Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

There were no declarations of interests.

To approve the Minutes of the Joint Transportation Board meeting held on 27 March 2014, copy attached.

It was NOTED that the second part of Minute No. 32 (page 1 of the minutes) should read:

“PETITIONS

“At this stage of the meeting, and upon being invited to do so by the Chairman, Councillor Fenner presented to Paul Valek, District Manager, Kent County Council Highways & Transportation, two petitions:  one requesting traffic calming measures at Cecilia Road, Ramsgate and the other requesting closure to through traffic of Honeysuckle Road, Ramsgate.”

It was AGREED, on the proposal of Councillor K Gregory, seconded by Councillor D Saunders, that, subject to that amendment, the minutes of the meeting held on 27 March 2014 be approved and signed by the Chairman.

The Chairman read a statement received from Councillor Binks, who was unable to attend the meeting to speak under Council Procedure Rule 24.1, as follows:

“I have been asked by some residents to help them voice their objections to the planned pedestrianisation.  Whilst there is understanding of the benefits of this scheme, the major objection is the removal of parking for Blue Badge holders.  I respectfully ask the Members to take on board the concerns of a number of residents and to consider whether these concerns can be mitigated in any way, before making their recommendations to Kent County Council”.

During consideration of the officer’s report, the following points were referred to:

1.  There were several locations near to Victoria Parade which were suitable for parking by Blue Badge holders, for example, at Dickens Pub (where there were 2 designated bays); at Albion Hotel, Chandos Square and John Road;

2.  Were the tables and chairs outside of Dickens Pub licensed on an annual basis or for specific events, for example, Dickens Week and Folk Week?

Paul Valek replied that the use of the tables and chairs were licensed on an annual basis.  Conditions of licence would ensure that tables and chairs were positioned in such a way as not to obstruct access for delivery or emergency service vehicles.

It was proposed by Mrs Wiltshire, seconded by Councillor K Gregory and AGREED:

“THAT the recommendation at paragraph 4.1 of the officer’s report be adopted, namely:

‘That, based on the petition for a pedestrianized zone and funding for the works having been secured, the scheme proceed as outlined in the report’”.

Paul Valek, District Manager, Kent County Council Highways and Transportation, presented the Programme.  Additional issues were raised as follows:

1.  Resurfacing: 

Paul Valek reported that:

a)  extra funding was now available to enable High Street, Broadstairs to be resurfaced in its entirety, Monkton Roundabout and Northdown Park Road from Millmead Road to Foreland Avenue;

b)  Northdown Road, Margate would be next on the list of priorities, but works would have to proceed on a section by section basis due to the length of the road and may have to wait for new funding in the next financial year.

c)  Station Road, Westgate-on-Sea - between its junctions with St Mildreds Road and Roxburgh Road, and St Mildreds Road, Westgate – between Station Road and Westgate Bay Avenue - were due to be resurfaced this summer.

In response to a query from Mr Heale, Paul Valek undertook to consult Ryan Sheil, Traffic Engineer (Member Highway Fund Team) and his team regarding remedial works in Wellington Crescent, Westgate-on-Sea, and report back to Mr Heale.

2.  Drainage Repairs and Improvements

Councillor S Hart’s comments regarding flooding issues in the vicinity of the junction of Prices Avenue with Northdown Road were noted by Paul Valek.

3.  Street Lighting

A member pointed out that street lights were reportedly being switched off at 12.30 pm at Windermere Avenue, Ramsgate.  Paul Valek suggested that queries in relation to the street lighting switch-off scheme be made direct to Sue Kinsella, Street Lighting Manager.  He explained that phase one of the scheme, being the switch off, had taken place in March and April of this year and that phase two, being the part night switch off, was taking place now in Thanet.

Sally Benge, Strategic Transport and Development Planner, made reference to the consultation responses circulated to Members immediately prior to the meeting (now published as part of the meeting details on Thanet District Council’s website).

During discussion, reference was made to:  the need for the new scheme to be self-enforcing; the footpath at the opposite side of Monkton Road having resulted in vehicles being forced to park along Taylor Road, which, in turn, obstructed access for Stagecoach buses; and parking reportedly still occurring on both sides of Taylor Road.

Sally Benge said that she was aware of the difficulties posed by the footpath along Monkton Road caused, particularly for larger vehicles turning at the junction with Tothill Street.  However, the double bus lay-by that had been installed at the junction of High Street with Monkton Road should help clear the way for lorries and buses.

In response to a Member’s query, Sally Benge explained that the parking bays could not extend along the whole of Taylor Road because of the need to provide free access to private driveways.

It was proposed by Councillor K Gregory, seconded by Mrs Wiltshire and AGREED:

“THAT works progress as outlined in the report”.

Robin Chantrill-Smith, Civil Enforcement Manager, presented the report and responded to Members’ queries and comments as follows:

1.  Queens Gardens, Westcliff Avenue & Victoria Parade, Broadstairs: 

Robin Chantrill-Smith would review the provision of disabled parking bays in the vicinity of Queens Gardens.

2.  Queen Street, j/w Cliff Street, Ramsgate:

This scheme would include the implementation of a loading ban.

The report was NOTED.