ITEM 10 Bramling Quarry

A report by the North East Area Manager to the Highways Advisory Board on 9 March 2004. ______

Introduction

1. Following concerns about the potential impact of lorry traffic to fill an existing quarry, Joint Transportation Board have recommended that a width restriction be implemented on certain roads. Their recommendation was against officer advice. Its effect would be to remove the potential nuisance from those who originally raised their concerns, but would be outweighed by a much greater overall adverse impact on the community. The quarry operator has also indicated that he will consider legal action for compensation, if the restriction is implemented.

Background

2. Permission was given for chalk extraction, and subsequent refilling, at Bramling Quarry in the 1950s. No conditions on haulage routes were imposed at the time, and legally none can be placed now under the planning legislation. The proposed infill is inert material (soil etc) which will be generated mainly from the Canterbury area, but also from the Dover or Thanet areas. The fill and restoration of the quarry must be completed within 5 years of completion of chalk extraction, but there is a small amount of chalk still remaining. The County Council is keen to see the pit filled, as it represents a potential safety hazard in its present state. The Operator has indicated an average of some 12 – 20 lorries a day, although this will fluctuate, depending on workload. Filling operations started in early January 2004.

3. The quarry is served by a network of narrow country lanes – none of which could be regarded as “suitable” (see Figure 1). During the extraction phase of the quarry, lorries accessed the site from the A2 dual carriageway, via Poor Start Lane and Bramling Road (east), Because of the narrowness of all of the lanes in the area, the exit from the quarry was via a different route – to create an informal one way system – thus avoiding two quarry lorries needing to pass each other. Extraction of the chalk was carried out over the years, without any apparent problems – or complaints from local residents.

4. There are 5 potential points of access from A and B roads into the network of country lanes that lead to the quarry. However, none of these lanes are wide enough for two lorries to pass each other on a regular basis, and therefore some form of informal one- way system will be needed for lorry movements to/from the quarry.

• The operator has discounted Station Road, at its junction with B2046 Adisham Road as the visibility from the junction is limited in both directions.

• Love Lane, Adisham has reasonable visibility onto the B2046 and sufficient width for HGVs to be able to make the turns without encroaching onto the opposite carriageway.

• The junction of Bramling Road with the A257 is not ideal, but could be used for left in and left out turns with care. There is the potential for crashes on the A257 where the speed limit is the national limit, and the junction is on a bend.

10.1 Bramling Quarry ______

• Poor Start Lane has a substandard junction off the A2 and has no acceleration or deceleration lanes. The junction is hidden by a dip in the road until a vehicle is about 200 metres away. If an HGV were to be slowing to turn in there is potential for high- speed rear end shunts, and if an HGV were to be turning out there is potential for high speed side impact crashes.

• Coldharbour Lane has a high standard, fully grade separated junction that has been constructed to cope with all sizes of vehicles. The first half of the road has been widened to provide HGV access to the nearby Cold Store, but the remaining section is narrow with high hedges. A width restriction implemented many years ago (to prevent inadvertent use by foreign lorry drivers seeking the nearby Cold Store) currently prevents lorry use in the narrow section.

5. When a new operator (Ovenden) was preparing the quarry for refilling, a local resident of Poor Start Lane raised concerns, which were supported by Parish Council, and the Canterbury HU were asked to investigate. The HU recommended to the JTB (March 03) that the best access was via the adjacent Coldharbour Lane (see Figure 1). However, Coldharbour Lane had had a width restriction imposed on part of its length – to ensure that the international HGVs serving the nearby coldstore only gain access to/from the A2. Hence the HU proposal was for an amendment to the order, to allow exemption to specific operators, by permission of the HU manager. This proposal was not accepted by the JTB.

