridge near Junction (M20) |
Hollingbourne |
A20 to A20 (Micro Surfacing) |
Completed |
LOWER ROAD |
East Farleigh |
Priory Close to Kettle Corner (Micro Surfacing) |
Completed |
HACKNEY ROAD |
Fant |
From Unicumes Lane to Gatland Lane (Micro Surfacing) |
Completed |
RAYNERS HILL |
Lenham |
A20 to Water Ditch Road (Micro Surfacing) |
Completed |
LEEDS ROAD |
Leeds |
Plough PH crossroads to Horseshoes Lane (Micro Surfacing) |
Completed |
NORTH POLE ROAD |
Barming |
From Heath Road to Red Hill (Micro Surfacing) |
Completed |
NORTH STREET |
Barming |
From Heath Road to A26 Tonbridge Road (Micro Surfacing) |
Completed |
STOCKETT LANE |
Tovil |
From KFRS to Brockingford Lane (Micro Surfacing) |
Completed |
PAGEHURST ROAD |
Staplehurst |
Marden Road to 250m south of j/w Thorn Road (Retread – Road Recycling) |
Completed |
SHERENDEN LANE |
Marden |
Whole length (Wilden Park Road to Goudhurst Road) (Retread – Road Recycling) |
Completed |
TILDEN LANE |
Marden |
Khernfields Farmhouse to Underlyn Lane (Retread – Road Recycling) |
Completed |
GRIGG LANE (PHASE 2) |
Headcorn |
Grigg Farm/Baker Lane to Oak Lane (Retread – Road Recycling) |
Completed |
STILEBRIDGE LANE |
Marden |
Linton Hill to Underlyn Lane (Retread – Road Recycling) |
Completed |
WHITE HOUSE LANE |
Headcorn |
Shenley Road to A274 Biddenden Road (Retread – Road Recycling) |
Completed |
FAVERSHAM ROAD |
Wichling |
Old Lenham Road to Ringlestone Road (Doddington) (Surface Dressing) |
Completed |
ASHFORD ROAD |
Lenham |
Faversham Road to Dickley Lane (Surface Dressing) |
Completed |
SOUTHERNDEN ROAD (INC part of GRIGG LANE) |
Egerton |
Barhams Mill Road to Grigg Farm / Baker Lane (Surface Dressing) |
Completed |
LINTON HILL |
Linton |
Stilebridge Lane (Marden) to Redwall Lane (Surface Dressing) |
Completed |
Drainage Repairs & Improvements - Contact Officer Earl Bourner |
|||
Parish |
Description of Works |
Current Status |
|
Eyhorne/Upper Street/Hollingbourne Hill |
Hollingbourne |
Various repairs to the highway drainage system completed. Further work required to reinstate outfall to pond. |
Further landowner liaison in progress. |
A20 Ashford Rd under rail bridge by Square Hill |
Maidstone |
The existing drainage has been cleaned and surveyed and is working but an improvement scheme is to be developed to reduce risk of blockages and flooding |
Works commenced late August but are incomplete due to encountering services not mapped or found by pre-works surveys. Trial holes were excavated to locate them. Further works required to alter design and then re-visit. |
Harp Farm Road |
Boxley |
Existing soakaway unmaintainable due to location in field. Replacement soakaway(s) to be considered |
Entered onto forward work programme – further assessment required. |
Fairmeadow Subway (near Medway Street) |
Maidstone |
Faulty non-return valve and damaged Aco Channel drainage covers. |
Crew to re attend on 08/10/21 to install stop valve |
Gravelly Bottom Road |
Kingswood |
Multiple defects found in CCTV survey |
Job complete. Cleansing required once pothole blitz works are carried out. |
Lenham Road |
Headcorn |
Ditch overflowing onto carriageway |
Land drainage to be consulted before further works commence. |
Goddington Lane |
Harrietsham |
High volumes of water dispersing from gully and eroding carriageway into stream |
Job Complete |
Buckland Road |
Maidstone |
Natural spring flowing across footway and causing slip hazard for pedestrians |
Job Complete
|
Brishing Lane |
Chart Sutton |
Heavy rainfall causing flooding to elderly resident |
Job Complete – Deep bore successfully installed |
Lenham Road |
Platts Heath |
Heavy rainfall running down carriageway and entering property |
Job Complete |
Copper Lane |
Marden |
Collapsed culvert headwalls |
Job Complete |
Redwall Lane |
Linton |
Collapsed culvert headwall |
Job Complete |
Bonnington Road |
Maidstone |
Locate cause of large void in carriageway |
Awaiting Dynamic Probe results |
Appendix C – Street Lighting
Structural testing of KCC owned streetlights has identified the following as requiring replacement. A status of complete identifies that the column replacement has been carried out. Programme dates are identified for those still requiring replacement.
