Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor S Hart, for whom Councillor Johnston was present as substitute, and Mr J Kirby, Kent County Councillor.

To approve the Minutes of the Joint Transportation Board meeting held on 12 December 2012, copy attached.

The minutes of the meeting of the Board held on 12 December 2012 were approved and signed by the Chairman.

Minute No. 80a refers.

Upon considering the site plan (now published on the website),which had been circulated immediately prior to the meeting, Members expressed concern about the closeness of the proposed zebra crossing to the junction and bus stops.  They pointed out that that on previous occasions, requests for crossings, e.g. on Queen’s Street, Ramsgate, had been refused on the basis of proximity to junctions.

Paul Valek, District Manager, Kent County Council, Highways & Transportation, said he would refer those comments to the Transportation Engineer, Kent County Council, and report back to the Board.

Minute No. 80b refers

Paul Valek, District Manager, Kent County Council, Highways & Transportation, reported that:

1.  Mike Humber, Engineering & Technical Services Manager, Thanet District Council, had advised that developer funding was still being sought in relation to the toilet block; and

2.  Upon having recently visited the site, Kent County Council Structures had confirmed that it was safe; they would continue to monitor the situation development took place.

Paul Valek, District Manager, Kent County Council, Highways and Transportation, provided further updates as follows:

Appendix D1 – Local Transport Plan Funded Schemes

Northdown Road j/w Godwin Road

The comments made by Members earlier in the meeting (minute no. 88a above refers) would be taken back to the Transportation Engineer, Kent County Council.

Appendix D3 – Developer Funded Works

Margate Sea Defence, Margate

Works by Thanet District Council were due to be completed by the end of March 2013

The Centre, Newington

Phase 1 – comprising 75% of the scheme – due to be completed by the end of June 2013

Phase 2 – remaining 25% - due to be completed by September 2013

Westwood, Ramsgate – New Neighbouring Road Network

It was likely that works would be completed by the end of the summer.

Discussion then took place on the following items:

Appendix D3 Developer Funding Works

Ramsgate Road, Broadstairs

Hereson School – new access and zebra crossing on Ramsgate Road and new access to Merrivale Heights serving residential development

Members referred to:

1.  The fact that developers’ traffic was going through Merrivale Heights, which was  in contravention of one of the planning conditions agreed by the Thanet District Council Planning Committee;

2.  An apparent lack of communication between Kent Highways and Thanet DC Planning Department in relation to Kent Highways’ construction works at this location.

A specific inquiry was made as to whether it was proposed to continue the footpath in Merrivale Heights through to the new development.

Paul Valek undertook to refer Members’ concerns to Glen Holliday, Agreements Officer, Kent County Council, Highways and Transportation, with a view to ensuring that all parties acted in accordance with the planning agreement.  He would report back as soon as possible.  He also suggested that a site meeting should take place.

Appendix C – Street Lighting

It was pointed out by Members that some of the light columns identified in Appendix C as requiring replacement were also included in the list of columns earmarked for a trial switch off, on Appendix A (Annex 1) to the report at agenda item 7 (Minute No. 91 below refers).

John Burr, Director of Highways and Transportation, Kent County Council, Highways & Transportation, confirmed that where it was proposed to switch off lighting on a trial basis, the light columns would not be replaced.  The inclusion of the affected columns in Appendix C had been a clerical error.

Appendix D3 – Margate Sea Defence

Highway works associated with flood defence scheme

Councillor Johnston stated that she understood that there would be some funding left over from the sea defence works which, she suggested, could be put towards the cost of repairing the railings along the seafront.  She requested Kent Highways to work in partnership with Thanet District Council with a view to carrying out such repair works.

Paul Valek, who stressed that Kent Highways did not have funding available,  said that he would contact Mike Humber, Engineering & Technical Services Manager,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 89.

John Farmer, Major Capital Projects Manager, Kent County Council, Highways and Transportation, presented the report and provided further information as follows:

1.  Subject to monitoring confirming that the remedial works at Cottington Bridge had been successful, it was proposed to lift up the kerbs and safety barriers, and resurface the uneven area of carriageway in the early summer 2013.

2.  It was proposed to restrict the 50 mph speed limit zone to about 500 metres on either side of Cottington Bridge in the near future;

3.  The merging of two lanes of traffic into one, following exit from the Lord of the Manor roundabout onto Canterbury Road East would be reviewed, as would the signage, lane marking and timing of signals at the Lord of the Manor junction roundabout taking account of comments received from the public/Members.

