Agenda and draft minutes

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Ezekiel.

To receive any declarations of interest.  Members are advised to consider the extract from the Standard Board Code of Conduct for Members, which forms part of the Declaration of Interest Form at the back of this Agenda.  If a Member declares an interest, they should complete that Form and hand it to the Officer clerking the meeting.

There were no declarations of interest.

To approve the Minutes of the Joint Transportation Board meeting held on 23 November 2011, copy attached.

On the proposal of Councillor Hayton, seconded by Councillor Kirby, the minutes of the meeting held on 23 November 2011 were approved and signed by the Chairman.

Schedule attached

(Minute No. 41 refers)

In addressing the Board under Council Procedure Rule 24.1, Councillor Johnston pointed out that:

• the railings needed to be repaired immediately as they were becoming increasingly dangerous, with some further pieces of iron having recently fallen onto the beach;

• a letter on the issue of ownership had been sent by Harvey Patterson, Corporate & Regulatory Services Officer and Monitoring Officer, Thanet District Council, to Paul Valek, District Manager, Kent County Council – Highways and Transportation.

Paul Valek responded by confirming receipt, the day before, of the letter, which, he said, would be passed to the Legal Team at Kent County Council.  Pending resolution of the ownership issue, he would arrange for an officer to look at the railings in order to assess their safety.

(Minute No. 29b refers)

Paul Valek reported that, following reassessment of the site and plans, it was decided not to proceed with the installation of pedestrian guardrails, which would cost in the region of £2,000 to £4,000, depending on the type selected.  It was felt that the proposed improvements to the zebra crossing, by way of upgrading the existing beacons to modular lit posts, should adequately enhance the visibility of the crossing and, consequently, ensure pedestrians’ safety when crossing the road.

(Minute No. 29c refers)

Paul Valek confirmed that, upon visiting the site at both day and night, he had observed parking of vehicles at Friendly Close, which, although not on the grass verge, was obstructive.

He stated that he had asked the local police to monitor the area.

Paul Valek reported that it was considered that the newly introduced scheme, which included a double roundabout, would sufficiently address the safety problems in the vicinity of the school.  The effects of the scheme would be assessed.

Plans will be display in the Council Chamber from 6.45 pm and there will be an adjournment of the meeting for approximately 10 minutes to allow Members to study the plans

Geoff Cripps, Major Projects Manager, Kent County Council – Highways & Transportation, presented his report and drawings Nos. 331700/TC/001 to 004 referred to as “Background Documents” (drawings also included in the power point presentation which was published on the TDC website subsequent to this meeting).

Geoff pointed out that:

1. the date of Jacobs’ consultation report referred to in the background documents (and made available at the meeting) should read, “February 2012”, and not “January 2012”;

2. The opening date for the East Kent Phase 2, referred to at paragraph 1.10.1 of the report would be Wednesday, 23 May 2012;

3. An Order prohibiting Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGV’s), as referred to at paragraph 1.5.5 of the report, should be included in paragraph 1.6.7 and recommendation numbered (iii) at paragraph 1.12.1, along with the Traffic Regulation Orders (TRO’s). 

A discussion ensued, during which Members raised the issues of possible traffic congestion arising as a result of an emergency on any of the new roads and the protruding kerb at the Lord of the Manor roundabout, on its approach from Cliffsend.

Following discussion, it was, on the proposal of Councillor Wells, seconded by Councillor Bayford, AGREED TO RECOMMEND to the Cabinet Member for Environment, Highways and Waste, Kent County Council,  that approval be given:

1. to implement the traffic calming measures shown on Drawings Nos. 331700/TC/001 to 004 inclusive;

2. to assess the operational effectiveness of the traffic calming proposals and to report back to this Board six months after implementation;

3. that if valid written objections are received to the Traffic Regulation Orders for speed restrictions, or the Order prohibiting Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGV’s), the Area Manager, in consultation with the Chairman of this Board and the Cabinet Member for Environment, Highways and Waste, Kent County Council, give consideration to the objections and make a decision whether or not the TRO’s for speed restrictions or Order prohibiting HGV’s should be introduced.

Kelly Garrett, Transportation Engineer, Kent County Council – Highways & Transportation, presented her report and, in doing so, referred to the consultation results (Annex 2 to the report) and the revised drawings referred to at paragraph 1.5 of the report (Annex 3), which had been distributed to Board Members immediately prior to the meeting (and also published on TDC website).

It was noted that the consultation responses’ summary was as follows:

On the proposal of Councillor S Tomlinson, seconded by Councillor Wells, it was AGREED that the recommendation at Paragraph 3.1 of the report be adopted, namely:

“That the revised plans (as detailed in Annex 3) be approved for detailed design and construction”.

Kelly Garrett, Transportation Engineer, presented her report and it was AGREED, on the proposal of Councillor Bayford, who welcomed the proposed scheme, seconded by Councillor Hayton, that the recommendations as set out at Paragraph 5 of the report be adopted, namely:

1. that Members endorse the proposal to re-designate the footway as a shared use cycle track on the southern side of Westwood Road between Rumfields Road and Northwood Road;

2. that, pursuant to Section 66 (4) Highways Act 1980, Members endorse the removal of the footway identified in Appendix 1 to the report;

3. that, pursuant to Section 65 (1) of the Highways Act 1980, Members endorse Kent County Council constructing a shared pedestrian/cycle facility along the above-mentioned length of footway.

