Agenda and minutes

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Contact: Democratic Services 01732 227350  Email: democratic.services@sevenoaks.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

29.

Chairman's Announcements

Minutes:

The Chairman announced that it would be the last meeting for Gary Connor, SDC Parking Services Manager, who was retiring after 36 years at the Council and for Andy Bracey, SDC Senior Parking and Traffic Engineer, who was moving to Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council after 10 years at the Council. The Chairman thanked them both for their excellent work over the years and said they would be missed.

 

30.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 41 KB

To agree the Minutes of the meeting of the Board held on 9 December 2014, as a correct record

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Democratic Services Officer tabled revised minutes, which updated minutes 24 and 25, for Members’ consideration.

 

Resolved: That the minutes of the meeting held on 9 December 2014, as updated, be approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

 

31.

Declarations of interest

Minutes:

County Councillors Mrs Crabtree and Parry and District Councillor Towell declared that they were members of Sevenoaks Town Council who had been consulted on proposals in minute item 36, On-Street Parking Restriction Changes. However they had not been in the room when the items were considered by the Town Council.

 

District Councillor Davison declared that he was a member of Edenbridge Town Council who had been consulted on proposals in minute item 36, On-Street Parking Restriction Changes.

 

District Councillor Edwards-Winser declared that he was a Member of Otford Parish Council who were presenting the petition in minute item 34.

 

County Councillor Parry also declared that he had been lobbied on minute item 37, On-Street Parking Restriction Changes in Dunton Green and Westerham.

 

32.

Matters Arising/Update (Including Actions from Previous Meetings) pdf icon PDF 16 KB

Minutes:

The Chairman requested that Action 1 remain on the action sheet as the final response had not yet been received.

 

In respect of Action 2 the KCC District Manager (Sevenoaks) advised that Kent County Council would continue to monitor the parking situation in Oakdene Road, however the safety record there was such that Officers could not take forward any changes at this stage.

 

With the permission of the Chairman, a member of the public asked what progress had been made concerning possible parking changes in Park Place, Bessels Green. The SDC Chief Officer Environmental & Operational Services advised that the proposals remained on the list to be taken forward. It had been expected that consultation would begin in Summer 2015, however this could be delayed by the Council’s staff changes.

 

33.

Presentation of Petition by Otford Parish Council: Proposed Parking Regulations pdf icon PDF 208 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

A local resident presented petition with a survey which requested amendments to the parking restrictions in the centre of Otford village. The local resident explained that changes were urgently needed as commuters had been displaced from parking near to the station and, more recently, displaced by the introduction of charges in the village car park, and were filling residential areas in Otford. She was concerned at the impact on elderly residents, local businesses and public safety, especially in Warham Road where emergency vehicles had struggled to gain access. The petition was handed to the Board.

 

The SDC local Member, on the Board, expressed support for the proposals and the SDC Senior Parking and Traffic Engineer indicated that the strong local support expressed in the survey meant any proposals could move straight to the formal consultation stage.

 

Resolved: That, subject to available resources, Officers be recommended to prepare formal consultation on the proposals outlined in the petition.

 

34.

Presentation of Petition by Cllr. Walshe: Road Surfaces Wickenden and Swaffields Roads pdf icon PDF 9 KB

Minutes:

District Cllr. Walshe presented a petition which requested the early resurfacing of Wickenden Road and Swaffield Road, Sevenoaks. The petition stated that the concrete-based roads had seldom been treated over decades and not been resurfaced for a few years. Both were residential roads but Wickenden Road acted as a rat-run around Bat & Ball Junction and access for the Hillingdon residential area. The petition was handed to the Board.

 

The KCC District Manager (Sevenoaks) responded that the details would be looked at and the petition would be responded to separately.

 

35.

On-street parking restriction changes - Traffic Road Order 2013 Amendment 2 (various locations) pdf icon PDF 63 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The SDC Senior Parking and Traffic Engineer introduced a report which explained that SDC had received a number of requests for changes to parking restrictions across the District in Crockenhill, Edenbridge, Farningham, Sevenoaks, Swanley and Westerham. The report set out the consultation proposals for each location, the responses and the Officer’s recommendations. The Board was asked to consider the objections to those proposals and whether the proposals should be agreed, amended or withdrawn. Officers would try to respond to consultees following the election in May 2015.

 

The Board considered the proposals recommended for implementation, in turn. During discussion, concerns were raised at the loss of on-street parking within Sevenoaks due to new developments with road access. Particular comments were also made on the following proposed amendments:

 

Barrack Corner Area, Sevenoaks

 

The Board heard from a public speaker on behalf of local residents and shopkeepers to Hollybush Lane and the SDC local Member. Members noted concerns raised about access through the junction of Holly Bush Lane and Cobden Road and a request to consider restrictions within the Holly Bush Lane area holistically. The SDC Senior Parking and Traffic Engineer would raise with KCC any proposals received offering land as public highway, to widen the junction, after the meeting. The Board agreed the proposal should go ahead but without the double yellow lines opposite the entrance to Cobden Road. The impact of the changes should be reviewed after at least a year and the SDC and KCC local Members should work together to look holistically at parking in Holly Bush Lane and the corner with Cobden Road.