Street Lighting Column Replacement – Contact Officer Sue Kinsella |
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Road Name |
Column |
Parish |
Description of Works |
Status |
Tonbridge Road |
KTBU022 |
Fant |
Replacement of Street Light |
Completion end January 22 |
Tonbridge Road |
KTBU051 |
Fant |
Replacement of Street Light |
Completion end January 22 |
St Peters Bridge |
KSCE001 |
High Street |
Replacement of Street Light |
Completion end January 22 |
Bicknor Road |
KBCG010 |
North Downs |
Replacement of Street Light |
Completion end January 22 |
Bicknor Road |
KBCG012 |
North Downs |
Replacement of Street Light |
Completion end January 22 |
Sutton Road |
KSGF007 |
Shepway South |
Replacement of Street Light |
Completion end January 22 |
Station Road |
KSFA021 |
Staplehurst |
Replacement of Street Light |
Completion end January 22 |
Rawdon Road |
KRAD001 |
High Street |
Replacement of Street Light |
Completion end January 22 |
Thornhill Place |
KTBG002 |
North |
Replacement of Street Light |
Completion end January 22 |
Farleigh Hill |
KFAH002 |
South |
Replacement of Street Light |
Completion end January 22 |
King Street |
KKAM013 |
High Street |
Replacement of Street Light |
Completion end January 22 |
Loose Road |
KLCQ055 |
South |
Replacement of Street Light |
Completion end January 22 |
Brishing Lane |
KBFE010 |
Park Wood |
Replacement of Street Light |
Completion end January 22 |
Straw Mill Hill |
TSAS016 |
South |
Replacement of Street Light |
Completion end January 22 |
Ashford Rd |
KABR032 |
Boxley |
Replacement Street Light |
Completion end Jan 22 |
Ashdown Close |
KABI001 |
Heath |
Replacement Street Light |
Completion end January 22 |
Ashford Road |
KABQ005 |
Boxley |
Replacement Street Light |
Completion end January 22 |
Ashford Road |
KABQ007 |
Boxley |
Replacement Street Light |
Completion end January 22 |
Ashford Road |
KABQ008 |
Boxley |
Replacement Street Light |
Completion end January 22 |
Ashford Road |
KABQ009 |
Boxley |
Replacement Street Light |
Completion end January 22 |
Ashford Road |
KABQ013 |
Boxley |
Replacement Street Light |
Completion end January 22 |
Ashford Road |
KABQ014 |
Boxley |
Replacement Street Light |
Completion end January 22 |
Ashford Road |
KABQ017 |
Boxley |
Replacement Street Light |
Completion end January 22 |
Ashford Road |
KABQ019 |
Boxley |
Replacement Street Light |
Completion end January 22 |
Ashford Road |
KABR032 |
Boxley |
Replacement Street Light |
Completion end January 22 |
Badger Road |
KBAF108 |
Boxley |
Replacement Street Light |
Completion end January 22 |
Berwyn Grove |
KBCB006 |
South |
Replacement Street Light |
Completion end January 22 |
Bicknor Road |
KBCG032 |
North Downs |
Replacement Street Light |
Completion end January 22 |
Bicknor Road |
KBCG033 |
North Downs |
Replacement Street Light |
Completion end January 22 |
Brownelow Copse |
KBHO005 |
Boxley |
Replacement Street Light |
Completion end January 22 |
Faversham Road |
KFAQ007 |
Harrietsham |
Replacement Street Light |
Completion end January 22 |
Foxden Drive |
KFCL006 |
Downswood |
Replacement Street Light |
Completion end January 22 |
Goudhurst Close |
KGBB002 |
Bridge |
Replacement Street Light |
Completion end January 22 |
John Street |
KJAG003 |
North |
Replacement Street Light |
Completion end January 22 |
Old Ashford Road |
KOAG011 |
Harrietsham |
Replacement Street Light |
Completion end January 22 |
Old Ashford Road |
KOAG012 |
Harrietsham |
Replacement Street Light |
Completion end January 22 |
Palmar Road |
KPAF001 |
Bridge |
Replacement Street Light |
Completion end January 22 |
Pennine Way |
KPDT007 |
Downswood |
Replacement Street Light |
Completion end January 22 |
Perryfield Street |
KPBE004 |
North |
Replacement Street Light |
Completion end January 22 |
Podkin Wood |
KPDM004 |
Boxley |
Replacement Street Light |
Completion end January 22 |
Raymer Road |
KRAE003 |
North |
Replacement Street Light |
Completion end January 22 |
Redsells Close |
KRCM001 |
Downswood |
Replacement Street Light |
Completion end January 22 |
Redsells Close |
KRCM004 |
Downswood |
Replacement Street Light |
Completion end January 22 |
Rushmead Drive |
KRCB002 |
South |
Replacement Street Light |