Ryan Shiel, Traffic Engineer, Kent County Council – Highways & Transportation, presented his report, making reference to the full summary of consultation responses, referred to at paragraph 2.5 of the report and circulated to Members just prior to the meeting (as well as published on the TDC website).

It was noted that the responses statistics were as follows:

On the proposal of Councillor E Green, who thanked the officers for their work, seconded by Councillor S Tomlinson, it was AGREED that the recommendation as set out at Paragraph 4.1 of the report be adopted, namely:

“That, based on the results of the public consultation and funding to be delivered by Councillor E Green, the scheme proceeds as outlined”.

Ryan Shiel, Traffic Engineer, KCC – H & T, presented his report and made reference to the consultation responses, referred to at Paragraph 2.5 of the report (Annex 2) and circulated to Members immediately prior to  the meeting (also published on the TDC website).

It was noted that the responses’ summary was as follows:

On the proposal of Councillor Green, who thanked officers for their work on the scheme, seconded by Councillor Alexandrou, it was AGREED that the recommendation as set out at paragraph 4.1 of the report be adopted, namely:

“That based on the results of the public consultation and funding to be fully delivered by Councillor E Green, the scheme proceeds as outlined”.

Ryan Shiel, Traffic Engineer, KCC – H & T, presented his report and referred to the consultation responses referred to at Paragraph 2.5 of the report and circulated to Members just prior to the meeting (also published on the TDC website).

The summary of the responses was noted as follows:

It was proposed by Councillor Hibberd, seconded by Councillor Wells, and AGREED that, based on funding to be fully delivered by Councillor Hibberd and the results of the consultation, the scheme proceeds as outlined at Paragraph 1.1 of the report.

Paragraph 2.3.1 of the report

Councillor Wells asked for a definition of an “unofficial parking space” and Councillor Jarvis enquired if a survey had been undertaken since 2005.

Paul Valek said he would pass these enquiries to the report author, Andrew Westwood, Traffic Manager, and report back to the Board.

The Kent Freight Action plan was NOTED.

Paul Valek provided updates as follows:

a)  Crescent Road, Birchington – Micro-asphalt  (Annex B5 – Weather Damage Reparis) – completed that day (15 March 2012)

b)  Garlinge Primary School– SRTS (Thanet)  (Annex C1 – Local Transport Plan Funded Schemes)  - now complete.

In response to queries by Members, information was provided as follows:

1. Ethelbert Crescent, Margate– the time limit for receiving an implementation date from the Contractor would expire within the next few weeks;

2. Nethercourt Hill, Ramsgate – 30 mph speed limit signs at bottom of hill – delivery of the signs were expected in the near future;

3. Pelican lights at crossing at “Pierremont’s”, Canterbury Road West – Ryan Shiel undertook to see what could be done to alleviate the brightness of the pelican lights.

Councillor E Green expressed reservation about dimming lights in built-up areas and, in response to a request from Councillor S Tomlinson, Paul Valek gave an assurance that Ward Councillors would be informed of any consultations on proposed changes in street lighting provision which would affect their wards.

It was AGREED that the Board endorses the proposals put forward in the report to the Environment Highways & Waste Policy Overview & Scrutiny Committee on 22 November 2011 (Annex 1 to the report to the Board).

Recommendation No. 2

Sowell Street j/w St Peter’s Road and Albion Road, Broadstairs

Councillor Wells stated out that, in his view, the proposed “No waiting at any time” stopped just short of the pinch point.

Robin Chantrill-Smith, Civil Enforcement Manager, Thanet District Council, undertook to see if the waiting restrictions could be extended.

On the proposal of Councillor Wells, seconded by Councillor Kirby, it was AGREED:

1. that, subject to the possibility of extending waiting restrictions at Sowell Street, j/w with St Peter’s Road and Albion Road, Broadstairs being investigated, the recommendations shown in Appendix 1 be approved;

2. that the proposals which require statutory consultation be advertised, and that any objections be reported back to a future meeting of the Board.

http://democracy.kent.gov.uk/documents/s27704/Item%20C4%20-%20Supported%20Bus%20Services.pdf

NOTED

http://democracy.kent.gov.uk/documents/s29334/Item%20C1%20-%20HMC%20and%20Highway%20Network%20Management.pdf

NOTED

http://democracy.kent.gov.uk/documents/s29340/Item%20C3%20-%20HT%20Enterprise%20Term%20Maintenance%20Contract.pdf

NOTED

http://democracy.kent.gov.uk/documents/s29342/Item%20C5%20-%20Growth%20without%20Gridlock%20-%20Update.pdf

NOTED

The next meeting of the Board will be held at 7.00 pm on Thursday, 14 June 2012.

It was NOTED that the next meeting of the Board would be held at 7.00 pm on Thursday, 14 June 2012.