minutes

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 13 June 2011 (Minute Nos. 58 - 74) were taken as read, approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

declarations of interest

No interests were declared.

public session

Item 15 - Progress Update

Mr Macdonald, Parish Councillor, spoke on the re-classification of the B2231 to an A road, the A2500. He raised concern that there were serious problems going forward and requested a meeting with the District Manager Swale.

Mr Macdonald also raised concern that resurfacing works were needed at Ferry Road, Harty Road and the back of Delamark Road, Isle of Sheppey. These were not items on the agenda.

In response to a query from a Member, the District Manager Swale agreed to explore whether re-surfacing works at Harty could be extended to include the cycle path.

District Manager Swale

part a minutes for confirmation to cabinet

new staffing arrangements in kent highways and transportation

The Chairman welcomed Mr Alan Blackburn, District Manager Swale to the meeting. The District Manager Swale drew attention to the tabled report which set out recent changes following a restructure of the department and highlighted how Kent Highways and Transportation would continue to focus on working with communities, Councillors and parishes in Swale.

The Chairman advised that details of the new structure for Kent would be published on the website with the minutes.

Democratic Services Officer

progress of the new bridge link (part of the sittingbourne northern relief road (snrr))

The Chairman introduced the information report which provided an update on progress of the new bridge link as part of the Sittingbourne Northern Relief Road.

In response to a query, the Canterbury and Swale District Manager advised that John Farmer (Major Capital Projects Manager, KCC Highways) was the author of the report.

swale metro rail network

County Councillor Mike Whiting, introduced his report which invited Members to discuss a Swale Metro Rail network to contribute to a sustainable transport solution-making more of existing rail assets. He explained that it was an opportunity to look at existing resources which could help to reduce traffic congestion. He stated that it made sense to consider it alongside the Local Development Framework and the 2014 Rail Franchise.

In response to queries from a Member, Mr Whiting stated that it was a Member-led initiative and as such there had been no technical Officer input to the report. He stated there were various funding streams available and he would consider allocating some of his County Member Highway Fund Allocation towards a feasibility study.

Members considered the proposals and made the following comments: would ease parking problems in Chalkwell and St Michaels wards; concerns about how the scheme could be funded; halts such as those at Kemsley would be less expensive than stations; consider re-siting Bobbing station to 1/4 mile from Bobbing Apple so it was not on a hill; explore the possibility of securing Section 106 Agreement funding from further development at The Meads and liaise with bus operators about possibility of introducing triangle bus services which ran more frequently than standard services.

Discussions ensued and some Members welcomed the idea but did not consider they could commit to it at this stage, without the evidence to support whether the scheme would be viable.

The following motion was proposed by County Councillor Ferrin: That the recommendations in the report be removed and that the Swale Joint Transportation Board requests that further investigations be undertaken to establish whether the creation of a Swale Metro Rail Service was feasible and whether the scheme could be taken forward. This was seconded by Councillor Prescott. On being put to the vote the motion was agreed.

queenborough road cul-de-sac, halfway - residents' parking petition

The Engineer introduced the report which advised Members of a residents' petition received requesting installation of numbered parking bays or a gate at the entrance of the cul-de-sac to stop non-residents parking there.

various waiting restrictions

The Engineer introduced the report which considered results of recent consultations carried out in various locations in relation to proposed waiting restrictions.

proposed waiting restrictions

The Highways Officer, KCC, introduced the report which asked Members to consider an objection received following the advertisement of a Traffic Regulation Order to prevent parking on Sonora Way and Jacinth Drive, Sittingbourne.

The Kent Association of Local Councils (KALC) representative raised concern regarding the proposed waiting restrictions in Jacinth Drive and queried how extensive the consultation had been.

highway works programme 2011/2012

Members considered the report which provided an update on the identified schemes approved for construction in 2011/2012.

The Canterbury and Swale District Manager gave an update on the Find and Fix 3 project for Swale. He stated that work, with a total value of around £200k, had been carried out by contractor FM Conway between April and June 2011. The works had involved filling 200 potholes and carrying out 6000 square metres of carriageway patching over 150 roads across the District. A further report, which would give more detailed information about the locations of these sites, would be tabled at the next meeting. Members requested a list of the works that had been completed to be included within the report.

The Canterbury and Swale District Manager agreed to look into why works had not been completed at the Ruins Barn Road/Cromers Road junction and to provide details of the start date for the tender process for technical and street lighting at the junction (Appendix C3).

Swale District Manager

The KALC representative asked that as a crucial junction in relation to future development in Swale any planned improvements at the Stockbury roundabout should be considered as a future agenda item.

Democratic Services Officer

County Councillor Crowther asked that the words (LED) be added after the word scheme (Appendix D3). The Canterbury and Swale District Manager advised that new lighting schemes were also to be introduced in Adisham Green and Taillour Close, Kemsley.

County Councillor Alan Willicombe advised that he had committed £35,500 funding from his Highway Fund Allocation towards a minibus and his total was now £26,096 (Appendix D4).

progress update

Members considered the report which gave an update on the progress made regarding various schemes in the Borough and Officers answered Members' questions. Members considered the report page by page.

100/06/08
The Swale District Manager agreed to forward a written response to Councillor Pat Sandle regarding concerns that the B2231 would only be re-classified as far as the Rowetts Way roundabout. He would also ask the Highway Stewards to re-inspect and remove any unwanted contractor signs left along the Lower Road.

Swale District Manager

110/06/10
In response to queries, the Engineer clarified that the restriction at the layby was on weight limit only so only lorries would be restricted from parking there. He also advised that the signs already erected were advisory and had been installed as an interim measure while the traffic order was being progressed as these had been used successfully elsewhere in Kent.

727/03/11
The KALC representative queried why Officers were spending time on the Southern Relief Road when the Northern Relief Road would not be completed for a further 20 years.

A Member requested that the options for Southern Relief Road be included as an agenda item as soon as possible.

67/06/11
County Councillor Alan Willicombe stated that he would contribute funding to an agreed sensible solution to resolve parking issues in Tunstall. Officers advised that the matter would be progressed once Officers had spoken with the School and Police.

information item - environment, highways and waste policy overview committee report (kcc)

Members considered the report of the Environment, Highways and Waste Policy Overview Committee.

exclusion of the press and public

part a minutes for recommendation to cabinet

swale disabled persons' parking bay scheme - bay installations and removals