Completion end January 22 |
Sevington Park |
KSBA005 |
South |
Replacement Street Light |
Completion end January 22 |
Station Road |
KSFA025 |
Staplehurst |
Replacement Street Light |
Completion end January 22 |
Tonbridge Road |
KTBU010 |
Fant |
Replacement Street Light |
Completion end January 22 |
Tonbridge Road |
KTBU015 |
Fant |
Replacement Street Light |
Completion end January 22 |
Tonbridge Road |
KTBU019 |
Fant |
Replacement Street Light |
Completion end January 22 |
Tonbridge Road |
KTBU025 |
Fant |
Replacement Street Light |
Completion end January 22 |
Watersmeet Close |
KWFR001 |
South |
Replacement Street Light |
Completion end January 22 |
Appendix D – Transportation and Safety Schemes
Casualty Reduction Measures
The Schemes Planning & Delivery team is implementing schemes within Maidstone Borough, to meet Kent County Council’s strategic targets (for example, addressing traffic congestion or improving road safety). Casualty reduction measures have been identified to address a known history of personal injury crashes. Current status correct as of 21/9/21.
Location |
Parish |
Description of Works |
Lead officer |
Current Status |
Running Horse Roundabout |
Maidstone |
Virtual lane separation system using road markings & coloured surfacing |
Christopher Koningen |
Traffic modelling completed, showing a reduction in congestion if the scheme is implemented as proposed.
Funding needs to be sought to enable construction in the 22/23 financial year. This is ongoing, and once the required budget is secured the detailed design and appropriate stakeholder liaison will be carried out. |
Tonbridge Road junction Westree Road |
Maidstone |
Signing and lining improvements |
Claire Venner |
Although scheme complete, there are still issues with 2 signs which are being addressed |
Fairmeadow/Staceys Street Roundabout |
Maidstone |
Signing and lining improvements |
Jennie Watson |
Works to be carried out be developer as part of their S278 Agreement works |
Linton Hill/Stilebridge Lane |
Maidstone |
New junction layout |
Jennie Watson |
Scheme handed over to contractor and due for construction November/ December 2021 |
Royal Engineers Roundabout |
Maidstone |
Lining improvements |
Jennie Watson |
Scheme handed over to contractor and due to be completed by December 2021 |
A20 Hollingbourne |
Hollingbourne |
New clearway signs |
Jennie Watson |
Scheme handed over to contractor and to be completed on site December 2021/January 2022 dependant on road space. |
Eyhorne Road – Outside Primary School |
Hollingbourne |
Introduction of 20mph |
Jennie Watson |
Scheme handed over to contractor and to be completed on site by December 2021 |
APPENDIX D2 – INTEGRATED TRANSPORT SCHEMES – all other LTP funded non-casualty reduction schemes
Location |
Parish |
Description of Works |
Lead officer |
Current Status |
Walderslade Woods |
Boxley |
Reduction of speed limit to 50mph and associated traffic calming measures |
Jennie Watson |
Works complete. Scheme review to take place. |
A229 Cranbrook Road/High Street |
Staplehurst |
Virtual Traffic Calming Scheme |
Demi Richards |
Works complete |
Pheasant Lane |
Maidstone |
Improvements to encourage cycling – vegetation clearance and signage works. |
Paul Leary |
Works complete. |
Buckland Hill |
Maidstone |
New Zebra Crossing |
Jennie Watson |
Currently at design stage. Scheme due to be handed over to contractor November 2021 and to be completed by April 2022 |
Hart Street/Barker Road |
Maidstone |
Experimental Traffic Regulation Order for One-Way System |
Jennie Watson |
Currently exploring options for a long-term permanent solution and utilising Network Rail and Southeastern Rail land. Stage 1 Road Safety Audit to be carried out before KCC can share proposals in the public realm. A detailed update will be provided at the next JTB meeting in January 2022 |
PROW KB18 North of Maidstone Hospital |
Maidstone |
Upgrading of route to allow cycling and improve wayfinding signs. |
Jennie Watson |
Currently at design stage. Scheme due to be handed over to contractor November 2021 and scheme due for construction early 2022 |
APPENDIX D3 – LOCAL GROWTH FUND
Local Growth Fund programme update for the Maidstone Borough.
