Agenda and minutes

It was noted that apologies for absence had been received from Councillors Carter, Hotson, Mrs Stockell and Mrs Whittle.

There were no Substitute Members.

The Chairman stated that, in his opinion, the following petitions/reports should be taken as urgent items due to the length of time until the next meeting:

·  The petition for a zebra crossing or a School Crossing Officer at Brunswick House Primary School on Leafy Lane.

·  The report of the KCC Head of Transportation on Armstrong Road, Waiting Restrictions.

It was noted that Councillors Mrs Gooch, Newton, Pickett and Willis were in attendance as observers, and that Councillor Round was in attendance to present a petition.

It was noted that Councillor Mrs Blackmore was in attendance as an observer and to request the inclusion of an item on the agenda of the next meeting of the Board.

There were no disclosures of lobbying by Members or Officers.

There were no disclosures of lobbying.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Meeting held on 21 January 2015 be agreed as a correct record and signed.

A Member requested reference to two additional points not included in the agreed minutes of the meeting held on 21 January 2015. The Chairman and Vice-Chairman agreed to note the following points:

·  It was re-iterated that a transport strategy workshop to be held to receive the detailed findings from the modelling work as it became available would be appreciated.

·  The point was made that more detailed modelling on a Leeds/Langley Bypass option would be necessary before the most suitable route could be identified, if this scheme was required.

1.  Notice has been given pursuant to Council Procedure Rule 11 of the intention to present a petition in the following terms:

We, the users of Headcorn Road, specifically in and around the Grafty Green area and its extension into Lenham and Kings roads,  petition the Kent County Council to impose a 7.5 tonne weight restriction (except for local/authorised traffic) on these roads which are totally unsuitable for heavy goods vehicles.

·  There are very dangerous sections and serious impediments/hazards approaching and near/at Headcorn School and MOREOVER only single track widths at Liverton Hill, Sandway and near Platts Heath school.

·  There are accidents and frequent hold-ups on the single track width sections which are not all signed.

·  A KCC survey in January 2014 indicated total traffic volumes of  8021  light vehicles and 375 HGV’s  in one week which may be reasonable for a standard two lane road  but unacceptable on a narrow road with two schools and single track width sections used by the largest articulated lorries, often Continental.

·  HeadcornRoad  is the only minor moderately DIRECT North/South route from the A20 to the A274 between Willington St and Charing without a restriction.

·  Traffic volumes will increase dramatically as surrounding developments proceed in Harrietsham, Headcorn, Lenham and at the M20 Junction 8.

·  This petition is supported by the Boughton Malherbe, Harrietsham, Headcorn and Ulcombe Parish Councils.

2.  Notice has been given pursuant to Council Procedure Rule 11 of the intention to present a petition in the following terms:

We the undersigned as residents who will be most affected by the congestion, and linked pollution, noise and road safety impacts, arising from Council plans for massive development along the Hermitage Lane corridor in west Maidstone request that the Conservative run Maidstone Borough Council and Kent County Council ensure that:

·  The scale of new housing proposed for our area is reduced to a level appropriate to existing infra-structure and to protect local landscape character and quality of life

·  Extensive areas of high quality green space are protected and new planting is provided to screen and mitigate against noise ,air and light pollution arising from any new development; and

·  State of the art road safety measures accompany any new development (including a safe crossing point at the St. Andrew's Road / Fountain Lane intersection).

Councillor Martin Round presented a petition requesting a weight restriction of 7.5 tonnes to be implemented on Headcorn Road, and the areas in and around Grafty Green, Lenham and Kings Road.

Mrs Lizzie Hare, a resident of the Hermitage Lane area, presented a petition requesting that state of the art road safety measures accompany any new development in the Hermitage Lane Corridor, including the implementation of a safe crossing point at the St. Andrew’s Road / Fountain Lane intersection.

Ms Samantha Barnett, deputy head of Brunswick House Primary School, presented a petition requesting a new zebra crossing on Leafy Lane, a School Crossing Patrol Officer, and measures for the reduction of congestion in the Leafy Lane area.

The petitions were passed to KCC Highways and Transportation and petitioners were advised that updates would be provided at the next meeting of the Board.

Mr Paul Slythe addressed the Board regarding item 15 – Armstrong Road, Waiting Times and requested that further consultation be undertaken with businesses and residents in the area before the proposal to implement double yellow lines along Armstrong Road was progressed.

