minutes

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 15th December 2008 (Minute Nos. 529 - 545) were taken as read, approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

With reference to Minute No. 539/12/08 (Schedule of Works on Gullies and Drains), a Member reported that a schedule of planned gully maintenance had not yet been provided. The Member requested that the item be added to the Progress Update list. The Community Delivery Manager advised that she would look into what progress had been made in providing the list to Members.

Democratic Services Officer
Community Delivery Manager

declarations of interest

No interests were declared.

order of business

The Chairman altered the Order of Business as minuted.

public session

Mrs Martin, a local resident, raised concern with the speed of vehicles along the A2, Canterbury Road in Faversham, in the Preston Area. She suggested that more 30 mph signs were needed from the Mall to that stretch of road. She outlined various accidents that had occurred. Mrs Martin advised that she had collected 400 signatures on a petition which she would forward to the local Member of Parliament. She requested that speed indicator signs be put up and designated parking provided for the cars that parked on the road near the Salters Lane junction. Mrs Martin further advised that cars presently parked on the A2 helped to slow vehicles down.

Mr Wells, a local resident, advised that young children lived in some of the houses near the A2. He suggested that if double yellow lines were added to the junction of Salters Lane, it would reduce the parking that was available to the local residents. He advised that there had been an increase in the amount of heavy goods vehicles using the A2 in the last six months and suggested that a speed survey be carried out.

A Member advised that the problem occurred both at the junction of Salters Lane and the junction of Westwood Place, where local residents often found it difficult to exit onto the A2 because of the speed of traffic. He suggested that the problem was increased due to the nearby amenity site which added to the problems at the Salters Lane junction. He considered the whole area needed to be looked at, including where residents would park if they could no longer park near the junction. He suggested that lorries from the amenity site could use the local depot site for access onto the A2 and that interactive signs and a speed survey were needed.

Discussion ensued on the problems in the area including the large vehicles that drove along the A2, speeding cars and the road layout. Suggestions of alternative parking areas on Salters Lane were made.

The Head of Environment and Amenities advised that it could be possible to look into alternative parking areas along Salters Lane.

Mr Peter Macdonald (Minster Parish Council) raised concern with the progress of the re-classification of the B2231 (Lower Road) as an extension of the A250.

The Community Delivery Manager explained that some work had been carried out; she confirmed that she would forward further information to Mr Macdonald.

Community Delivery Manager

part a minutes for confirmation

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.

The Chairman highlighted the items in the report that should have been deleted, as follows:

715/12/07 - Faversham Parking Review
974/03/08 - Traffic Regulation Orders
298/09/08 - Public Session
301/09/08 - Sheerness Parking Review
303/09/08 - Proposed Amendments to Parking Restrictions

A summary of the responses is set out below:

Page 3 - 193/06/03 and Page 9 - 300/09/08
A Member explained that she had not received a list of any outstanding highway related issues with regard to obstruction of CCTV camera visibility. The Head of Environment and Amenities explained that all issues had been resolved and there were no outstanding items. He confirmed that he would forward a list to the Member. The item could be deleted from the list.

Head of Environment and Amenities
Democratic Services Officer

Page 6 - 984/03/08
A Member queried the progress that had been made with regard to the short term measures that had been proposed. The Community Delivery Manager responded by saying that she would look into progress of the planned measures.

Community Delivery Manager

Page 9 - 298/09/08
The Community Delivery Manager confirmed that she would forward the written response to Mr Morgan, to Members.

Community Delivery Manager

swale transport strategy update

The Board considered the report which provided an update of work undertaken during the 2008-2009 financial year to support the delivery of the Transport Strategy.

Members welcomed the report and the progress that had been made and the work that had been achieved by SBC and its partners and the funding that had been secured.

Members went through the annexes of the report page by page, during which the Project Manager answered their questions.

The Project Manager confirmed that he would action the following:

Highway Network - Major Projects
A2/M2 Link - in response for more information on this, the Project Manager explained that no work had been carried out on this project this year and its economic and strategic justification was being looked into.

A251 Faversham to Ashford - the Project Manager confirmed that speed limit signs, re-surfacing and white-lining had been implemented.

M2, Junction 5 - the Project Manager reported that SBC, KCC and the Highways Agency would examine the options available, and their benefits, in May 2009.

