Appendix A added 14 June 2017.

The Major Projects – Project Manager (KCC Highways and Transportation) introduced the report which provided an update on the South East LEP (SELEP) funding and the programme to deliver the junction improvements at the A2500 Lower Road / Barton Hill Road, Minster.

The Major Projects – Project Manager reported that progress was on programme as previously reported to the Board.  The SELEP bid had been prepared and was due to be issued on 23 June 2017, but had been extended to 30 June 2017.  A decision from SELEP was expected on 8 September 2017.  The Major Projects – Project Manager reported that the Section 106 Agreements for the Plover Road and Harps Farm developments had been drafted and agreed and just needed to be signed-off.    The earliest start date to deliver the junction improvements was summer 2018.

The Major Projects – Project Manager reported that they had identified a further Department of Transport funding stream in the National Productivity Infrastructure Fund (NPIF).  He explained that they had been reviewing a number of projects that could come forward for consideration but as an authority were limited to two bids.  There was a proposal to put in a bid for the improvement of the widening and provision of a footway/cycle way between the A249 Neats Court and Barton Hill Drive to widen the footway which was currently 5.86 metres, to 7.3 metres to bring it in-line with current standards and also provide a new link for cyclists and pedestrians between Minster and the retail areas of Neats Court.  The Major Projects – Project Manager explained that housing from Policy AX1 of the Local Plan provided match-funding to support the bid.  A report on the proposals could be provided at a future meeting of the Board.

Members considered the update report and raised points which included: current situation was intolerable and a disgrace, queuing was not just at peak times; solution would be to shut-off the southbound junction with A2500 (Barton Hill Drive); parking restrictions were required on Plover Road and Thistle Hill; design of roundabout did not work for HGVs; if there was another access on the road it would make the situation worse; road was substantially less than the minimum design for a carriageway road and had too many vehicles travelling on it; design was hopeless; smaller roundabout would be more suitable; how confident were officers that funding would be confirmed?; was there a Plan B if the funding was not confirmed; need to seriously consider the impacts and disruption to visitors and businesses during the peak holiday season; did not understand why the project could not be brought forward to ensure it was not undertaken during the summer period; the semi-permanent scheme had not been considered by the Board; the design and shape of the roundabout needed to be looked at; and request that officers liaised with Swale Borough Council’s Section 106 Officer to establish what money from the original Thistle Hill development had been spent as this could be used for this development.

In response to queries, the Major Projects – Projects Officer stated that he was aware that there was another drawing showing a four-armed roundabout but this had not been allocated within the Local Plan.  He was unaware whether a permanent scheme had been actioned.  With regard to concerns about parking in Thistle Hill, he agreed to take the comment back to the relevant officer.  The Major Projects – Projects Officer stated that the design was typical and suitable for the volume of traffic.  With regard to funding, he stated that KCC had a 100% success rate with SELEP, so he was pretty confident funding for the project would be secured. 

Resolved:

(1)   That the report be noted.