The
Chairman (Councillor Perry) left the meeting whilst this item and
the following four items were considered. The Vice-Chairman (Councillor English) took the
Chair.
Councillor
Brice presented a petition signed by over 130 people calling for a
safe crossing at Cuckolds Corner, Staplehurst. Councillor Brice explained that the petition had
been organised in response to the latest plans shared by the
Planning Officers relating to the crossroads. The petitioners wanted to see any improvements
made at the crossroads to include the following:
·
Safe pavement widths and wide crossing points for
all pedestrians, including wheelchair users, people using buggies,
etc.;
·
Safe pedestrian crossings at the crossroads as the
current re-positioning of the High Street crossing, away from the
lights, was too close to a blind bend especially having regard to
stopping distances;
·
Extension of the double yellow lines on the
Headcorn Road to stop traffic weaving
in and out of parked cars; and
·
Additional car lanes created only where there is the
required minimum space for a busy A-road with a great deal of
HGV/farm traffic.
Councillor
Brice added that the emerging Local Plan and the Integrated
Transport Strategy identified this crossroads as in need of
improvements, and this should be for the benefit of all residents
of Staplehurst, not just people driving through the village, and
should focus as well on cyclists with the provision of cycling
boxes and cycling lanes.
It was
noted that the petition would be considered in conjunction with the
reports of the Head of Planning and Development relating to
applications 14/505432, 15/507124 and 15/510186 later in the
meeting.