4.  In the interests of consistency, it was proposed to investigate changing the 50 mph limit to 40 mph on the Canterbury Road West approaches to the residential area of Cliffsend (where there was a 30 mph limit).

Members expressed appreciation for John Farmer’s work in relation to the East Kent Access scheme, which, they commented, had brought about significant improvements to traffic flow and calming.

John Burr, Director of Highways & Transportation, Kent County Council, Highways and Transportation, presented the officers’ report, referring to the updated plan (circulated to Members immediately prior to the meeting and now published on the website), which showed three further proposed sites in relation to trial switch off; Eastern and Western Esplanades, Broadstairs and the Marina Esplanade, Ramsgate.  These sites were originally to be included in the trial switch off but were removed following a briefing with County Members in advance of the Joint Transportation Board (JTB).  Mr Burr confirmed that whilst he was keen that County Members were briefed, he did not intend for the proposals to be amended before the JTB itself.

Specific comments were made by Members as follows:

1.  Eastern and Western Esplanades

From the point of view of tourism, it was vital that esplanades were lit at night.

2.  Canterbury Road West

Local residents and Parish Councillors had expressed concern about switching off lights along Canterbury Road West, as there was no proper footway, safety measures had still to be put in place and some cars were reported to travel at 60 mph;

3.  Marina Esplanade

There was a CCTV camera in place in this area.

Several flats existed and new ones were being built.

Residents walked their dogs late in the evenings. 

There had been recent crime statistics.

The developer on site was installing three further cameras.

4.  Monkton & Minster

It appeared that neither the Monkton and Minster Parish Councils nor Thanet DC Community Safety Officers had been consulted.

Road proposed for switch off leads to Cummins which employs shift workers.  Noted that East Kent Access, in the vicinity, recently completed is not lit.

5.  Royal Approach Road

The Harbourmaster had advised that he had not been consulted.

There had been incidents of stones being washed onto the road from the sea. 

Heavy lorries used this road, and there are pedestrian crossing points present.

There had been reported problems associated with illegal immigrants and drugs.

6.  Green Lane

Used by night workers, farm workers, lone walkers and some evidence of vehicle breakdowns.

It was proposed by Councillor Johnston, seconded by Councillor H Scobie, that the report be withdrawn to enable Kent Highways to formally consult Monkton and Minster Parish Councils and the Community Safety Partnership.

On being put to the vote, this motion was declared LOST.

In response to Members’ queries, John Burr and Chris Hatcher (Project Manager) provided the following information:

a)  Turning off every other light along a carriageway was not an option.  As the human eye could not cope with repeated changes from darkness to light, it was vital that the level of light remained constant.

b)  Alternative forms of lighting, including LED, had been fully explored.  However, in view of their high cost and length of payback period (minimum of 15 years), none was found to be financially viable. Kent Highways would, however, continue to seek cost-effective options.

c)  Before introducing part-night lighting, every light column required to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 91.

Whilst Members welcomed the proposed parking restrictions in the vicinity of the QEQM Hospital, they recognised that parking problems could be pushed further out as a consequence.

Reference was made to requests from local residents for double yellow lines on Draper’s Avenue and Farley Road.  Robin Chantrill-Smith, Civil Enforcement Manager, Thanet District Council, said that he would raise those requests at his next meeting with the emergency services.

Members also stressed the importance of enforcement of waiting restrictions.

It was AGREED:

1.  That the recommendations listed in Annex 1 be approved;

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

The Chairman indicated that more feedback would be provided to the Board on these and future traffic management proposals than had been the case in the past.

Suggestions were made by Members, as follows:

a)  That bollards be put in place at the top of High Street, Margate to help with enforcement of pedestrianisation, particularly on Sundays. 

Paul Valek said he would consult Robin Chantrill-Smith, Civil Enforcement Manager, on this suggestion and respond direct to Councillor M Tomlinson.

b)  That traders in High Street, Margate, be fully consulted on the pedestrianisation proposals.

It was AGREED:

1.  That the Board supports the officer’s recommendations and instructs officers to consult on the proposals to make the operation of the pedestrian areas in Margate and Ramsgate Town Centres common to 10:00 to 17:00 hours every day;

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

It was AGREED to endorse the terms of the draft agreement set out at Annex 2 to the report.