The Senior Programme Manager (Active Travel) introduced the report which provided detail on the objectives of Quiet Lanes.  He advised that KCC did not have a policy on the introduction of Quiet Lanes but did have a historical report on where they had been implemented.    The Senior Programme Manager (Active Travel) explained that any proposed Quiet Lanes were subject to a comprehensive public consultation and needed to be able to demonstrate low traffic volume and speeds.  They should not rely on Police enforcement and KCC did not have specific funding to promote and implement them.

The Chair welcomed questions.

Councillor David Simmons said Porters Lane, Faversham would be an ideal Quiet Lane.  He asked if the Quiet Lane requests were better coming from the relevant Parish Council?  The report referred to a 40 mph speed limit but he thought a Quiet Lane for walking and cycling should be 20 mph?  The Senior Programme Manager (Active Travel) said that Parish Councils could put them in their Parish Highway Improvement Plan (HIP).  He said Sustrans were promoting Quiet Lanes and the 40 mph was a maximum speed and it was important to consider carefully whether “rat-runs” would be suitable as Quiet Lanes and each road needed to be assessed on its own merits.

Parish Councillor Jeff Tutt welcomed the report.

Parish Councillor John Fassenfelt spoke about the success of the Quiet Lane implemented at Munsgore Lane, Borden.  He said that sensitive signage was important and it was about educating motorists on driving slower subject to road conditions.

Councillor Alastair Gould said that linking bridal paths would be a good use of a Quiet Lane and a good example would be Dawes Road, Dunkirk.  He said that speed limits should be applied by signage as many rural roads were 60 mph.  The Senior Programme Manager (Active Travel) felt that bridal paths could be linked.  He said that existing low speeds were key for Quiet Lanes not signage as some rural roads could be driven quite fast and any traffic calming needed to be sensitive to the environment.  Councillor Gould considered a 30 mph speed limit sign would improve the understanding that it was a Quiet Lane.

Councillor Julian Saunders felt there were a number of rural lanes in Swale which would function well as Quiet Lanes.  He felt Vicarage Lane, Faversham would also be suitable.   He asked if some Quiet Lanes could be limited to access only?  The Senior Programme Manager (Active Travel) said that  limiting access using signage was not always successful but measures were needed to remove the “dominance” of vehicles by cycling, walking, horse-riding.

KCC Councillor Mike Dendor asked how many rural lanes were KCC diversion routes?  He said that it may not be legal to limit access to roads.  The Senior Programme Manager (Active Travel) said it was difficult to deal with the number of road closure requests and provide suitable diversion routes.  He said that there was a TRO that needed to be consulted on if you wanted to prohibit vehicles and needed to consider access for refuse vehicles and any turning-heads which may be required.

KCC Councillor Cameron Beart drew attention to paragraph 2.6 in the report which said that 20 mph speed limits should be self-enforcing.  He said that 95% of the roads in his borough ward on the Isle of Sheppey were 20 mph and achieved nothing because they were not enforced.  The Senior Manager (Active Travel) said it was difficult to make 20 mph compliant particularly in rural lanes. 

The Chair thanked the officer for the report.  She considered there was an appetite for Quiet Lanes in the borough but noted that funding was not currently available.

Resolved:

(1)      That the report be noted.