Cllr. London in the Chair.

To agree the Minutes of the meeting of the Board held on 19 June 2014, as a correct record

Resolved:  That the minutes of the meeting held on 19 June 2014 be approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

There were no additional declarations of interest.  

Resolved: That the action from the previous meeting be noted.

With the Committee’s agreement the Chairman brought forward the consideration of agenda item 7 and postponed agenda item 4 to take place after agenda item 6.

The KCC Traffic Engineer presented a report which set out the proposal for yellow lines  for the Bessels Green Road area.  A formal consultation on the current proposal was undertaken between 25 May and 16 June 2014. There were 14 objections received and those which were received after the close of the consultation had also been included.

Parish Councillor Mrs. Metcalf addressed the Board on behalf of Chevening Parish Council. She advised that the roads were dangerous due to the number of parked cars and drivers using it as a through route. The Parish Council did not agree with the proposal and suggested that some of the yellow lines needed to be removed. The proposal was tabled.

In response to a question the KCC Traffic Engineer advised that as the scheme was being funded by County Councillor Parry it would need his approval before amendments to schemes could be put out to consultation. County Councillor Parry expressed his agreement with the proposal put forward by the Parish Council.

The recommendation as per the agenda papers was put to the vote and was lost. 

The Board discussed the proposal put forward by the Parish Council to remove the proposed yellow lines on the junction to Westerham Road from Park Place by Southdown House, which would then slightly increase the availability of parking.  Members were advised that the yellow lines could not be removed from the junction as these were required by law, and only one side of yellow lines could be removed from outside Southdown House. The space without yellow lines could be increased in Park place from 44m to 52m and on Bessels Green Road from 50m to 65m.

In response to questions Members were advised that the changes could be considered as significant and therefore would have to go back out to consultation.

Members agreed that the current parking proposal should be carried out whilst waiting to hear from KCC’s legal team as to whether the proposed amendments were significant enough to require consultation.

Action 1: KCC Traffic Engineer to discuss with KCC’s legal team whether the proposed amendments were significant changes which would be required to go out to consultation.

The motion was put to the vote and it was

Resolved: That the current parking proposals as consulted on with the proposed amendments be agreed subject to receiving legal advice from KCC.

Members considered a report which provided an update to the Sevenoaks District Cycling Strategy. Mr. Morrison from the Sevenoaks Cycling Forum addressed the Board expressing concerns at the lack of progress made. The only progress appeared to be the cycle racks in Sevenoaks Town Centre. He advised that the number of incidents were increasing and cyclists were not safe, and there was too much focus on motorists. Mr. Morrison advised that the working group had been successful in the drafting stage of the Cycling Strategy and requested that one be set up again so that progress could be made.

In response to questions Members were advised that a cycle route between Otford and Sevenoaks had been discussed in the draft plan, but it was not put forward at the time due to lack of funding only the 3 proposed routes for Bradbourne Vale Road, hospital Road, and Cramption’s Road were currently being taken forward. He also advised that unfortunately some trees would have to be removed for the Bradborne Vale Road Shared Path Option but it was unknown whether the Oak tree was at risk.

Members discussed the possibility of creating a working group again to take the strategy forward. Cllr. Edwards-Winser volunteered to be a Member of the working group.  The KCC District Manager (Sevenoaks) advised that he would discuss with KCC officers who could be involved in the working group and would report back to the December meeting.

Action 2: For the KCC District Manager (Sevenoaks) to report back with Officers who would be available to sit on the working group.

Members considered a report which advised Members of proposed safety improvements at the acute bend at Birchwood Corner near to Jasmine and Birchwood Terrace. Cllr. Brookbank advised that he would be funding minor improvements from his Members’ Highway fund but additional measures were needed. He also advised that there was an error in the report and the road was Russet Way not Russell Way.

A local resident addressed the Board, tabling photos which showed how close lorries had been to her house and the damage that had been caused. Cars and lorries cut across the pavement and were inches from her bedroom. She advised that recently a car had gone through the front of her house and it was only a matter of time before there was a fatality.

In response to questions Members were advised that when the 6’6” width limit was imposed it was a fineable offence if lorries did go through it. There was also a time delay  in getting a Traffic Regulation Order.

Resolved:  That the report be endorsed and noted.

The KCC District Manager (Sevenoaks) presented a report which advised that  representations and requests had been made over the past years for the provision of formal pedestrian crossing on Dartford Road in the vicinity of Avenue Road due to reported difficulties in crossing at this location.  A bid had been included within the Integrated Transport Plan forward funding bidding process and it was hoped the results would be known by the December meeting.

A local ward Councillor addressed the Board who advised that she had first hand experience of the speed that drivers did and the dangers of the road, and that another crossing would improve the safety.

Resolved:  That the report be noted.

The KCC District Manager (Sevenoaks) presented a report which outlined the lessons learnt from the previous storms and floods that KCC experienced in Christmas and New Year in 2013 – 14. He advised that previous reports had been submitted and this was a complete review.

Resolved:  That the report be noted.

Members considered a report which described the progress to date and anticipated progress over the next three months of all the programmed highway improvements and schemes expected to be included in Kent County Council’s 2014/15 Capital Programme.

In response to questions the KCC MHF Officer advised Members that the Swanley Lane signing and lining improvements scheme predated him but would send the drawings through to the Member.  Members were advised that ‘Handed Over for Delivery’ was that once the design work had been completed it was then passed on for the contracts to be made and getting road space permits into place which could take up to 3 months.

Resolved:  That the report be noted.

Members considered a report which updated Members on the progress and the highway works schemes that had been programmed for delivery in 2014. Members were advised that some of the works should had been completed.  A Member advised that that the A25 Bradbourne Vale Road was in Sevenoaks and not in Seal.

Resolved: That the report be noted.

The KCC District Area Manager (Sevenoaks) presented a report which detailed the arrangements made between KCC and Sevenoaks District Council to provide a local winter service in the event of an operational snow alert in the District. Members were advised that there were no changes to the plan from last year.

Resolved: That the Report be noted.

The KCC District Manager (Sevenoaks) presented a report which detailed the results of the Highway and Transportation Satisfaction surveys carried out between November 2013 and January 2014. Members were pleased with the results that showed a high satisfaction rate especially with smaller budgets and the wet winter. 

Resolved: That the report be noted.