election of chairman

election of vice-chairman

minutes

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 16th March 2009 (Minute Nos. 740 - 756) were taken as read, approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

With reference to Minute No. 751/03/09 (Highway Advisory Board), a Member sought clarification on car parking standards set up to enable the planning of adequate and properly laid out parking in residential developments.

The Transport and Development Business Manager explained that he had written the report, which had been adopted by Kent County Council (KCC). He advised the report had been evidence based and the exact figures of minimum or maximum car parking standards were determined individually on each site. He explained that the report had been finalised in November 2008 and had been circulated to Planning Officers throughout the District.

declarations of interest

No interests were declared.

public session

Mr Harris, a local resident, raised concern that the proposal to install double yellow lines on the north side of Stanhope Avenue, Sittingbourne would create unnecessary unfairness. He acknowledged that there would be further consultation on the proposals as stated in item 12 in the report.

Mr Forsyth, a local resident, was unable to attend the meeting but had submitted a written representation raising concern over closure of some Faversham town centre streets on market days; Tuesday and Fridays. The Head of Environment and Amenities explained that it had been the agreement of the Swale Joint Transportation Board to look at a traffic management scheme for Faversham, but this did not involve road closure. He confirmed that the only total closure of the town centre was on a Saturday. The scheme had progressed as far as it could, without further survey work which was reliant on additional funding.

Mr Macdonald (Minster Parish Council) raised concern that there had been no progress to re-instate the B2231 as an 'A' road.

The Chairman suggested that the Transport and Development Business Manager updated parish Councils along the route of the B2231.

Transport and Development Business Manager

Mr Macdonald raised concern with the amount of money that had been spent on consultants with regard to the Sittingbourne Northern Relief Road, and that it had not been good value for money. He welcomed the project, but suggested that care was needed so that Sittingbourne did not become a backwater. The Chairman advised that all major contracts were put out to tender and that the tender which was most value for money would have been selected.

A Kent County Councillor advised that, at the public enquiry, the Inspector had been in favour of the scheme. The Chairman suggested that if Mr Macdonald had any further questions, he contacted a Member of the Board or an Officer directly.

The Chairman acknowledged a petition that had been received from residents of Honeysuckle Court. They had requested the removal of some grass verge to enable more parking to be available for residents. The petition was handed to the Head of Environment and Amenities and a report would be submitted to the next meeting of the Board on 7th September 2009.

Head of Environment and Amenities.

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 suggested that it may be clearer if dates were added to the table to show when schemes in the report were due to be re-considered.

A summary of the responses is set out below:

Page 1 - 185/06/07

A Member questioned when there would be progress on the long stay car parks. The Head of Environment and Amenities reported that they would be considered presently, at the same time that additional parking capacity in the Preston Grove area was to be explored.

Page 3 - 977/03/08

A Member queried the dates that were mentioned on this item. The Transport and Development Business Manager suggested that the dates were inaccurate and confirmed that schemes were brought forward year on year.

Page 5 - 104/06/08

The Kent Association of Local Councils representative raised concern that yellow lines had not yet been painted on West Lane, Sittingbourne and that there was a problem placing the cones as commuters parked there early in the morning. The Engineer explained that he would place the cones in position himself, early one morning.

The Kent Association of Local Councils representative stated that he was not happy with the work that had been done at Oad Street, Borden. The Transport and Development Business Manager confirmed that he would look into the matter and report back to Borden Parish Council.

Transport and Development Business Manager

Page 6 - 300/09/08

The Head of Environment and Amenities tabled a paper that highlighted current highway related CCTV camera obstructions which were being followed up with KHS.

Page 7 - 305/09/08

In response to a question, the Transport and Development Business Manager confirmed that he would follow up progress with the white lining on Canute Road, Faversham.

Transport and Development Business Manager

With reference to the Brent Swing Bridge, the Community Delivery Team Leader reported that it had been resurfaced in 2008 and a viable scheme was awaited to repair the bridge. The Head of Environment and Amenities confirmed that the bridge could be lifted, but it had not been swung.

Page10 - 746/03/09

The Community Delivery Team Leader explained that some of the trees on Abbey Street, Faversham would be removed in November 2009 and replacement trees would be planted shortly afterwards.

