Resolved:       That the minutes of the meeting of the Sevenoaks Joint Transportation Board held on 14 September 2011 be approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record, subject to the Officers being corrected to read: Mr. Burton (KCC) and Mr. Connor (SDC).

Cllr. James London and County Councillor John London declared a personal interest in minute item 20 in that Mrs London (Councillor John London’s wife and Councillor James London’s Mother) was a Sevenoaks Town Councillor.

The completed actions were noted.

The Senior Parking and Traffic Engineer (SDC) presented the report which  requested that Members approve a Traffic Regulation Order to introduce new and amend existing parking restrictions in the Witches Lane, Westerham Road, Cranmer Road and St Marys Drive areas of Chevening and Riverhead parishes.  Formal consultation had been carried out on the proposals in accordance with statutory requirements from 10 February to 13 March 2011, with the proposals for St Mary’s Drive being amended following informal consultation carried out in 2010.  The Senior Parking and Traffic Engineer (SDC) advised that since the publication of the agenda Riverhead Parish Council had again emailed asking for the proposals as detailed in Appendix B to the report, be agreed. 

Members noted that Chevening Parish Council’s had opposed the proposals for Witches Lane.  A Member considered their concerns centred on displacement parking that may result from implementation of the scheme.  A Member pointed out that the Parish Council and local Member represented many residents’ views which should not be taken lightly.  He asked for the restrictions inn the Chevening area to be rejected or deferred. 

Members noted that it was possible to reduce the scope of the restrictions under specific circumstances if so desired, without the need to go back out for consultation, and that it was possible to take separate decisions on the three areas under consideration in the Order.  It was also possible for the restrictions to be put in place but if deemed unsuccessful when reviewed, could be subsequently removed by a further amendment to the Traffic Order..  Members were reminded that there had already been informal and formal consultation on the proposed restrictions.

In light of the concerns expressed the Chairman moved that the Traffic Regulation Order be voted on as a whole with the proviso that if this fell it be considered as three separate areas.

Resolved:       That

(a)               the comments and objections to the changes in the on-street parking Traffic Regulation Order 2009 Amendment 16 be noted;

(b)               Officer recommendations set out within the report be approved for implementation; and

(c)               a review be carried out and reported to the Board six months after implementation.

The report described a petition presented to the Sevenoaks Joint Transportation Board on 14 September 2011 by Cllr. Mrs. Parkin on behalf of the parents at Fawkham School.  It requested action to lower the speed limit from 40mph to 20mph and for additional road safety measures along Valley Road. The District Manager (Sevenoaks) advised that Kent Police did not support the speed reductions and it would need significant highways works to make it self-enforcing.  The request for a formal crossing would also require significant work and due to the significant pressures on finances,  major works were only being carried out where there were high crash records as part of the Crash Remedial Measure Programme (CRM).  He could not comment on the parking problems as this was a situation the school needed to address and was not a highways matter.  Since the meeting the Highways Steward had inspected the area and arranged for the lining to be refreshed, 540m worth of ‘siding’ to be undertaken on the footway and some minor patching.  This area would continue to be monitored in line with the statutory inspection requirements with works undertaken as necessary.

The District Manager (Sevenoaks) reported that since the publication of the agenda,  County Councillor Brazier had agreed to use his Member Highway Fund to carry out a feasibility study into a speed reduction to 30mph.  Cllr. Mrs. Parkin thanked County Councillor Brazier on behalf of the petitioners.  A Member reminded those present that children hit at 30mph stood an 80% better chance of survival than those hit at 40mph.  The County Councillor commented that there was strong local feeling that needed to be respected and he was prepared to fund an inquiry to assess the overall value of lowering the speed limit.  If it were deemed a worthwhile exercise, he expected he may then need to fund it.

            Resolved:       That   

(a)               the Highway Authority not pursue any changes in the road                                              environment or a reduction in the speed limit  along Valley Road in the                        vicinity of Fawkham School;

(b)               it be noted that the provision of parking facilities and pedestrian access                      into the school is not the responsibility of the highway authority;  and,

the lead petitioner be informed of the Board’s decision.