A2 Corridor - reduction of traffic impact - the Project Manager explained that the recommendations from the Green Street study were being explored in order to take the project forward. There would be a meeting on 3rd April 2009 to look at the next steps.

Public Transport - Buses
In response to a question regarding integrated bus services not including satellite villages, the Project Manager explained that this was not always possible if demand was low.

The Kent Association of Local Councils representative raised concern that travel cards for the elderly were not allowed to be used on all bus services.

A Member advised that a mini bus service had been offered to some parishes where the post bus service had been withdrawn.

A Member queried the progress of the plan to move the bus stop in Bysingwood Road and the Project Manager confirmed that he would look into this.

Local Transport Plan Schemes
Broadway/Marine Parade and Richmond Street, Sheerness - the Project Manager would find out, from KHS, the delivery timetable and provide a copy for all Members of the Board.

A251 - the Project Manager confirmed that he would provide an update on the improvements that had been made.

Tonge Road - the Project Manager confirmed that he would find out when the project would be implemented.

RECOMMENDED:
(1) That the report be noted and the Project Manager takes forward the points raised.

Project Manager

trees on abbey street, faversham

Members' attention was brought to the to-follow report for this item. A Member thanked KCC for their response to the issues that had been raised with reference to repairs to tarmac that was needed where tree roots had become overgrown on Abbey Street. The Member outlined the history of the trees on Abbey Street and reported that they had been planted in the1960's. Some of the trees had become very large, with long roots. He explained that the houses in the street were very old, with small windows, and the trees blocked out light to the houses. Some trees had been taken up and he suggested that the local residents be consulted to see whether they wanted them to be replaced.

A Member reported that the trees had been the subject of controversy for many years and suggested that the trees could be placed wider apart in more suitable places.

The Community Delivery Manager explained that there were various interested parties who would be consulted on the future of the trees and agree a maintenance plan.

works progress 2008/2009 update

The Chairman explained that some of the items in the report were not relevant to Swale.

various waiting restrictions

The Board considered the report of the results of recent consultation carried out in various locations in relation to new waiting restrictions and provided an update on other planned restrictions.

integrated transport schemes

The Chairman advised that some of the items in the report were not relevant to Swale.

Members went through the appendices of the report page by page during which the Local Transport and Development Manager answered their questions.

The Local Transport and Development Manager advised that he would update the Board on the progress of schemes SWA15 (Marine Parade/Richmond Street) and SWA20 (Priory Row, Davington - Safer Routes to School). He advised that the Lynsted Footway had not scored a very high PIPKIN rank and he confirmed that it was hoped that funding would be found elsewhere.

The Local Transport and Development Manager advised that the system used to prioritise schemes was being reviewed and he would forward details to the Board when the system that was going to be used was available.

Local Transport and Development Manager

enforcement of motorcycle patrols - one year pilot scheme

The Board welcomed the report which outlined details of a one-year motorcycle enforcement pilot scheme to reduce the problems caused by parking outside schools.

highway advisory board

With regard to the item on concrete roads, the Chairman advised that Swale would be included in the assessment of concrete roads next year.

With regard to the Kent Design Guide, a Member requested clarification on the parking issues raised in section (3) on page 19 of the report. The Community Delivery Manager agreed to forward clarification to the Board.

Community Delivery Manager

the broadway, minster

The Board considered the report for a request to investigate the speed limit on The Broadway, Minster.

the broadway, minster

The Board considered the report for a request to install waiting restrictions in The Broadway, Minster.

petition received

The Board considered a report in response to a petition received from residents in Rock Road, Burley Road and Epps Road, Sittingbourne objecting to the increase in charges for residents parking permits.

Members raised the following issues: that residents were against the increase within one year of the scheme being implemented and that residents had requested another survey. A Ward Member questioned the type of questions that would be asked on the new survey and when it would be carried out.

The Head of Environment and Amenities advised that the survey would normally be carried out within six months of the scheme being implemented. He reported that the questions asked would include 'how effective was the scheme working, such as marking out of bays'. He further advised that there would be an additional section for any further comments by residents. He stated that the charge currently in place was the same throughout the Borough and that the scheme ran from Mondays to Saturdays.

A Member suggested that future increases matched inflation and were applied annually.

exclusion of the press and public

part a minutes for confirmation

disabled person's parking bay applications