minutes

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 6th September 2010 (Minute Nos. 98 - 115) were taken as read, approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

A Member passed a letter to the Community Delivery Manager from a local resident regarding Minute No. 315, Traffic Regulation Orders, A2 Newington.

declarations of interest

No interests were declared.

public session

The Chairman invited those members of the public registered to speak to do so as that item was considered by Members.

part a minutes for confirmation by cabinet

joint transport board chairmen's meeting

The Chairman provided an oral update on the Joint Transport Board Chairman's meeting, held on 6th September 2010. He reported that the speed limit review in Kent had been suspended because of funding issues. The winter maintenance programme had been discussed and it was considered that communication seemed to have improved. The Chairman also reported that KCC had carried out work with the Government and SatNav to get information on roads not suitable for HGVs.

Other issues raised were: the delay in movement of signs by contractors after work had been carried out; pot hole problems were being addressed by surface dressing; the KHS procurement process; contracts which had been put out to tender, to commence in 2011; and efforts were being made to make gully clearing a pro-active service, rather than reactive, via a timetabled schedule. He urged Members to contact KHS to notify them of any problem hotspot areas with regard to gullies. The Community Delivery Manager confirmed that she would provide a plan of the gullies to each Parish Council to enable the plan to be updated with local information.

Community Delivery Manager

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.

98/06/08
The Engineer reported that funding had been found for the study of the traffic flow in Faversham Town Centre, but funding for the actual works had still to be found. He confirmed that the study should be completed by the end of March 2011.

743/03/09
The Engineer reported that the Traffic Regulation Order for the junction of Salters Lane and the A2 had been completed, ready for KHS to install the lining.

746/03/09
A Member reported positive feedback on the replacement of trees on Abbey Street, Faversham.

a) various waiting restrictions

The Engineer introduced the report which set out results of recent consultation carried out in various locations in relation to proposed waiting restrictions, and also to consider formal objections received following the recent advertising of Traffic Regulation Orders in Swale.

Mrs Roots spoke with regard to the proposals to install waiting restrictions at Keycol Hill, Newington/Bobbing. She explained that as some of the houses were terraced, there was a lack of parking for residents. She reported that there were speeding traffic issues and she considered that having cars parked on the kerbside helped to slow vehicles down. Mrs Roots considered that installing double yellow lines would increase vehicle speeds.

Mrs Jones also spoke with regard to the proposals to install waiting restrictions at Keycol Hill. She highlighted the speeding vehicle issues and suggested that if the restrictions went ahead, alternative land for parking would be needed.

Miss Fenn spoke with regard to the proposals to install waiting restrictions at Ethelbert Road, Faversham. She explained that parking restrictions would alter the smooth running of the school as visitors to the school required parking and there were only spaces for seven vehicles at the school. She did not consider that restrictions were necessary, as there were no parking difficulties on the road.

The Engineer reported that a petition had been received against the proposed restrictions on Ethelbert Road and further consultation had resulted in a different point of view to the petition. A Member suggested that an alternative school premise could be utilised for staff and visitor parking.

In response to a question, the Engineer confirmed that the zig-zag lines outside Graveney School were scheduled to be installed on 20th December 2010.

b) proposed extension to residents' parking scheme, faversham

The Engineer introduced the report which summarised the results of the consultation with residents, and a subsequent petition, on proposals to extend the existing Residents' Parking Scheme to include Kingsnorth Road, Canute Road, Edith Road and Belmont Road in Faversham.

The Head of Service Delivery explained that the original consultation and a petition had been received from residents which showed that there was support for restrictions on Edith Road. He reported that one option was to extend the scheme to include Belmont Road and Edith Road and to monitor the effects of this on the remaining area including Ethelbert Road.

c) sittingbourne signing review

The Regeneration and Projects Manager introduced the report which set out progress relating to signing in Sittingbourne and the construction of the Sittingbourne Northern Relief Road (SNRR).

He explained that the latest phase of the SNRR would take the majority of HGV traffic away from the town centre area. Signage was also being reviewed to ensure that it was up to date and to ensure that the SNRR was being utilised by HGVs. As there was significant change to the signage, consultation had been carried out to ensure best use of the SNRR and to be prepared when the road was complete and ready for use.

In response to a question, the Regeneration and Projects Manager explained that as HGV SATNAVs were very expensive, some lorry companies bought car SATNAVs, which were not set up to show HGV routes. He reported that this was difficult to rectify, but the new signage could be fed into the HGV map of Kent.

A Member congratulated KHS on their pro-active signage measures.

d) b2231 reclassification

This report set out the progress to re-classify the B2231 to an 'A' road on the Isle of Sheppey.

Parish Councillor Macdonald welcomed progress of the reclassification and requested a copy of the application sent to the Government of the North East (GONE).

In response to a question, the Community Delivery Manager reported that the overall process should be completed by Spring 2011. GONE would decide the new name of the road.

highway works programme 2010/2011

Members considered the report which provided an update on the identified schemes approved for construction in 2010/2011.

The Community Delivery Manager confirmed that she would look into when repairs would be carried out on Stonebridge Way, Faversham. Requests were made that the creek bridge in Faversham and the Queenborough railway bridge be added to the Bridge Works in Appendix D and Sheerness High Street be added to Appendix B1.

In response to a question, the Community Delivery Manager explained that the bad weather had resulted in the need to carry out a lot of pothole repair work and this was being prioritised.

local winter service plan

The Community Delivery Manager introduced the report which provided details of the Local Winter Service Plans for the Swale area for 2010/2011.

She bought Members' attention to the Team Handbook in the report which provided a winter service procedure and showed a hierarchy of treatment of roads. A Member reported that some of the names of schools in Sheerness had changed and that Bysingwood 'Lane', should read 'Road'.

The Chairman requested that any comments on the report should be forwarded to the Liaison Officer for Swale so that the document was kept up to date.

exclusion of the press and public

part a minutes for confirmation by cabinet

disabled persons' parking bay installations and parking bay removals