The Department for Transport (DfT) added £100m to the Local Growth Fund (LGF) pot to fund Local Sustainable Transport Fund Style schemes. KCC subsequently submitted four Local Sustainable Transport Fund (LSTF) capital bids 1) East Kent – A network for Growth, 2) Kent Thameside – Integrated door-to-door journeys and 3) West Kent – Tackling Congestion. The fourth was for Tonbridge Town Centre Regeneration, which included a highway improvements scheme in the Lower High Street as well as additional LSTF style measures. The objective of all the capital bids is to boost economic growth by decreasing carbon emissions and reducing congestion.
The Kent Thameside, West Kent and Tonbridge Town Centre Regeneration bids were all successful. The schemes aim to:
· improve access to employment and services
· reduce the need to travel by the private car
· enhance pedestrian, cycle, and public transport facilities
· improve sustainable transport connections
The following schemes have been submitted as part of the successful West Kent – Tackling Congestion bid.
Location |
Parish |
Description of Works |
Lead officer |
Current Status |
Week Street junction with Station Road |
Maidstone |
A highway improvement consisting of a raised table and improvements to 2 pedestrian crossings to better link Week Street to Maidstone East Rail Station |
Alan Osuoha
|
Works complete |
MAIDSTONE EAST STATION IMPROVEMENTS |
Maidstone |
STATION IMPROVEMENTS |
Annette Bonner |
Works on the station improvements commenced in January 2020, with the temporary ticket office installed by Southeastern operational since January 2020. Contract Completion date had been delayed due to emerging changes to designs in some areas and working restrictions due to COVID 19 with an estimated completion of July 2021. While works on the public realm were progressing, restrictions on internal works in the station building necessitate different working practices, creating inefficiency and slowing progress. KCC Schemes team worked closely with NR, SE, and MBC to co-ordinate the highway & forecourt design with the raised table. MBC have completed the wayfinding design which tied in with the wider improvement works. Forecourt works are complete, and planting will take place in October (planting season). NR have completed their handover to SE for the improvement works to begin on the access (Barracks side of the station). WBP have been appointed and works are planned to start in October 2021 with a December completion date. A launch event is being planned for October 2021. |
Appendix E – Developer Funded Works
Section 106 Schemes
|
||||
File Ref. |
Road Name |
Parish |
Description of Works |
Current Status |
S106-MA-819 |
Linton Crossroads |
Linton/Loose |
Junction/signal upgrade |
KCC investigating how any funding gap can be dealt with. At present there is not a programme for construction. |
S106-MA-1104 |
Hermitage Lane |
Maidstone |
Cycleway improvements between rail station and hospital on east side |
Croudace development for 330 homes off Hermitage Lane if planning permission is to be granted will deliver via a S278 the section between the train station and Chapelfield Way. The remaining section to the hospital may well also be funded by a S106 agreement with Croudace. |
Parish Council Funded Schemes |
||||
File Ref. |
Road Name |
Parish |
Description of Works |
Current Status |
2021-EXT-MA-1232
|
Linton Hill |
Linton |
Traffic Calming Scheme |
Works complete |
2021-CMG-MA-1252
|
Village Centre |
Boughton Monchelsea |
20mph scheme |
Works complete
|
2021-EXT-MA-1000
|
Grafty Green |
Boughton Malherbe |
Traffic Calming Scheme |
Works complete
|
2122-EXT-MA-3001 |
A249 Detling Hill |
Detling |
Extension of 50mph speed limit |
TRO has been advertised. Scheme is due to be handed over to the contractor in October 2021. Works anticipated to be carried out December 2021/January 2022 under lane closures dependant on workspace. |
Appendix F – Bridge Works
Bridge Works – Contact Officer Neill Coppin
|
|||
Road Name |
Parish |
Description of Works |
Current Status |
A20 Maidstone Road |
Maidstone |
Raigersfield East Bridge (180m west of Willington Street junction), strengthening / renewal of bridge. Works will not affect traffic flow. |
Completion expected End of September 2021 |
Appendix G – Traffic Systems
There is a programme of scheduled maintenance to refurbish life expired traffic signal equipment across the county based upon age and fault history. The delivery of these schemes is dependent upon school terms and holiday periods; residents, businesses and schools will be informed verbally and by a letter drop of the exact dates when known.