6. A subsequent meeting with Dover HU Manager, City Council and Parish Council Members affected by the operation (except ) proposed lorry bans on several roads (including Poor Start Lane, Coldharbour Lane & Bramling Road (n) at the A257 junction) and this was put to the JTB in June 03. On officer advice no decision was taken, due to the impracticality of the remaining route to the quarry.

7. A subsequent meeting of officers of the HU, KCC and the Police with Ovendens, agreed that the best option for access – taking account of road safety, the number of properties affected, and practical considerations of road widths, passing bays etc - would be :-

Coldharbour Lane / Bramling Road (inbound only) Adisham downs Road / Love Lane (normally only outbound) Left in / left out at the Bramling Road / A257 junction

This option was put to the JTB in September 03, but was rejected. The JTB decided instead to recommend a width restriction on Poor Start Lane, whilst maintaining the restriction in Coldharbour Lane. This order was duly advertised.

8. Objections to the TRO on Poor Start Lane were considered at the JTB on 21 st October. Objections from Ovendens, The Road Haulage association, the Police & PC were considered, but it was decided to recommend to the Area Manager (who has delegated powers to implement the TRO) that the order should be made – subject to him being satisfied that the order met the legal requirements This latter qualification was because there was some doubt about the validity of the proposed JTB recommendation, as it differed significantly from the technical solution recommended by the officers & police. The Operator had indicated his view that the Highway Authority would be liable for compensation claims, if the Order were to proceed.

10.2 Bramling Quarry ______

9. After the JTB consideration, a number of additional objections to the proposal emerged. In particular, Wingham Parish Council, and residents of Bramling have objected to the use of roads in their area by quarry traffic. Subsequent investigations have highlighted that the formal consultation on the order was not as widespread as desirable. Due to an administrative error, it was wrongly thought that the quarry was within the boundaries of Bekesbourne PC, whereas it is actually just within the boundaries of Ickham and Well PC (who were not consulted). Ickham and Well PC have subsequently been in contact with Canterbury HU and have forwarded their views in writing. This information has been taken into account in this report.

Discussion

10. The Area Manager has now carried out a complete review of the situation, in conjunction with the HU – including taking account of all of the subsequent objections received. The conclusion is that the JTB recommendation did not fully take account of the wider implications on surrounding areas – some of which are in the Dover District - and that it does not represent the best solution in terms of road safety, impact on local properties, or practicality.

11. None of the lanes in the area are suitable for such traffic, but Ovendens have valid permission to fill the quarry. Further, it is desirable for it to be filled. The best overall strategy needs, therefore to be evolved.

12. Given the narrowness of the lanes, it is very desirable for the operator to maintain an informal one way system – to avoid his lorries needing to pass each other. Even with such a system, however, there will be occasions when other large vehicles will need to pass the operator’s lorries in the narrow lanes. It is neither desirable, nor practical, to try to impose a formal one way system on the lanes in the area, and so it will be necessary to rely on the series of informal passing places which have evolved over the years along most of these lanes. The HU is currently investigating the condition of these passing places, and if necessary minor remedial work will be undertaken.

13. There is a general local acceptance that the route for lorries leaving the quarry would normally be via Love Lane to the B2046/A2. The main point of issue, therefore, is the access to the quarry.

14. Currently, pending resolution of this issue, the operator is using a route consisting of the A2, the B2046 through Wingham, the A257 through Wingham Well, and the Bramling Road West to reach the quarry. Taking the start of the Bridge Bypass as a reference point, this involves a journey length of some 11½ miles, and takes the lorries past about 90 houses – including the centre of Wingham.

15. In comparison, routing via Coldharbour Lane would mean a journey length of 3½ miles to the quarry - passing five houses – and via Poor Start Lane would be a journey length of 4½ miles, passing five houses. It is concluded, therefore, that the use of either Coldharbour Lane or Poor Start Lane is far preferable to a route through Wingham/Wingham Well.

16. Poor Start Lane is the historical route to the quarry, during extraction of the chalk – albeit that smaller vehicles may have been involved. However, the junction with the A2 Trunk Road is poor, in terms of road safety.

