minutes

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 7th September 2009 (Minute Nos. 294 - 318) were taken as read approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record, subject to the inclusion of Councillor Bowles' apologies.

declarations of interest

No interests were declared.

change to the order of business

The Chairman altered the order of business, as minuted.

public session

Mr Tudor, Park Road, Sittingbourne, spoke against the proposed expansion of the Sittingbourne Residents' Parking Scheme (Minute No. 574). He considered there was not an issue with the current parking arrangements in Area Two and that the proposed scheme would not be beneficial to the residents in that area.

The Partnership Officer confirmed that she would respond to a tabled question from Leysdown Parish Council.

Partnership Officer

A letter from Councillor Lowe and Kent Councillor Mike Whiting regarding road safety in Milton, was acknowledged by the Chairman. The letter was passed to the Engineer for consideration.

Engineer

part a minutes for confirmation

speed limit review process

The Chairman welcomed Kirstie Horton, Road Safety Engineering Team Leader, Jacobs UK Ltd, to the meeting.

Ms Horton gave a presentation on the Speed Limit Review that was required by all Local Authorities, to review all A and B roads by 2011 in line with Circular 1/2006 - Setting Local Speed limits. The review would provide a snapshot of the speed limit of A and B roads and would provide a consistent network of speed limits across the country. She explained that there was a misconception that lowering speed limits would solve all road problems. Speed limits should be realistic and enforceable. Ms Horton outlined the seven key stages in the process and emphasised the importance of local Members engaging with, and getting feedback from, the public.

Ms Horton responded to questions from Members.

The Chairman thanked Ms Horton for her presentation.

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.

Page 3 - 743/03/09

The Engineer explained that he had met with the Football Club with regard to whether their car park could be used for parking by residents on the A2/Salters Lane junction. He reported that the Club had explained that because of security issues they did not want to leave the gates to the car park open. He further explained that there was a stretch of land further down the lane that may be an option for parking in the future.

A Member raised the problem of speeding vehicles at this location, and in response to a question, the Partnership Officer explained that Salters Lane did not meet the criteria for installation of an interactive sign.

Page 3 - 746/03/09

The Community Delivery Manager confirmed that she would update the Ward Members on progress regarding the reinstatement of trees on Abbey Street, Faversham.

Page 4 - 82/06/09

In response to the zigzag lines outside Graveney School, the Engineer confirmed that this would be included in the Faversham Traffic Regulation Order (TRO). He explained that TROs would now be completed for the whole of Swale at one time, rather than in the three areas, which should speed the process up.

Page 4 - 304/09/09

In the absence of the Ward Member, the Chairman confirmed that the recommendations from the 7th September 2009 meeting would be progressed.

faversham parking review

This report provided an update of the initial results of the recent consultation with residents in Faversham on the Parking Review.

various waiting restrictions including formal objections to traffic regulation order

The Engineer introduced the report which considered the results of recent consultation exercises carried out in various locations in relation to new waiting restrictions, and also considered formal objections received to the TRO advertised on site for the installation of waiting restrictions and the Sittingbourne Residents' Parking Scheme.

A Ward Member explained that parking issues were longstanding and considered that part implementation had increased the problems. He suggested that Area 2 be added to the scheme. Another part Ward Member, who also sat on the Board, spoke against the implementation of Area 2.

Discussions ensued on the recommendations within the report.

st georges avenue/granville road, sheerness

The Partnership Officer introduced the report on consultation carried out on the proposal to remove a mini-roundabout and reinstate a standard give-way junction at St George's Avenue/ Granville Road, Sheerness.

A Ward Member welcomed the proposal.

b2231, lower road, isle of sheppey

The Chairman read a statement from KHS regarding the reclassification of the B2231 to an 'A' road. The road had not warranted re-classification to an 'A' road under the current policy, but following discussions with local councillors, the KHS Performance Manager had decided to carry out an internal review of the current policy. Holiday parks would now be included in population figures and vehicle volumes taken into consideration. He outlined the procedure that would be taken before the policy could be approved and reported that the estimated time scale of re-classification of the B2231 would be four to five months.