Traffic Systems - Contact Officer: Toby Butler
|
||
Location |
Description of Works |
Current Status |
A249 Bearsted Road near Hampton Road, Maidstone |
Renewal and upgrade of signal controller crossing |
Completed August 2021 |
A299 Palace Avenue near Gabriels Hill, Maidstone |
Renewal and upgrade of signal controller crossing |
Proposed September 2021 |
Appendix H - Combined Members Grant programme update
Member Highway Fund programme update for the Maidstone Borough
The following schemes are those, which have been approved for funding by both the relevant Member and by Simon Jones, Director of Highways, Transportation and Waste. The list only includes schemes, which are
· in design
· at consultation stage
· about to be programmed
· recently completed on site.
The list is up to date as of 21/09/21.
The details given below are for highway projects only. This report does not detail
· contributions Members have made to other groups such as parish councils
· highway studies
· traffic/ non-motorised user surveys funded by Members.
More information on the schemes listed below can be found by contacting the District Manager for the Maidstone Borough, Susan Laporte.
Dan Daley
Details of Scheme |
Status |
2021-CMG-MA-1001 – Buckland Hill, Maidstone
20mph scheme
|
Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) has been sealed – Scheme currently at design stage. Works to install associated signs and roundels to be carried out early 2022 in conjunction with new zebra crossing (LTP Scheme) |
Shellina Prendergast
Details of Scheme |
Status |
20/21-CMG-MA-1003 – Shenley Road, Headcorn
Installation of pedestrian warning signs
|
Works complete |
2021-CMG-MA-08 – Upper Street, Hollingbourne
Gateway to village to be enhanced
|
Works complete |
Appendix I – Winter Service
To: Maidstone Joint Transportation Board
By: Andrew Loosemore – Head of Highway Asset Management
Date: 27 October 2021
Subject: Local Winter Service Plan
Classification: Information only
Summary: This report outlines the arrangements that have been made between Kent County Council and Maidstone Borough Council to provide a local winter service in the event of an operational snow alert in the borough/district
- Introduction
1 (1) Kent County Council Highways, Transportation & Waste (KCC HTW) takes its winter service responsibilities very seriously and is proactive as well as reactive to winter weather conditions. Winter service costs KCC in the region of £3,498,800.m every winter and needs careful management to achieve safety for the travelling public and to be efficient. The Highways Operations teams in HTW work to ensure that the winter service standards and decisions made are consistent across the whole county.
1(2) HTW prepares an annual Winter Service policy and plan which are used to determine actions that will be taken to manage its winter service operations. The policy was presented to the Environment and Transport Cabinet Committee on 8th September 2021 and subsequently approved by the Cabinet Member.
- District based winter service plans
2(1) The Local Winter Service Plan for the Maidstone District is a working document which will evolve and be revised as necessary throughout the year. This document complements the KCC Winter Service Policy and Plan 2021/22; the Policy is available on the KCC website.
2(2) Following successful work in previous years with district councils, arrangements have again been put in place this year whereby labour from district councils can be used during snow days. Additionally, HTW will supply a quantity of a salt/sand mixture to district councils to use on the highway network. The details are contained in the plan which enhances the work that HTW will continue to do in providing a countywide winter service. The local plan comes into effect when a snow emergency is declared that affects the district of Maidstone.
- Pavement clearance
3 (3) Areas for clearing pavements have been identified in the local plan. These are the areas where local knowledge has indicated that people are concerned and would most like to be kept clear when there is snow and ice.
- Farmers
4(1) The work that our contracted farmers have done in recent years is greatly appreciated and has made a big difference in keeping rural areas clear on snow days. Again, this year farmers will have predetermined local routes and will use their own tractor and KCC ploughs for clearing snow. The ploughs supplied are serviced by KCC each year. Each farmer will have plans detailing the roads that that they are responsible for ploughing. When snow reaches a depth of 50mm on roads in their areas the farmers will commence ploughing notifying KCC as agreed in their contract. A list of farmers and their contact details can be found in the local plan, (although some personal information will not be available via this report or the website due to General Data Protection Regulations).
5. Conclusion
5(1) Working in partnership with the district councils will enable HTW to provide an effective winter service across the county.
6. Recommendations
6(1) Members are asked to note this report.
______________________________________________________________
Background documents:
Kent County Council Winter Service Policy and Plan 2021/22
Contact officer: Susan Laporte, District Manager, Maidstone
Tel: 03000 41 81 81
Legal Implications
1.1.1 Not applicable.
1.2 Financial and Value for Money Considerations
1.2.1 Not applicable.
1.3 Risk Assessment
1.3.1 Not applicable.
Contacts: Richard Emmett/ Susan Laporte 03000 418181