Issue - meetings

Issue for Decision

To consider the revised Maidstone Borough Council responses to the consultation on ‘A new approach to rail passenger services in London and the South East’ and Kent County Council’s Draft Consultation on the New South Eastern Franchise.

Decision Made

1.  That the suggested responses to the prospectus document ‘A New Approach to Rail Passenger Services in London and the South East’, as set out in the report of 8 March 2016, be agreed subject to the inclusion of the points raised by the Committee and noted in the Minutes, and the report be forwarded to Transport for London prior to 18 March 2016.

2.  That the suggested responses to the consultation by Kent County Council on the new Southeastern Franchise be agreed, subject to the inclusion of the points raised by the Committee and noted in the Minutes,  and the document be forwarded to the Principal Transport Planner – Rail at Kent County Council.

The Committee considered the revised Maidstone Borough Council responses to the consultation on ‘A new approach to rail passenger services in London and the South East’ and Kent County Council’s Draft Consultation on the New South Eastern Franchise.  The responses had been revised from the original report to the Committee on 9 February 2016 to clearly state the Council’s priorities for rail transport for the Borough.

Councillors Harper and Boughton addressed the Committee.

The Committee generally agreed the responses were clearer.

During the discussion the Committee asked for the following additions and amendments to be included in the response to the consultation:

·  Question 2 – add – that frequent services from Marden, Staplehurst and Headcorn to Canon Street and Kings Cross be continued and the maintenance of the journey time to less than one hour.

·  In the interests of everyone - stations along the Medway Valley Line be staffed daily from 8am to 5pm.

·  Question 6 – the forth bullet point be move up to become part of the third bullet point to clarify the point made in the third bullet point.

Decision Made

1.  That the suggested responses to the prospectus document ‘A New Approach to Rail Passenger Services in London and the South East’, as set out in the report of 8 March 2016, be agreed subject to the inclusion of the points raised by the Committee and noted in the Minutes, and the report be forwarded to Transport for London prior to 18 March 2016.

Voting:  For – 9  Against – 0  Abstentions - 0

2.  That the suggested responses to the consultation by Kent County Council on the new Southeastern Franchise be agreed, subject to the inclusion of the points raised by the Committee and noted in the Minutes,  and the document be forwarded to the Principal Transport Planner – Rail at Kent County Council.

Voting:  For – 9  Against – 0  Abstentions – 0