Members discussed the timescale and suggested that it should not be as long as the time stated. The Community Delivery Manager explained that the process would be completed as soon as was possible.

A vote of thanks was given to Mr Peter Macdonald for the work that he had carried out towards the re-classification of the B2231.

environment, highways and waste policy overview committee reports (kent county council)

a2 london road (wickes), sittingbourne

The Partnership Officer introduced the report on a revised proposal to introduce No Waiting At Any Time between 126 and 140 London Road, Sittingbourne. She reported that the Police had submitted a report which stated that there were safety issues with vehicles coming onto London Road because of parked vehicles.

The Chairman of the Planning Committee, also a Member of the Board, reported that the Planning Committee had been advised by the Police, at the time of the planning application for Wickes, that there would be no parking issues as a result of the application.

Members did not consider that the proposals in the report were necessary.

a2/swanstree avenue

The Partnership Officer introduced the report on the introduction of No Waiting At Any Time at the junction of Canterbury Road and Swanstree Avenue, Sittingbourne.

swanstree avenue/highsted road

The Partnership Officer introduced the report to introduce No Right Turn at the junction of Swanstree Avenue and Highsted Road, Sittingbourne.

ferry road/school lane, iwade

The Partnership Officer introduced the report on the consultation carried out to implement highway improvements at the junction of Ferry Road and School Lane, Iwade.

petition received

The Partnership Officer introduced the report on a petition received for a pedestrian crossing at Minster Academy, Minster Road, Minster.

A Member advised that an accident had occurred outside the academy after June 2009. The Partnership Officer confirmed that current crash records run to the end of June 2009, so this crash was not yet listed on the KHS database.

Partnership Officer

petition received

The Partnership Officer introduced the report on a petition received for a safer crossing at Key Street roundabout, Bobbing.

A statement from Mr Hewson was tabled.

The KALC representative explained that the lines of visibility were poor and action was needed as it was a dangerous area.

Members discussed the traffic problems at Key Street roundabout and considered that more people would walk if there was a safer crossing.

The Partnership Officer advised that 30,000 vehicles used the junction each day and there had been four cases of personal injury over the past three years. She reported that KHS would continue to monitor the roundabout.

Some Members agreed to explore the matter further outside of the meeting.

petition received

The Partnership Officer introduced the report on a petition received for a traffic calming scheme at Prince Charles Avenue, Minster.

homewood avenue

The Partnership Officer introduced the report on the public consultation carried out to implement highway improvements along Homewood Avenue.

A Ward Member brought Members' attention to his tabled statement. He raised objection to part of the proposed scheme on safety and traffic flow reasons. He explained that the crossing on Borden Lane would be located right across the path of vehicles turning out of Adelaide Drive. He considered the restriction to the width of Adelaide Drive would impact traffic flow and cause traffic jams.

The Partnership Officer advised that the Adelaide Drive junction was narrowed to allow pedestrians to cross safely.

sittingbourne cycle network improvement scheme

The Partnership Officer introduced the report on the public consultation carried out to implement a cycle route to the south of Sittingbourne town centre.

2009/2010 and 2010/2011 integrated transport programme changes

There was no update for this item. The Partnership Officer confirmed that she would update the Chairman, for circulation to Members, on 2009/10 schemes previously deferred to 2010/11 and proposed 2010/11 schemes.

Partnership Officer

highway works programme progress 2009/2010 - update

Members considered the report page by page.

The Partnership Officer confirmed that the scheme for Priory Row, Davington (Appendix C1) had been abandoned following the recommendation made at the last JTB meeting in September 2009. The County Member advised that discussions were underway on the way forward and there would be a meeting to discuss the next steps.

The KALC representative requested that the location of Borden in C1 be changed to Borden Lane.

The Partnership Officer advised that the scheme for the missing link of footway in Lynsted was drawn up and ready to be implemented when funding had been secured.

signing to the eurolink estate

The Partnership Officer introduced the report on signing into the Eurolink Estate, Sittingbourne.

The KALC representative raised concern that any signs to companies would be out of date if the company re-located. The Chairman advised that the proposal was to sign areas within the Estate, not individual companies.