 

Mill Hill, Ashbys Close, Victoria Road and Waterlakes, Edenbridge

 

Following concerns from the SDC and KCC local Members that the restrictions may go further than required, it was agreed the proposals should proceed but without the proposed extension to the double yellow lines on the south side of Waterlakes and without the new length of double yellow lines on the south side of Victoria Road opposite the garages.

 

The Green, Westerham

 

The Board heard form the SDC local Member and a representative of the Town Council. Following concerns raised about the impact of restrictions on local businesses and that Kent Police did frequently use its existing space, it was agreed the proposal to amend the Pay & Display parking bays should continue but without the relocation of the Police parking bay.

 

Farley Nursery, Westerham

 

The Board heard from the SDC local Member not on the Board and a local resident and a Member noted Westerham Town Council was also against the proposal. The local Member suggested that any proposal be considered as part of a wider review of restrictions within Westerham. The Board agreed the proposal be abandoned.

 

Broadway, Crockenhill

 

The Officer advised that the recommendation had been for refusal but noted the objections were minor. The SDC local Member, the Parish Council and local businesses had not been aware they needed to comment again at the formal consultation stage. The Board agreed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 35.

36.

On-street parking restriction changes - Traffic Road Order 2013 Amendment 12 (Dunton Green) pdf icon PDF 44 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The SDC Senior Parking and Traffic Engineer introduced a report which considered objections to changes to parking restrictions in Station Road and Kingswood Avenue, Dunton Green and The Green, Westerham.

 

The report recommended that the objections for the proposals for station Road, Dunton Green be set aside in order to improve traffic movements through the traffic calming. In Kingswood Avenue Officers recommended that regard be had to the objections with existing yellow lines on the western side only extended 2m, while existing restrictions be eased on the east, to allow additional parking

 

The Officer advised that while objections had been received concerning The Green, Westerham the recommendation was to set aside the objections. However residents had also sought a more wide-ranging scheme in the area to incorporate matters outside the District Council’s remit including a one-way system and the local District Councillor had suggested it be referred to KCC for consideration.

 

Resolved: That

 

a)            the objections to the proposed extension to parking restrictions in Station Road, Dunton Green be set aside and the changes implemented;

 

b)            the objections to the proposed double yellow lines in Kingswood Road, Dunton Green be noted, the proposed restrictions reduced and the existing double yellow lines reduced; and

 

c)             the objections be upheld and, in line with Cllr Maskell’s comments, the issue of changing the traffic arrangements around The Green be referred to Kent County Council as the Highway Authority.

 

37.

Bat and Ball Improvements pdf icon PDF 643 KB

Minutes:

The KCC District Manager (Sevenoaks) introduced a report which explained that KCC was holding monies secured for the improvement of cycling facilities at the Bat & Ball Junction and nearby. Three schemes had been consulted on, for Bradbourne Vale Road, Hospital Road and Crampton’s Road. The Officer explained that the schemes proposed were small steps towards meeting the Sevenoaks Cycling Strategy. The recommendation was for two project to continue for detailed design and construction but the Bradbourne Vale Road proposal to be withdrawn for further consideration including with the Cycle Forum, which was due to meet at the end of the week.

 

The Board received representations from the Greatness Residents’ Association and the Sevenoaks Cycle Forum.

 

SDC Members, not on the Board, raised concerns that the proposals did not adequately alleviate traffic and air quality. A Member on the Board noted that the proposal was only piecemeal. The Officer responded that the monies held were not sufficient to resolve difficulties at the junction and these proposals related only to a part of those monies which had been specifically assigned for cycling.

 

Resolved: That the three schemes be withdrawn.

 

38.

Highway Drainage pdf icon PDF 53 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The KCC District Manager (Sevenoaks) introduced the report which updated Members on the approach to maintaining and improving the highway drainage system, including a guide on asset management and a list of the largest 2014/15 drainage improvement schemes.

 

The Officer advised that Parish Councils would be contacted when works were to be carried out in their area. Notices were put out to inform drivers directly. In response to a comment, he clarified that although few of the largest drainage improvement schemes were in the District, Sevenoaks did have the most minor schemes (88 minor schemes).

 

Resolved: That the report be noted.

 

39.

Sevenoaks Highway Works Programme 2014/15 pdf icon PDF 49 KB

Minutes:

Members considered a report which gave an update on the highway works schemes that had been identified and programmed for delivery in 2014/15, and the progress on them.

 

In response to a question, the KCC District Manager (Sevenoaks) confirmed that works in Brattlewood, Sevenoaks were expected to be completed in Summer 2015.

 

Resolved: That the report be noted.

 

40.

Highway Improvement Scheme Progress Report pdf icon PDF 75 KB

Minutes:

Members considered a report which described the progress to date and anticipated progress over the following three months of all programmed highway improvements and those schemes that were expected to be included in the KCC 2014/15 Capital Programme.

 

A Member enquired as to the effectiveness of the permit scheme for the closure and partial closure of highways. The KCC District Manager (Sevenoaks) explained that permits were advertised but operators would often work to their own schedules.

 

The KCC local Member advised the Board that 200 signatures had been collected in support of the proposed width limit to vehicles at Birchwood Road, Swanley and the Town Council would be providing a similar response. He considered the safety of residents to be the priority.

 

Resolved: That the report be noted.

 

 

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