minutes

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 8th September 2008 (Minute Nos. 294 - 307) were taken as read, approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record subject to an amendment to reflect that Councillor Mike Cosgrove was present at the meeting and to an amendment to Minute No. 305/08/08.

The amendment to read 'a Member asked why within the Appendix, the Faversham swing bridge was listed as an item within this year's programme, but there was no budget. Given that Faversham Creek was within the Development Plan Document area and Medway Ports had agreed to fund renewing the lock gates, what action was Kent County Council taking to enable the swing bridge to open within this year's programme?'

declarations of interest

No interests were declared.

public session

Mr MacDonald, a local resident, raised concern with the lack of T-bars to distinguish where double yellow line parking restrictions ended, especially with regard to a large parking bay in West Street, Faversham. He explained that that he had also discussed the matter with Faversham Town Council. Mr MacDonald questioned whether the contractors were doing their job correctly and whether enforcement was being carried out where people had parked illegally if the T-bar on the lines was missing as there was no clear definition of where the restrictions ended.

The Head of Environment and Amenities explained that parking issues were Swale Borough Council's (SBC) responsibility and this included maintaining lines. He explained that maintenance schedules should pick up any work that was outstanding and confirmed that Penalty Charge Notices were issued. He was not aware of any problems of enforcement if the T-bar on the lines was missing. He advised that he would look into the matter further after Mr MacDonald forwarded him more details.

Head of Environment and Amenities

Mr Durkin, a local resident, raised concern with regard to the proposed Traffic Regulation Order to add double yellow lines in Preston Avenue/Bramley Avenue, Faversham. He considered the lines were needed on the north side, opposite to the side that was proposed. He advised that parked vehicles made the corner dangerous. He considered that consultation for the scheme should have included the whole of the Apple Estate.

The Head of Environment and Amenities advised that he would consider the issues raised when Agenda Item No. 7 was considered (Minute No. 534)

part a minutes for confirmation

bus services in swale

The Local Bus and Information Manager introduced his report which outlined the current position of bus services in Swale.

A Member highlighted the section 'Schools Transport' and explained that children who went to school in Rainham were unable to return home on the bus as the timetable was not scheduled at a time that was convenient for them when their school day had finished. He explained that a lot of these children travelled by car instead, or walked home, which was not a safe option.

The Member raised concern with the exclusions included in the Kent Freedom Pass which would be rolled out in Swale from January 2009.

A Member proposed that the 327 bus service to Rainham be improved.

A Member requested that the 666 bus service to William Harvey Hospital be extended to include Sundays. The Local Bus and Information Manager understood there was a 666 service, Monday to Friday, to the hospital. On Saturdays this terminated in the town centre and there was no service on Sundays. The Member requested that the service be extended on Saturdays and a service introduced on Sundays. The Local Bus and Information Manager confirmed that he would look into whether this could happen.

Local Bus and Information Manager

A Member explained that the elderly were unable to use their bus passes before 9 am in the morning. This could be inconvenient if someone needed to be on a bus before 9 am for a hospital appointment. He emphasised the need to work with partners and the Primary Care Trust to ensure that accessibility was improved. The Member suggested, under Bus Stop Improvements, that bus operators be encouraged to publish real time information at the bus stops to inform passengers of any delays etc.

The Local Bus and Information Manager explained that further funding would be required if the bus service to Rainham was improved and that extending the use of the Kent Freedom Pass may mean that an additional bus would be required. He explained that discussions into improved accessibility of buses in the Borough were ongoing.

In response to the request for real time information at bus stops, the Transport and Development Manager explained that at the moment there were several different technologies in use by the various bus companies in Swale, which made it difficult to provide a comprehensive system. He did confirm that a text code system was gradually appearing at bus stops to enable passengers to text for further information on their travel plans.

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.

A summary of the responses is set out below:

Page 3 - 193/06/07
A Member expressed concern over the amount of time that this had taken. The Head of Environment and Amenities explained that a log was now kept in the CCTV room at Swale House. He confirmed that he would forward a list to the Member.

Head of Environment and Amenities

Page 3 - 444/09/07
With regard to the single yellow line in High Street, Sheerness, the Head of Environment and Amenities explained that a Traffic Regulation Order was being prepared at the moment and he would confirm if this had been included in it.

Head of Environment and Amenities

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This item complete and can be removed from the chart.

Page 7 - 978/03/08
This item complete and can be removed from the chart.

Page 7 - 984/03/08
A Member confirmed that the short term measures had been implemented.

Page 8 - 98/06/08
The Transport and Development Manager explained that the Section 106 may be on hold for the moment.

Page 10 - 298/09/08
The Community Delivery Manager advised that the Chairman of Swale Seniors Forum had been invited to the meeting.

Page 11 - 300/09/08
The Community Delivery Manager advised that a meeting would be held to discuss outstanding issues on 16th December 2008.

Page 12 - 303/09/08
A Member considered that as the double yellow lines had now been completed on Ashford Road, the situation needed monitoring to ensure the problem did not get displaced elsewhere.

Page 14 - 305/09/08
The Community Delivery Manager confirmed that the funding issue in relation to the Brent Swing Bridge had not been resolved. A meeting was being held on 17th December 2008 to look at the overall traffic management plan and regeneration as a whole in that area.

formal objections to advertised traffic regulation orders

The Head of Environment and Amenities introduced the report which considered formal objections received to Traffic Regulation Orders (TRO) advertised on site, for the installation of waiting restrictions. He made reference to the tabled paper from a resident in Sittingbourne which highlighted issues with regard to the proposed TRO in Wises Lane, Sittingbourne. The resident had raised concern that it was proposed that only one side of Wises Lane had yellow lines; he considered the parking problem would transfer to another part of the road. The Head of Environment and Amenities reported that an email had been received which was generally in support of the scheme.

