Members of the public have the opportunity to speak at this meeting.  Anyone wishing to present a petition or speak on this item is required to register with the Democratic Services Section by noon on Friday 4 March 2016.  Questions that have not been submitted by this deadline will not be accepted.  Only two people will be allowed to speak on each item and each person is limited to asking two questions.  Each speaker will have a maximum of three minutes to speak.

Petitions, questions and statements will only be accepted if they are in relation to an item being considered at this meeting.

A representative from ‘20’s Plenty’ is presenting to request that a working group is set-up to examine how 20mph could be implemented throughout all residential streets in Faversham.

The Chairman welcomed the members of the public who had registered to speak at the meeting.  He advised that those items further down the agenda, where members of the public had registered to speak, would be brought forward.

Kent County Councillor Roger Truelove presented a petition to the Board from residents of Lime Grove, Sittingbourne.  The petition was handed to the Seafront & Engineering Manager for a report to be submitted at the next meeting of the Board on 4 July 2016.

Mrs Amanda Russell gave a presentation as representative of the Faversham ‘20’s Plenty’ campaign group.  She explained that she had a petition with 150 signatures so far, in support of 20 is plenty.  Mrs Russell advised that 25% of the UK population lived in Boroughs where 20mph zones had been implemented or were about to be implemented.  She outlined the cost implications and explained that 20mph was more popular after implementation, with 66% of drivers saying that 20mph was a good idea.  Faversham Town Council and the Faversham Society supported 20 is plenty in Faversham.  Mrs Russell reported that in September 2015, KCC had refused to fund the scheme as they considered it too expensive, and that Faversham had the wrong qualifying indicators for the scheme to go ahead.  She outlined the crash statistics in Faversham; 140 incidents included two fatalities.  Mrs Russell outlined how 20mph could benefit KCC and Faversham by creating safer streets and she provided data on the decrease in injuries as a result in slower speeds.   Mrs Russell explained that a reduction in speed could significantly reduce the injuries on pedestrians and cyclists.  She explained that having a 20mph limit also helped to encourage more walking and cycling, created cleaner streets and reduced pollution.  Mrs Russell requested that a working group be set-up to examine how 20mph could be implemented throughout all residential streets in Faversham.

Members commented on the presentation as follows: support the reduction in the speed limit; this could be introduced Borough-wide, not just within Faversham; a working group should be set-up; by choosing to go Borough-wide, this could delay the implementation in Faversham; and maybe start in Faversham, then develop it further throughout the Borough.

Councillor Bryan Mulhern moved a motion to set up a working group.  This was seconded by Kent County Councillor Harrison.

Kent County Councillor Mike Baldock moved an amendment that the working group first looked at a 20mph limit in Faversham, with a remit to then look Borough-wide.  This was seconded by Councillor Bryan Mulhern.  On being put to the vote the amendment was agreed.

Recommended: 

(1)       That a working group be set-up to examine how a 20mph limit could be implemented in Faversham and then rolled-out Borough-wide.

Mr Lynch spoke on Item 9 of the agenda, Fairview Road Area, Sittingbourne – Parking Review.  He highlighted problems of safety, and of access, particularly to emergency vehicles, caused by commuter parking on both sides of the road.

Mrs Kelsy-Jansen did not speak on this item.

Mr Tim Stonor spoke on Item 11 of the agenda – A2/A251, Faversham – Junction Improvement Update.  Mr Stonor acknowledged the need for improvement at the junction, but considered the roundabout option was not the right one.  He explained that congestion was mainly at peak times, and the roundabout option did not allow for formal pedestrian crossing points or formal cycle lane provision.  Mr Stonor considered the roundabout option to be expensive.  He suggested banning the right-hand turn from the Mall to the A2 would generate issues of ‘rat-runs’ through other nearby streets.  Mr Stonor suggested the matter should ‘go back to the drawing board’, that the speed limit be decreased to 20mph, involve the public with the design, and traffic lights should be considered at the junction.

Helen Knell, Chairman of Lower Road Campaign Group, spoke on Item 12 of the agenda – Lower Road, Isle of Sheppey, petition.  Mrs Knell explained that safety on Lower Road was a major issue to anyone using the road. She explained that as a link to the eastern end of the Isle of Sheppey, it was essential that the road was fit for purpose.  She was encouraged by the Local Growth Fund Bids that had been put forward for highway improvements along the Lower Road, including proposals for widening the road for pedestrians and cycle facilities.  Mrs Knell asked that commitment be given to improve the road and make the modifications happen.

Mr Clive Eglinton, Managing Director, Chalkwell Garage and Coach Hire Ltd spoke on Item 7 of the agenda – Formal Objections – Traffic Regulation Order for Proposed Sittingbourne Market Re-location.  Mr Eglinton explained that buses brought business to the High Street.  He considered the present market was small, and that any change to the bus timetable on different days would be disruptive to passengers.  He stated that the proposed transport hub, near to the station was too far from the High Street, and that buses needed to be accessible.  Mr Eglinton considered the proposed Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) was counter-productive.