The District Manager (Sevenoaks) introduced the report which informed the Board of the results of a survey of pedestrian guardrailing in Sevenoaks and sought comments on proposals to remove sections of guardrailing from some sites.

Members were concerned that removal of the railings near the Railway Station (Site 2) would be dangerous and at least served to guide pedestrians to cross correctly and that they had originally been put in place for safety reasons.  In fact there was possibly not enough railings.  A Member advised that the Rail Station was also set to make improvements to the station forecourt area and that it may be advisable to wait until these changes were carried out. 

With reference to the proposal to remove the railings at the junction with the A225 Dartford Road and Suffolk Way/Pembroke Road (Site 4) a Member was concerned that this was driven by costs and not safety.  There was also an understanding that improvements were to be made to this junction under a s.106 agreement and that it may be advisable to wait until these had been carried out. 

Resolved:       That

(a)               Sites 1, 3, 5 – 8 as set out in the report, be agreed; and

(b)               consideration of Sites 2 and 4 be deferred until the next meeting of the Board.

The report described the progress to date and anticipated progress over the next three months of all programmed highway improvements and those schemes that were expected to be included in Kent County Council’s 2011-12 Capital Programme.  The District Manager (Sevenoaks) apologised that the Transport Planner was not able to attend the meeting due to an earlier work related incident.  With reference to the Polhill Crash Remedial Measures he advised that there was to be a meeting in the New Year to discuss this and other hills in the area.  In response to a query that Otford Parish Council had not seen the proposals, he advised that consultation had gone out that week but he would double check Otford Parish Council had been on the list.  In response to a Member’s question he advised that the traffic island had been placed at Polhill as a crash remedial measure and therefore could be done ahead of the consultation.  It was only included on the consultation for information. 

ACTION 1:     Invitation to the meeting concerning Polhill Crash Remedial Measures to be extended to County Councillors Gough and Parry.

A Member advised the Board that the junction works near Station Road were causing concern among many local residents and the Parish Council. Considering the cost he was concerned that there needed to be more certainty that the measures would physically work.  The current view was that the mini roundabout did not work.  The District Manager confirmed that a petition had recently been received concerning the traffic calming measures, but was too late to be included on the agenda.

ACTION 2:     Petition and Officer response to the Station Road, Dunton Green petition, to be submitted to the next meeting of the Board, with all local representatives kept appraised of the situation.

The District Manager (Sevenoaks) updated the Board on additional items to the Members’ Highway Fund expenditure.  The Board noted that where the report stated ‘Awaiting Member Approval’ it referred to County Council Cabinet Member approval.  It was advised that in many cases this had already been granted. 

ACTION 3:     Kent Highways to note and investigate the following

David Brazier

·                                        no note of completed works outside Hartley Post Office

Peter Lake

·                     ‘Fordcombe to Penshurst Village – Request for an illuminating speed reduction sign’  ongoing and should not be taken off the list

·                     query from a Member as to why the ‘Station Road, Edenbridge – Request for a Pedestrian Crossing’ was not covered by the building costs of the Community Centre

Robert Brookbank

·                     ‘Emerson Avenue and Victoria Hill Road, Hextable – Request for measures to improve visibility’ lining is outstanding and causing parking problems

·                     ‘Russet Way, Swanley – request that unsuitable for HGV signs’ still not completed after two years.

The District Manager (Sevenoaks) advised that he was aware that there were a number of issues concerning the list which is why he had hoped the relevant Officer would have been able to attend the meeting.

Members noted  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21.

The Kent Highway Schemes Manager’s report set out recent changes following a restructure of the department and highlighted how Kent Highways and Transportation (KH&T) would continue to focus on working with communities and ensure proper engagement with Members, Councillors, Parishes and local people.

In response to a number of concerns that it was difficult to contact a Highway Steward, the District Manager advised that every parish representative, clerk and member had been sent the plan and contact details.  If contact was needed to report a specific problem then it was necessary to do this via the contact centre so that there was a formal record and it was accountable within the system.  However Stewards cold be contacted directly for information, advice or judgements.  He was aware that there may have been a recent issue with the contact centre which he hoped to address.  There had been a number of changes in personnel and the management structure, but it was believed that the new arrangements were working well.

            Resolved:       That the report be noted.