10.3 Bramling Quarry ______

17. In contrast, the grade separate junction of Coldharbour Lane with the A2 Trunk Road provides a high quality, and much safer, facility. In addition, Coldharbour Lane has been improved in the past over nearly half its length – to provide heavy lorry access to the Coldstore. The disadvantage of the use of Coldharbour Lane is the narrowness of the remaining section, which has had a width restriction imposed in the past (although, this width restriction was primarily introduced to prevent foreign lorry drivers turning the wrong way when leaving the Coldstore). Coldharbour Lane is also likely to have a greater number of walkers and cyclists.

18. In terms of road safety, and minimising the impact on local properties and residents, the best option would be :-

Coldharbour Lane / Bramling Road (inbound only) Adisham downs Road / Love Lane (normally only outbound) Left in / left out at the Bramling Road / A257 junction.

If this strategy were to be adopted, it is proposed that the width restriction on Coldharbour Lane be amended to allow a temporary exception to Ovenden for the purposes of filling the quarry only. This will require the promotion of an amendment to the existing TRO. All other lorries would continue to be banned.

19. If Coldharbour Lane was not to be used, then Poor Start Lane should continue to be used for access to the quarry.

County Planning Views

20. Bramling Quarry is along established business operation, which operates under planning permissions that date from 1955. The permissions provide for both extraction of chalk and subsequent restoration of the site through the infilling of the void created. The long planned restoration involves the importation of these materials. The permission requires that restoration be completed within 5 years of the completion of chalk extraction, or by 2042, whichever is the earlier.

The Bramling operations, be they chalk extraction or infill restoration, are not subject to limitation of vehicle movements. The permission does not prescribe a specific route to access/exit the Quarry. Hence the Quarry operators have operated an informal lorry routing for a number of years. This informal routing has not been problematic.

Whilst constituting a legitimate business operation, it is recognised that this old quarry does not fit well with modern highway and planning consideration or community expectations.

The review of the planning permission under the Environment Act 1995 considered this past legacy and placed an end date of 2042 on the site, for both extraction and restoration. The Review also aims to minimise local impacts by not providing for extraction and restoration infill occurring together. The one follows the other. It is understood that chalk extraction is at or near completion. This being the case restoration of the site has to be completed within the next five years. The early completion should provide the end point to local traffic movements generated from Bramling Quarry.

10.4 Bramling Quarry ______

Consultation

21. Local Member Views

Martin Vye (Canterbury South) – 1) I recognise that the Ovenden’s use of the quarry is legitimate, but I must make the point that it is ridiculous that legislation allows a planning application to remain dormant, but valid for 50 years. Conditions can change dramatically, and in this case, of course, lorries have vastly increased in size, thus making their impact on the access roads and surrounding communities very much greater.

2) I have to defend the interests of the people I represent as County Councillor. Bekesbourne village itself is protected by an existing restriction, and therefore the site cannot legally be accessed via the Bridge turn-off from the A2, nor from Littlebourne via Bekesbourne Road, Adisham Village (Station Road, The Street, and Woodlands Road) is not so protected, and I press most urgently for an appropriate restriction to be placed on those roads. This leaves, so far as my county division is concerned, Love Lane, Coldharbour Lane and Poor Start Lane.

3) Back in April 2003, at the conference held at the City Council Offices, I accepted that Ovenden lorries should be routed via the B2046, Love Lane, the top of Pond Hill, and Adisham Downs Road. I did this unwillingly, as this route would affect residents of Bossington, as they used their only exit onto Love Lane, Flybridge Cottages on Adisham Downs Road, and Adisham House – a home for people with learning disabilities at the top of Pound Hill. However, I accepted it, on condition that necessary works were done, as the least worst option.

