To consider a report on formal objections received in relation to latest advertised Traffic Regulation Order, Swale Amendment 13, for various SBC and KCC proposals.

The Engineer introduced the report which provided a summary of formal objections received to a recently advertised Traffic Regulation Order for amendments to various waiting restrictions in the Swale area.  He explained that an email had been received in relation to Harold Road/Thomas Road, Sittingbourne, in objection to the proposals.

Members spoke on the proposals.

Borden Lane, Sittingbourne – proposed ‘School Keep Clear’ markings

A Ward Member considered the proposal implied that Borden Lane would be used as a drop-off point for Westlands Primary School which he considered was not feasible, as it was already a congested road.  He raised concern with safety issues and the volume of traffic on the road.  The Ward Member considered the School Travel Plan needed to be in place and the entrance be used as a pedestrian entrance, not a drop-off point, without the need for ‘Keep Clear’ markings.

Kent County Council (KCC) Councillor Roger Truelove moved a motion to defer the proposal until a School Travel Plan had been produced, so that a workable pedestrian access could be implemented.  This was seconded by KCC Councillor Mike Baldock.  On being put to the vote, the motion for deferral was agreed.

Harold Road/Thomas Road, Sittingbourne – extension of Double Yellow Lines

A Ward Member spoke in favour of the proposal to extend the double yellow lines.  He raised concerns with safety and the inability for emergency vehicles to access the road when cars were parked there.  He suggested that access points be installed to allow access for emergency vehicles.

Members raised the following points:  understand that emergency vehicles needed access, but residents also needed somewhere to park; a joined-up approach was required with planning/parking;  parking was always a problem in areas where there was terraced housing; peoples lives cannot be put at risk in a situation where emergency vehicles cannot get access; parking had to be restricted to allow access; waste collection vehicles also required access; and this type of issue also occurred on new housing developments.

With reference to paragraph three on page 43 of the report, a Member sought clarification on whether residents would be penalised for parking ‘one wheel on, one wheel off’ the pavement.  A Member explained that so long as a metre was left on the pavement for pedestrian access, traffic wardens would not penalise drivers.

The Head of Service Delivery advised that enforcement could only be carried out where there was a traffic order in place, so not on a pavement if there were no yellow lines; the Police would get involved if there were obstruction issues.

KCC Members, Ward Members and officers agreed to meet to look into the possibility of installing access barriers for the emergency services.

Belvedere Road, Faversham – Proposed double yellow lines

A Ward Member explained that the parking problem occurred during the working day, by commuter traffic and suggested that restrictions be put in place during the middle of the day, and extended further along Belvedere Road as there were pinch-points.

Councillor Bryan Mulhern proposed that the matter be deferred to the March 2015 meeting of the Board for further consultation so that a better solution could be reached.  This was seconded by Councillor Mike Whiting.

The Engineer reported that parking along Belvedere Road was residents, rather than commuters.  He advised that a one-hour parking restriction, put in some areas to restrict commuter parking, would not be appropriate in this location.  Parking on the pinch-points raised emergency access issues.

Upon being put to the vote, the motion for deferral was agreed.

Preston Street, Faversham – proposed double yellow lines and residents’ parking

A Ward Member welcomed the proposal.

Recommended:

(1)       That the proposed amendments to waiting restrictions on Borden Lane, Sittingbourne be deferred to allow a School Travel Plan to be produced.

(2)       That the extension of double yellow lines on Harold Road/Thomas Road, Sittingbourne be progressed.

(3)       That the proposed amendments to waiting restrictions on Belvedere Road, Faversham be deferred for further consultation so that a better solution could be reached. 

(4)       That the proposed double yellow lines and residents’ parking on Preston Street, Faversham be progressed.