Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from the Vice-Chairman, Councillor Alexandrou, for whom Councillor Edwards was present as substitute, and Messrs Bayford, Hibberd & Wells, Members of Kent County Council.

An apology for lateness was received from Councillor M Tomlinson.

Councillor S Hart handed to Paul Valek, District Manager, Kent County Council Highways and Transportation, a petition from residents, requesting that a speed camera be provided at College Road, Margate.

There were no declarations of interest.

To approve the Minutes of the Joint Transportation Board meeting held on 15 March 2012, copy attached.

On the proposal of Councillor H Scobie, seconded by Councillor S Tomlinson, the minutes of the meeting held on 15 March 2012 were approved and signed by the Chairman.

Minute No. 58 refers

The update was NOTED.

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

• in her view, railings were now in a very dangerous condition;

• to her knowledge, Harvey Patterson, Corporate & Regulatory Services Manager and Monitoring Officer, Thanet District Council, was still awaiting a response from Kent County Council regarding the issue of ownership.

In reply, Paul Valek, District Manager stated that:

• subsequent to the last Board meeting, he had inspected the railings and had found them to be safe;

• he would be happy to meet with Councillor Johnston and Mr Jarvis, Kent County Councillor, on site;

• he would take up with his manager the matter of the non-response to Harvey Patterson’s letter.

An updated Member Highway Fund Monthly Report [New Annex 1, now published on the TDC website] was tabled at the meeting. 

It was NOTED from Mr Hayton, Kent County Councillor, that Project numbered 16900395 to install two pairs of 30 mph interactive signs in Stone Road/Bishop Avenue, Broadstairs would be financed out of his fund, rather than that of Mr Bayford, Kent County Councillor.

Paul Valek, District Manager, updated Members on projects included in the Programme as follows:

Annex B1 – Carriageway Schemes

1. Royal Parade, Ramsgate – Leopold Street to Madeira Walk – Works programmed early October 2012

2. Beacon Road, Broadstairs  - Awaiting programme dates to be confirmed

Annex B2 – Footway Schemes

St Crispin’s Road, Westgate – works now two-thirds’ complete

The meeting was left open to Members’ questions, in response to which Paul Valek provided the following information:

a)  Annex D1 – Bridge Works – Andrews Passage, Margate

There has been no change in the situation: the area has been made safe; the scaffolding could remain in place for up to two years; and permanent repair works would cost in the region of £150,000 to £152,000.

b)  Annex A1 – Micro Asphalt – Victoria Road, Margate

The scheme had been deferred owing to gas works taking place at the same location.  It was hoped to commence the project either later this year or early in the next financial year.

Roads requiring remedial works

Paul Valek advised that a list of roads had now been drawn up for each ward, identifying the roads that would benefit most from remedial works.  The list had been provided to County Members and it was hoped that the remedial works could take place either this or the next financial year.

The Chairman congratulated Highways and Transportation on the swift way in which snow had been cleared from the main roads over the last winter period and asked that the Board’s appreciation be conveyed to the Highways and Transportation team.

The Thanet Winter Service Plan 2012/13 was NOTED.

Nina Peak, Partnership Manager, South Eastern Railway, and Graham Tanner, Sustainable Transport Team Leader, Kent County Council Highways & Transportation, outlined the main features of the two schemes, as referred to in the report.

1.  ENHANCEMENTS – MARGATE RAILWAY STATION FORECOURT

It was also NOTED:

a)  that this scheme layout was consistent with that proposed in the Seafront Master Plan for Margate;

b)  that the station forecourt would be “opened up” in such a way as to enhance sea views at this “gateway to Margate”.

(Councillor M Tomlinson entered the meeting at this stage)

In answer to Members’ queries, information was provided as follows:

1. It was expected that the scheme would be finished before the next summer season begins.

2. Stagecoach Group have no immediate plans to serve the main station bus stop as they felt that, despite the improved bus turning facilities, pulling in and out of the station would add too much time to their end to end journey times. 