4) Coldharbour Lane has a restriction placed on it already, beyond the entrance to the Highland Court Industrial Estate. I assume that this was done to prevent heavy lorries being attracted by the easy access from the A2 into taking cross-country runs via that route. If this restriction were lifted, it would open up those runs to lorries other than those owned by Ovendens. The main part of Coldharbour Lane is very narrow, between high banks and hedges, and has two cottages halfway down its length. It is also much used as part of a route from across the country by car drivers accessing the A2, and going to work at Highland Court : confrontation would be inevitable.

5) Poor Start Lane is narrow, with a sharp ninety degree bend halfway down, suffers from poor sight lines at the access from the A2, and in my view has considerable amenity value as a quiet country lane. Both of these routes converge on Bramling Road West, to which there are a further two residential properties, and part of which carries Cycle Route 16.

6) I recognise that Ovendens lorries would have to use the route via the A257 and Bramling on one leg of their journey, if neither Coldharbour Lane nor Poor Start Lane are available. Clearly, the Cabinet Member will have to weigh up the relative negative impact of these two access routes, and make his decision. I would only ask that, whichever route is chosen, necessary passing places, and strengthening of road edges, and, in the case of Pond Hill and Adisham House, footway, be given high priority in the highway authority’s spending plans.

John Simmonds (Canterbury North) – No views received.

10.5

Bramling Quarry ______

Leyland Ridings (Sandwich) – Is very concerned that these lorries are currently passing through the centre of Wingham, on both safety and amenity grounds. He is also concerned about the environmental impact on the area generally of such a lengthy and tortuous route to the quarry. He believes that a route directly from the A2 would be the best solution.

The Way Forward

22. There are 4 main options for the Board to consider :-

i) Confirm the Order recommended by Canterbury JTB, for a lorry restriction on Poor Start Lane. Advantages : No potential conflict with JTB Quick to implement Disadvantages: Affects greater number of people Possible legal challenge from those who consider they were not properly consulted Possible legal challenge / claim from quarry operator

ii) Promote the alternative proposals suggested in Para 18, ie access via Coldharbour Lane. Advantages : Safest option Fewer properties / residents directly affected Minimises the lorry route through the countryside Maximise the use of better roads & junctions (A2/Coldhrbour Lane) Disadvantages: Requires amendment to established Coldharbour Lane TRO, to allow HU to give exemption for specific Operators access Possible conflict with JTB Would take time to consult / implement

iii) Promote some other access strategy.

iv) Do Nothing ie do not confirm the TRO, and continue with the current access arrangements which have been used over the years during the chalk extraction ie access in from A2/Poor Start Lane, and out via Love Lane/B2046.

Advantages : Continues the status quo No direct action required Allows the actual impact to be evaluated, once the refilling operations start Disadvantages: Access to Poor Start Lane from A2 not as safe as Coldharbour Lane Possible conflict with JTB

If either of options ii), iii) or iv) are chosen, it is recommended that any objections are considered by this Board – due to the fact that the area straddles two District Council areas.

10.6 Bramling Quarry ______

Conclusions

23. None of the access routes to the quarry are ideal. However, the operators have a valid planning permission, and the quarry does need filling. Taking account of road safety, lorry journey lengths, and impact on local residents and the environment, it is concluded that main access via Coldharbour Lane/Bramling Road is the best of the options available. This would allow the lorry restriction on Poor Start Lane, as advertised, to be implemented.

24. Subject to the views of this Board, it is proposed to recommend to the Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport that (i) an amendment to the width restriction TRO in Coldharbour Lane be promoted, so that the quarry operator be granted temporary exemption from the width restriction for the purposes of filling the quarry only (option (ii) paragraph 22). (ii) subject to achieving (i), the proposed lorry restriction in Poor Start Lane be implemented as advertised..

Accountable Officer – Brian Carter (01227) 825359

Background Documents – File Reference D3/SW/24 – File available for Members’ inspection prior to meeting.

Figure 1 attached.

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