To agree the Minutes of the meeting of the Board held on 8 December 2020, as a correct record

Resolved:  That the Minutes of meeting of Sevenoaks Joint Transportation Board held on 8 December 2020 be agreed and signed by the Chairman, as a correct record.

For transparency, Cllr Collins and Mr Parry had declared they had been contacted by a resident in respect of Minute 48 – Proposed Speed Limit – Various Roads, Otford, Sevenoaks.

For transparency, Cllr McGregor declared that for Minute 46 – Request for speed enforcement and road safety measures on the B2026 from the north of Homestead Road to Swan Lane, Marlpit Hill, Edenbridge, the item related to his ward and he had signed the petition.

There were none.

The Chairman invited the Lead Petitioner, Chrissie Brown to address the Board.

The Schemes Program Manager (KCC) set out the report which outlined the actions taken in response to the issues raised. The Schemes Planning and Delivery Team (SPD) had undertaken a desktop study and attended the site to observe the traffic flows and speeds. There were plans to install traffic surveys in January 2021, but this had been delayed due to the lockdown in response to Covid-19 as it was felt the surveys would not give an accurate reflection of the situation during the lockdown period.

Traffic surveys would be introduced following the easing of government restrictions. The buff coloured high friction road surface along Main Road would be extended to highlight the junction to approaching traffic and assist vehicles in reducing their speeds more efficiently.

Resolved:  That

a)   the proposed actions be agreed; and

b)   Kent Highways works with Edenbridge Town Council and the Marlpit Hill Action Group. 

Members discussed the report detailing the consultation which took place for the proposed reduction of current speed limits to various roads in Westerham. The proposed scheme would reduce existing posted speed limits on various roads, highlight entry points into new speed zones, and incorporate existing signs into the proposals in order to reduce street clutter.

Local members shared their support for the proposed scheme. The Chairman expressed his thanks to Jamie Watson from KCC for his work on the scheme and to Town Cllr Loretta Bird for her collaboration to help introduce the scheme.

Resolved:  That the implementation of the proposed 20 mph and 30 mph speed limits, be recommended.

Members discussed the report which detailed the consultation that took place for the proposed 20 mph speed limit on various roads in Otford. The proposed scheme would reduce the speed limit to 20 mph using upright repeater signs and roundel road markings. Entry points to the proposed 20 mph speed limit would be highlighted by measures such as new terminal signs, coloured road surfacing and village gateway features.

Resolved:  That the implementation of the of the proposed 20 mph speed limit, be recommended.

Members considered the objections to the minor on-street parking proposals within the Kent County Council (Various Roads in the District of Sevenoaks) (Prohibition and Restriction of Waiting and Loading and Unloading and On-Street Parking Places) (Amendment 36) Order 2021 (known as “TRO 2013 Amendment 36”) received during the statutory consultation.

It was highlighted that the financial implications set out in the report should read that the parking proposals set out in Appendices 1 and 7 would be funded by local county councillors from their Combined Member Grant allocations. Furthermore, the Council would be able to meet the cost of those given in Appendices 2 to 6 and Appendix 8 from the parking account.

Resolved:  That it be endorsed that

a)   the feedback from the statutory consultation regarding the minor on-street parking proposals within TRO 2013 Amendment 36, be noted;

b)   as no relevant objections were received, the implementation of the parking proposals as drawn for Riverside, Eynsford, Main Road, Hextable and Church Road, West Kingsdown, detailed in Appendices 1, 2 and 8 to the report, be noted;

c)    the relevant objections received to the parking proposals for Permit Zone A, Bethnel Road, and Greatness Road, Sevenoaks, detailed in Appendices 3, 4, and 5 to the report be set aside and the proposals as drawn, be implemented;

d)   the relevant objection received to the parking proposal for London Road (A224), Sevenoaks, detailed in Appendix 7, be upheld in part and, before implementation, the proposal be modified;

e)   the relevant objections received to the parking proposals for Hartslands Road and Sandy Lane, Sevenoaks, detailed on Appendix 6 to the report, be upheld and the proposals, be withdrawn; and

f)     the objectors be notified of the decisions.

Members considered the response to, and Officer recommendations for, the proposed disabled persons (blue badge) parking bay relating to Madan Road, Westerham received during the informal consultation period.

Resolved:  That

a)   the application for a parking bay for disabled persons (blue badge holders) in Madan Road, Westerham, which met Kent County Council’s assessment criteria, set out in Appendix 1 of the report, be noted; and

b)   the feedback from an informal consultation with neighbours and local representatives on the successful application, together with Officers’ comments, be noted.

The Board considered a report which updated them on identified schemes approved for construction in 2020/21 with the Sevenoaks District Manager (KCC) giving any relevant updates on the schemes listed. Members asked questions of clarification on approved schemes.

Action 1: The Sevenoaks District Manager (KCC) to confirm if the proposed works on Orchard Close and Queens Drive, Sevenoaks had started on 1 March 2021 and advise the local KALC Representative.

Action 2: The Sevenoaks District Manager (KCC) to find out whether reflective bollards were due to be put in the place at Sevenoaks Road, Otford and advise the local member.

Action 3: The Sevenoaks District Manager (KCC) to confirm what works were included in Phase 2 at The Old Peugeot Garage Site, Otford Road involved and advise the local KALC representative.

Resolved:  That the report be noted.