The Chairman reminded the Board that the Progress Update was a way of prompting members of the Board to contact KCC or SBC on any issues that were outstanding.

highway works programme 2009/2010

With reference to Appendix C1 in the report, a Kent County Councillor raised concern with the inclusion of a traffic management scheme in Borden. He advised that the consultation document had stated the scheme originated from Borden Parish Council, but he explained that this was not the case as the scheme was not wanted by the Parish Council.

The Transport and Development Business Manager confirmed that he would follow this up.

Transport and Development Business Manager

A Ward Member considered that the scheme proposed at Priory Row, Davington was not sufficient for what was required. He advised that residents wanted to be consulted on what scheme they considered was needed to be put in place and he stressed urgency for measures to be taken to make the area near the school safer.

In response to a question, a Member explained that the concept had to be in place before consultation went ahead.

The Transport and Development Business Manager confirmed that he would find out when the residents would be consulted.

Transport and Development Business Manager

highway drainage

The Chairman stated that the report did not contain the information that the Board had requested. He explained that rather than protocols, the Board wanted to see what work had been done on gully maintenance in Swale.

The Community Delivery Team Manager reported that some gullies had been cleared. In response to a question, he explained that gullies were often located when there were flooding incidents. Some members of the Board raised concern that gullies were not located until flooding occurred. Members explained that if they knew when the team were coming to their area, they may be able to help locate gullies.

The Community Delivery Team Manager confirmed that he would provide a schedule of works on gully clearing in Swale to the next meeting of the Board.

Community Delivery Team Manager

sittingbourne northern relief road

There was no discussion on this item.

review of methods to decrease the speed of traffic along the a2, preston village, faversham

The Transport and Development Business Manager introduced the report which reviewed methods of decreasing the speed of traffic along the A2 at Preston Village, Faversham. He explained that a 30 mph speed limit would not be effective as it could not be enforced.

A Ward Member welcomed the report.

waiting restrictions - various locations

The Engineer introduced the report which considered the results of recent consultation carried out in various locations in relation to new waiting restrictions and provided an update on other planned restrictions. He explained that he would like to re-consult on a scheme for waiting restrictions on Church Farm Road/Forge Lane.

The Engineer confirmed that he was waiting to hear further information on alternative parking options at Salters Lane, Faversham. He explained that if the area of restrictions was extended, this would need further consultation.

Some Members raised concern that waiting restrictions were not enforced. The Head of Environment and Amenities confirmed that Civil Enforcement Officers would issue parking tickets whenever a contravention of the restrictions was observed.

A Member considered that the proposed restrictions at the exit of the Millfield estate in Faversham needed to be longer to improve the sight lines at the junction. The Head of Environment and Amenities advised that as there had been no objection to the planned scheme, that the order be made and that any further changes be included in the review of parking in Faversham.

highway advisory board

With reference to item 4.1 in the report, the Community Delivery Team Leader confirmed that the 8,100 mercury streetlights were ones owned by KCC.

ospringe primary school

The Transport and Development Business Manager introduced the report which outlined the investigation to adopt long term measures to deal with traffic problems at school times outside Ospringe Primary School. He advised there had been no serious personal injury and stressed the importance of influencing the behaviour of drivers. He reported that there was nothing tangible that could be done and that it was important to enforce restrictions that were already in place.

A Ward Member outlined measures that had been taken to reduce the traffic problems that occurred. She confirmed the school had a Travel Plan and the Transport and Development Business Manager suggested that the plan be looked into further.

allocation of funding for disabled access areas

The Chairman brought the tabled paper to the attention of the Board which detailed the programme of dropped kerb work that had been undertaken.

A County Member explained that the £50,000 allotted had been for Sittingbourne only. The funding had been allocated with the assistance of the Disability Reference Panel and the scheme had been part of a programme of work undertaken in Kent. There were no plans to widen the area of work that had been carried out and there was no follow-up programme. He advised that the cost of putting in a dropped kerb was about £500.

exclusion of the press and public

part a minutes for confirmation

disabled persons parking bay scheme - bay installations

disabled persons parking bay scheme - bay deletions