The Head of Environment and Amenities acknowledged Mr Durkin's comments made earlier in the meeting. He advised that emphasise was on safety on the inside of the bend and the addition of lines there should improve visibility. He reported that following comments made at the initial consultation, further consultation would be held on the proposal to install additional yellow lines on the opposite side of the road.

A Member spoke in support on the yellow lines on one side and appreciated the benefit of having them on both sides. With reference to the proposed lines at Preston Avenue/Canterbury Road junction, the Member believed that cars were parked too close to the junction and would like to see some protection there.

The Head of Environment and Amenities considered there was a balance between displacement of parking problems and safety.

Some Members suggested that it could be helpful to have the location of roads to be considered for TROs shown on a screen.

Head of Environment and Amenities

A proposal for a site visit to include County Members, Borough Councillors, Ward Members, representatives from each group and Parish Councillors was moved and the proposal was won.

Head of Environment and Amenities

various waiting restrictions - results of initial consultations

The Head of Environment and Amenities introduced the report which considered the results of recent consultation exercises carried out in various locations in relation to new waiting restrictions.

A Member commented on the restrictions that had not been recommended for implementation at Springhead Road in Faversham. He suggested that consultation should have been wider to avoid displacement.

sittingbourne residents' parking scheme - results of consultation to extend the scheme area

The Head of Environment and Amenities introduced the report which considered the formal consultation undertaken with residents on the proposed further expansion of the Sittingbourne Residents' Parking Scheme.

A Member considered the two areas under consideration and commented on the displacement that could occur. He suggested that Area one would have more displacement of parking than Area two. In response to a question, the Head of Environment and Amenities confirmed that the results of the survey for the combined areas showed a greater percentage of people in support for the scheme than against it. There had, however, been a lower response rate from Area two; Area one was more effected by the scheme than Area two.

In response to a question, the Head of Environment and Amenities explained that businesses in the area could apply for two parking permits for their use and visitors would be able to park in the area for up to two hours.

sheerness parking review - results of initial consultation

The Head of Environment and Amenities introduced the report which showed the results of the recent consultation with residents in Sheerness with regard to the Parking Review.

A Ward Member expressed disappointment to the responses to the consultation and thanked the work done by Officers.

highway advisory board and environment and regeneration policy overview committee

Members went through the report and highlighted particular issues relevant to Swale.

Safety Cameras

A Member questioned the procedure for requesting a camera to be positioned in a certain area. The Transport and Development Manager advised that this information could be found on the Kent and Medway Safety website. He further advised that it was necessary to put a camera up before a sign was added, not vice-versa.

Progress Report on Major Schemes

The Transport and Development Manager advised that updates on this should be directed via Swale's Liaison Officer.

A Member requested that an agenda item on Highway Adoptions in Swale be added to each agenda.

Democratic Services Officer

schedule of works on gullies and drains

A Member reported that work on gullies in Sheerness had been started and requested that the work now be completed.

Community Delivery Manager

Some Members considered the report was not detailed enough. A Member requested a schedule of planned gully maintenance as he reported it was helpful if Parish Councils were aware of when any maintenance was taking place and it was possible that local people could assist in the location of any hidden drains.

Community Delivery Manager

The Parish Council representative reported that gullies were now to be emptied intelligently via Global Positioning System (GPS).

The Transport and Development Manager explained that a GPS map system would have the technology to allow problem areas to be highlighted and recorded for future maintenance programmes.

highway works programme 2008/2009

The Transport and Development Manager introduced the report which summarised the identified schemes that have been programmed for construction by KHS in 2008/2009.

Members went through the report and highlighted particular areas.

Appendix A

The Transport and Development Manager explained that London Road was being re-surfaced as it was having high friction surface added which could not be added at the same time as the previous re-surfacing.

item submitted for information

integrated transport schemes 2009/10 and 2010/11

The Transport and Development Manager introduced his report which presented the work in progress towards formulating the Integrated Programme bid for 2009/10 and 2010/11. He explained that the amount available for the programme was not known at the moment and that any schemes that were not successful in 2009/10 would be rolled over to 2010/11 for consideration.

In response to a question regarding the progress of the allocation of £50,000 for Swale for disabled access areas, the Transport and Development Manager advised that Members should contact Swale's Liaison Officer.

Members considered that the amount of funding for Swale schemes was disappointing. The Transport and Development Manager advised that a scheme could be considered more favourably if there were a number of issues being tackled within that scheme and that they were integrated measures. In response to a Ward Member's question, he acknowledged that he would look into the status of the crossing on Albany Road.

A Member considered that the scoring on PIPKIN version 3 had changed since the previous versions and leant more towards urban, rather than rural areas.

The Transport and Development Manager explained that the listing was provisional and that Swale had done better than other districts.

Some Members considered that safety was not a high priority within the scheme.

The Transport and Development Manager explained that safety was included within many schemes, and many of those listed in Table One had 'reducing casualties' as an objective.

exclusion of the press and public

part a minutes for confirmation

disabled persons' parking bay applications

disabled persons' parking bay deletions