The Chair welcomed Daniel Rollinson (National Highways (NH) Project Manager) to the meeting. 

The NH Project Manager introduced the update which was attached to the agenda.  He reported that the scheme was making good progress and on-target to open in the Winter of 2024.  He invited Members to ask questions.

Kent County Councillor Mike Baldock thanked NH for the update.  He raised concern about the impact the scheme was having in terms of speeding vehicles through Danaway, Sittingbourne and the lack of Police presence in the area.  Mr Baldock considered that NH and KCC were not engaging with the Parish Councils on the impacts of the scheme and there were concerns about how the scheme would link up with the Key Street roundabout.  He said improved communication was needed.

The NH Project Manager noted the concerns about speeding through Danaway and Oad Street and explained that they were in consultation with the Police who they had asked to do regular speed checks in the area.  He said that Danaway and Oad Street were KCC roads not NH.  The NH Project Manager said there would always be an impact from such a big scheme and that NH were liaising with KCC and the Police to address any issues. 

Councillor Monique Bonney raised concern about the impact the road closures were having in respect of traffic re-routing especially through Bapchild and the effect it was having on local residents in terms of speeding traffic and congestion.  It was also having a negative impact at the Swanstree Avenue, Sittingbourne traffic lights.

In response, the NH Project Manager said that road closures were planned to best avoid having any impact on local residents through consultation with KCC, local residents, Parish Councils and landowners.  He said that roads were closed at night and at weekends to keep disruption to a minimum and the closures were needed for safety.

Kent County Councillor Cameron Beart reported that Kent Police had been carrying out speed checks at Danaway that afternoon and were often carrying out speed checks there as demonstrated on their Twitter page. 

Kent County Councillor John Wright asked whether NH had consulted Stockbury Parish Council in relation to the proposed crossing and bus stop.  Mr Wright considered the crossing needed to be able to accommodate horse riders and vehicles as well as pedestrians and spoke of possible funding opportunities.  He also asked whether Parish Councils were being kept informed and noted traffic counts and speed checks in Binbury Lane, Stockbury.

In response, the NH Project Manager explained that they were liaising with Stockbury Parish Council and investing and improving the existing footway and pushing forward for funding for the pedestrian crossing, however a vehicular bridge was outside their scope and was being considered by KCC.  The NH Project Manager said that he was not aware of any traffic counts or speed checks in Binbury Lane.

Kent County Councillor John Wright considered that residents of Stockbury were being ignored in regard to the proposed crossing.

Kent County Councillor Mike Baldock moved the following motion:  That the Chair of the Swale Joint Transportation Board wrote to the Secretary of State for Transport requesting that a vehicular crossing over the A249 at Stockbury be provided.  This was seconded by Councillor Monique Bonney.  This was supported by Members.

Resolved:

(1)      That the Chair of the Swale Joint Transportation Board wrote to the Secretary of State for Transport requesting that a vehicular crossing over the A249 at Stockbury be provided.

(2)      That the update be noted.