Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Aldred for whom Councillor C Hart was present as a substitute. Apologies were also received from Councillor Hovenden and her substitute Councillor Bransfield, Councillor Clark, and Councillor Elenor.

It was NOTED from Paul Valek that no petitions had been received by Kent County Council Highways and Transportation, since the previous meeting of the Board.

Mr Valek, on behalf of KCC, took receipt of a petition submitted by Councillor Fenner and Councillor Poole.

To approve the Minutes of the Joint Transportation Board meeting held on 18 September 2014, copy attached.

It was proposed by Councillor D Saunders, seconded by Councillor K Gregory, and AGREED that the minutes of the meeting held on 18 September 2014 be approved and signed by the Chairman.

Kate Wilson, Community Regeneration Officer, Thanet District Council, presented the report noting the proposal to relocate the weekly Margate market from the High Street to Cecil Square.

In response to comments and questions from Members Kate Wilson stated that:

1.  Market stall holders would be contacted as part of the consultation process.

2.  On market days, the taxi rank would be moved to the entrance of Cecil Square and the area would be closed to general traffic.  This would leave Taxi’s with less space to manoeuvre however the Taxi drivers appeared optimistic about the change as they hoped the market’s presence in Cecil Square would generate additional business.

The report was NOTED.

Ann Carruthers, Head of Strategic Planning, Kent County Council, introduced the report identifying the proposal for a new Parkway station between Minster and Ramsgate stations.  She advised that the next step would be to begin a consultation process in February 2015.

In response to comments and questions from Members, Ann Carruthers, stated that:

1.  While the Parkway station concept was partly intended to support Manston Airport, the overall objective was to encourage economic regeneration, and the modelling of the viability of the Parkway station had not assumed any activity on the Manston site.

2.  A transport impact assessment would be undertaken to determine the impact on the roads around the station site.

3.  Network Rail had provided assurance that no stations would be closed as a result of the opening of a Parkway station.

4.  The number of car parking spaces needed to be future proof, but must not overshoot the number required.

The report was NOTED.

Sally Benge, Strategic Transport and Development Planner, Kent County Council, presented the report highlighting proposals to reduce areas of congestion and improve highway safety in the High Street and Monkton Road, Minster.

It was suggested by a Member that the public car parks in Minster would benefit from improved signage and lighting, this was noted by Paul Valek.

It was proposed by Councillor Terry, seconded by Councillor Gregory and AGREED that works progress as outlined in the report.

Paul Valek, District Manager, Kent County Council Highways, Transportation and Waste Service, introduced the report, and noted that most of the works had been completed, which he advised was to be expected at that stage of the financial year. Paul Valek provided a verbal update as follows:

Surface Dressing

All complete with the exception of Cottington Road which would be postponed until Summer 2015 due to gas works.

Micro Asphalt Schemes

All complete.

Machine Resurfacing

Largely complete, Northdown Park Road, Northdown Road and the A299/A253 Monkton roundabout, were scheduled for spring 2015.

Northdown Road, from Zion place to Harold Road, was a new site that had been added to the scheme as a result of extra funding from the Department for Transport.

Footway Improvement

Callis Court Road, works were on-going and due for completion in mid-February.

Drainage Repairs & Improvements

A number of works had been completed including works to stop flooding on Sandwich Road.

Street Lighting

The list detailed the column replacement works underway and completed.

Developer Funded Works

A number of works were complete or underway.  The link road between New Haine Road and Margate Road, as a result of the Sainsbury’s development, was due for completion in 2015.

Transportation and Safety Schemes

Most of the sites were complete, a new pedestrian crossing would be installed outside Charles Dickens School in 2015.

Member Highway Fund

Applications had been received from Members, although many were still at design stage, further information was available on the individual Member update sheets and online.

In response to questions and comments from Members, Paul Valek stated:

1.  Works had been completed regarding drainage in Zion Place.

2.  Once works were complete on Sandwich Road and the mini roundabout was installed it should be clearer for motorists.

3.  Old blocked soak-a-ways were usually blocked by a build-up of silt, this would be dug out and the drainage holes cleared to increase their capacity, in cases where clearing is not possible, they were replaced with perforated concrete rings up to eight or nine meters deep.

The Highway Works Programme was NOTED.

Paul Valek introduced the report which outlined the arrangements made between Kent Country Council and Thanet District Council in the event of a snow emergency.

Members would receive a copy of the Local Winter Service Plan for Thanet by email after the meeting.

The report was NOTED.

Robin Chantrill-Smith, Civil Enforcement Manager, Thanet District Council, presented the report, he noted that a number of requests had been received over the last few months.

It was proposed by Councillor Wiltshire, seconded by Councillor M Saunders and AGREED:

1.  THAT the recommendations shown at Annex 1 be approved;

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

Robin Chantrill-Smith introduced the report, noting that it was an updated version of the report that had gone to previous Board meetings.

In response to concern from a Member about cars parking on the pavement in Harbour Street, Ramsgate, Robin Chantrill-Smith advised that Thanet District Council had been involved in a joint operation with the Police to address the issue.

The report was NOTED.

Robin Chantrill-Smith introduced the report.

It was proposed by Councillor Gregory, seconded by Councillor D Saunders, and AGREED:

1.  THAT the parking place for disabled persons’ vehicles as listed in Annex 1 be exposed for formal public consultation;

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

The next meeting of the Board will be held at 7.00 pm on Wednesday, 19 March 2015.

It was NOTED that the next meeting of the Board would be held at 7.00 pm on Tuesday, 19 March 2015.