Councillor Peter Spearink spoke to the Board regarding the Transport Accessibility Group of which he was a member, and explained that this was an advisory group which worked with local authorities and public transport providers in the south Maidstone area.

Mr Michael Heath, KCC Traffic Engineer, presented the Update reports on two petitions received to the previous meeting of the Board.

The Board noted the update on the petition to reduce the existing speed limit on the A20 Ashford Road, Lenham to 40mph and on Faversham Road, Wichling to 30mph.

With regard to the update on the petitions to reduce the existing speed limits on the B2163 through East Farleigh and West Farleigh received from both St Helens Monterssori School and West Farleigh Road Action group, it was stated that a KCC Member would part fund the proposal however further funding would be required.

It was proposed that a 30mph speed reduction be implemented along the East Farleigh section of the B2010, the section west of Teston Lane to join the west of St Helens Lane, and the section of Smiths Hill through to Yalding Hill. This was seconded and agreed by majority vote.

RESOLVED: That KCC Highways be recommended to implement a 30mph speed limit reduction along the East Farleigh section of the B2010, the section west of Teston Lane to join the west of St Helens Lane, and the section of Smiths Hill through to Yalding Hill.

Mr Peter Rosevear, KCC Strategic Transport Planner, introduced the report proposing a study of potential capacity improvements to the A229 Loose Road to include the implementation of minor measures, and the production of design work on identified major improvement schemes. These would be financed by the Local Growth Fund, which provides £800,000 per annum for five years to be used across Kent.

Members asked for the investigation of capacity problems to give particular consideration to be given to improving the one way system and minimising disruption to public transport services.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted, and that the investigation of capacity problems give particular consideration to improving the one way system and minimising disruption to public transport services.

Mr Heath presented the progress report on traffic and safety schemes being progressed by KCC Highways and Transportation.

It was explained that the A229 Running Horse Roundabout was among the worst crash sites in Kent. The minor amendments that had been implemented had created a small reduction in crashes.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

Mr Rosevear provided a verbal update on the progress of the transport strategy modelling and advised the Board that KCC and MBC officers would be meeting to ascertain when the modelling and detailed results would be available.

In response to questions it was clarified that:

·  The Leeds/Langley Bypass would mainly remedy congestion to the east side of the Borough. The Integrated Transport Strategy (ITS) would need to provide for traffic management across the whole Borough.

·  The NPPF placed emphasis on the provision of sustainable and public transport, and this needed to be demonstrated within the ITS.

·  High level modelling had been conducted on urban areas as these were the main areas where congestion occurred. Detailed modelling had also been conducted on specific areas including rural areas where pinch points occurred or where urban congestion had implications for rural areas.

Members requested that dates for a transport strategy workshop be circulated at the earliest opportunity.

RESOLVED: That the verbal report be noted, and that dates for a transport strategy workshop be circulated at the earliest opportunity.

Mr Richard Emmett, KCC Highways District Manager (Maidstone), presented the update report on the identified schemes approved for construction in 2015/16.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

Mr Emmett gave a verbal update regarding Site Visit Fees and advised Members that the previous system had propensity to create wasteful expenditure due to the cost implications of conducting Site Visits which did not then progress on to a completed work. Under the current system fees were assigned to jobs which were then charged to the Members Combined Grant per request.

Mr Emmett welcomed further discussion with Members outside of the Meeting on this issue.

RESOLVED: That the verbal update be noted.

Mr Heath introduced the report which presented proposals to change the waiting restrictions in Armstrong Road, Maidstone, to minimise obstructive on street parking and keep sightlines and accesses clear at junctions.

During discussion the following points were raised:

·  There had been mention made of a petition and several letters that had been submitted in objection to the proposals, however KCC Highways had not received these. Members were in agreement that attempts should be made to locate these in order that these could be considered as new information with regard to the proposals.

·  Local Ward Members stated that they had been consulted on the proposals at Armstrong Road and Enterprise Road however they had not had sight of the plan attached to appendix 2 of the report during the consultation and had not been aware that the double yellow lines were intended to extend the length of Armstrong Road. As such further consultation was requested.

RESOLVED:

1.  That the report be noted.

2.  That KCC Highways be requested to attempt to locate the petition and letters of objection that had been referenced in discussions in order for these to be presented to the Board.

3.  That further consultation on the proposal to change waiting times on Armstrong Road be undertaken to engage with Ward Members, residents and local businesses.

5.00 p.m. to 6.38 p.m.