Agenda item

Sevenoaks Saturday Market

Minutes:

Additional pictures were tabled at the beginning of the meeting.

County Cllr. Crabtree advised that it had been brought to her attention that there was a problem for market stall holders at the Saturday market with regard to the parking bay outside the Chequers Pub.  She stated that the market had been in the town for two to three hundred years and there were concerns that it might have to close if there were a loss of trade due to the stall holders not being able to keep their vans in the bay for restocking during the day.  There had only been one complaint that it was dangerous for other road users, which could be resolved if they parked slightly better.  The Chairman asked what was being sought from the Board and she responded that she was seeking suspension of enforcement action.

The Chairman advised that he would exercise his discretion and allow interested parties to address the Board.

Cllr. Dickins, Portfolio Holder for Direct & Trading which covered markets and parking.  He advised that currently four spaces were suspended on Saturdays to allow for the market, part of the carriageway adjacent to the Chequers pub was recessed in to a wider section of footway to a depth of around 1.8 metres, allowing the siting of a 3-4 vehicle parallel parking bay.  Vans were parking on the tapered ends of the layby which was causing an obstruction to the free flow of traffic at the part of the High street.  This was an offence and had to be enforced otherwise the Council would be in contravention of its contract with Kent County Council (KCC) and was a contravention of the contract with the market operator, the Town Council.

He could see only three possible solutions: removal of the longstanding double yellow lines which were KCC’s responsibility.  However, this would be an acceptance of an obstruction to the free flow of traffic and could result in increased air pollution which the Council could be held responsible for;  ‘turning a blind eye’ – however this was not satisfactory as on-street parking enforcement was conducted on behalf of KCC and the Council had no authority to do so, and under the Agency Agreement with Kent County Council, had a duty to enforce all parking restrictions in the District; or the market operator, Sevenoaks Town Council, could work out a better layout and plan of operations of the site.

Cllr. Piper addressed the Board as a Sevenoaks Town Councillor.  As did

Bill Westley, a fruit stall holder, and Jonathan Drury.

 

Some Members felt that ‘sensible’ enforcement or a temporary suspension was needed and that there did not appear to be accidents there, but evidently the vans could park tighter.

 

County Cllr. Mrs. Crabtree moved that KCC and SDC Officers be asked to look at ways to temporarily suspend the double yellow lines so the market stall holders could park in the bay outside the Chequers Pub in the High Street.  This was duly seconded.

 

It was then added that this should be reported to the next meeting of the Board and an intermediate solution would be required in the meantime.

 

After further debate and with the permission of the seconder, County Cllr. Mrs. Crabtree amended the motion to stipulate Saturdays and market days or investigation of the use of single yellow line or alternative options. 

 

Resolved:  KCC and SDC Officers be asked to look at ways to temporarily suspend the double yellow lines so the market stall holders could park in the bay outside the Chequers Pub in the High Street with a report to the next meeting of the Board and an intermediate solution found in the meantime.

 

Supporting documents:

 

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