3. Graham Tanner noted Members’ request for a pedestrian island on the A28 Canterbury Road (to facilitate pedestrians commuting from the station to the main bus stops and vice versa).  A complementary scheme to improve connectivity between the station and the main bus route along the A28 Canterbury Road, including an additional pedestrian island, had been outline designed.  However, this was outside the scope of the available funding for the Station Forecourt and additional funds would be required to progress this.

4. The number of car parking places at the station would be unaffected by the scheme.

5. The station forecourt resurfacing would be predominantly asphalt, not the high quality block paving inferred by the Seafront Master Plan outline drawings.  Funding available for the forecourt prohibits the extensive use of high quality block paving.

2.  ENHANCEMENTS – RAMSGATE RAILWAY STATION FORECOURT

In response to questions from Members, Graham Tanner and Nina Peak stated that:

a)  consultation on the scheme would be taking place with local residents;

b)  measures would be put in place to make Station Approach Road safer for pedestrians to cross;

c)  there would be a minimal loss, if any, in car parking spaces;

d)  National Rail website would provide details on availability of disabled parking facilities.

Ms Elizabeth Green, Kent County Councillor, requested that forecourt enhancements, such as the provision of mature trees, be included in the scheme.

Board feedback on the two schemes

It was AGREED:

1. that the foregoing comments be submitted in writing to Graham Tanner and Nina Peak;

2. that if any Board Member had further comments on either of the schemes, they should forward these to the Officers direct.

Cycle markings

In speaking under Council Procedure Rule 24.1, Councillor Johnston referred to the loss, over time, of cycle markings along the Margate seafront.

Paul Valek, District Manager, stated that he would be happy to look into this as a separate issue.

Adoption of report

On the proposal of Councillor Hayton, seconded by Councillor S Tomlinson, it was AGREED that the Board supports the project as summarised in the report.

The Highway Tracker Survey for 2011 was NOTED.

Reports relating to Items 10a to 10e below can be viewed at the links provided.

At the meeting, there will be an opportunity for Board members to raise queries on these reports.

1.  Fees & Charges for Highways & Transportation PDF 67 KB

      ? Item B1 - Appendix 1 , item B1PDF 89 KB

Reference was made to the seemingly low cost of obtaining a licence for the placing of tables and chairs on the pavement and the fact that the cost had remained the same for several years.

Paul Valek, District Manager, referred to the difficulty of enforcement in relation to table and chair licensing, especially as it required a lot of resources.

It was also pointed out by Members that vehicles had been known to park on areas of the footpath covered by table and chair licences/

Robin Chantrill-Smith, Civil Enforcement Manager, Thanet District Council stated that, whereas Thanet Council could enforce parking on pavements behind zig-zag lines, all other illegal parking on footpaths was a matter for the police to enforce.

Managing Events on the Highway PDF 89 KB

Reference was made to the seeming inconsistency as between the provision of resources to cover events in Margate and those provided to other areas, such as Deal and Herne Bay.

Paul Valek, District Manager, stated that the same criteria should apply across the whole of the county. 

Cars for sale and parking of mobile homes

Robin Chantrill-Smith, Civil Enforcement Manager, undertook to pass on information to Mr Kirby, Kent County Councillor, relating to parking of cars for sale on the highway, and to enquire as to the position regarding the parking of mobile homes, and report back.

1.  Bold Steps for Aviation - a Kent County Council discussion document PDF 64 KB

    ?  Item D2 - Appendix , item D2PDF 665 KB

NOTED

Policy Development for 20mph Schemes in Kent PDF 78 KB

Mr Jarvis, Kent County Councillor, pointed out that 20 mph schemes were being piloted at Maidstone.

Member Highway Fund - Public Rights of Way Schemes PDF 63 KB

NOTED

The next meeting of the Board will be held at 7.00 pm on Wednesday, 12 December 2012.

It was NOTED that the next meeting of the Board would take place at 7.00pm on Wednesday, 12 December 2012.