Public Document Pack Gravesham Joint Transportation Board
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Public Document Pack Gravesham Joint Transportation Board Members of the Gravesham Joint Transportation Board of Gravesham Borough Council are summoned to attend a meeting to be held at the Civic Centre, Gravesend, Kent on Wednesday, 10 September 2008 at 7.00 pm when the business specified in the following agenda is proposed to be transacted. Sarah Kilkie Assistant Director (Communities) Agenda Part A Items likely to be considered in Public 1. Apologies 2. To sign the minutes of the previous meeting held on 18 June - minutes (Pages 1 - 10) herewith. 3. To declare any interests members may have in the items contained on this agenda. When declaring an interest members should state what their interest is. 4. To consider whether any items in Part A of the agenda should be considered in private or those (if any) in Part B in public Reports In accordance with the principle adopted by other JTB’s it is assumed that members are familiar with the reports submitted and officers will not be required to introduce reports. 5. Highway and Transportation Scheme: Progress report 2008/09 herewith. (Pages 11 - 16) 6. Manor Road, Gravesend - report herewith. (Pages 17 - 20) 7. Satellite Navigation Devices (Satnav) - report herewith. (Pages 21 - 24) 8. A2 Pepperhill to Cobham Widening Scheme - report herewith. (Pages 25 - 26) Civic Centre, Windmill Street, Gravesend Kent DA12 1AU 9. New Cycle track to North West Kent College in Dering Way - report (Pages 27 - 30) herewith. 10. A227 Wrotham Road - report herewith. (Pages 31 - 32) 11. Verge Parking: Consultation - report herewith. (Pages 33 - 46) 12. Petition for Bays in Grange Road, Gravesend - report herewith. (Pages 47 - 62) 13. Petition - Parking Martins Close, Lower Higham - report herewith. (Pages 63 - 64) 14. Highways Board Reports - submitted for information only (please note there (Pages 65 - 92) will be no discussion on these items). 1. Quiet Surfacing Prioritisation Methology. 2. Traffic Regulation Order: Electronic Consultation. 3. Capital Works for 2008/09 Assessment, Strengthening and Structural Maintenance of Structures. 4. 20 MPH Speed limits outside schools. 5. 2007 End of year crash and casualty numbers and progress against National 2010 Casualty Targets. 6. Smarter Choices – 2008 Progress Report. 15. Any Other Business which by reason of special circumstances the Chairman is of the opinion should be considered as a matter of urgency. 16. Exclusion To move, if required, that pursuant to Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 that the public be excluded from any items included in Part B of the agenda because it is likely in view of the nature of the business to be transacted that if members of the public are present during those items, there would be disclosure to them of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act. Members County Councillor Michael Snelling (Chairman) Cllr William Dyke (Vice-Chairman) Councillors: Colin Caller Greta Goatley Sara Langdale Richard Smith Jane Cribbon (KCC) Leslie Christie (KCC) Maureen Newell (KCC) Ray Parker (KCC) Note: Each of the parishes within the borough is invited to send a representative to the meeting. In addition a representative of the Association of Parish Councils and the United Taxi Group are invited to attend. Page 1 Agenda Item 2 Gravesham Joint Transportation Board Wednesday, 18 June 2008 7.00pm Present: County Councillor Michael Snelling (Chairman) Cllr William Dyke (Vice-Chairman) Cllrs: Colin Caller Sara Langdale Jane Cribbon (KCC) Leslie Christie (KCC) Maureen Newell (KCC) Ray Parker (KCC) Note: Cllrs Leslie Hills, Patricia Oakeshott and David Turner were also in attendance Others in attendance: Mr W Fisher, Meopham Parish Council Mr S Wright, Higham Parish Council Officers: Kevin Burbidge, Director (Business) Paul Gibbons, Service Manager, Operations (Parking & Amenities) Nick Channon, Democratic Services Officer Rob Bright, Senior Engineer (Development) Mr D Aspinall, Operations Manager (KCC) Mr C Martin, (KCC) Mr P Slaughter, (KCC) Mr M Wybraniec, (KCC) 1. Apologies Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs Greta Goatley and Richard Smith. 2. Minutes The Minutes of the meeting held on 26 March 2008 were signed by the Chairman. It was stated that County Councillor Maureen Newell was listed in both those present and under those members who had submitted apologies. County Councillor Newell had not been in attendance. With reference to Minute 59 (Parking on Footways and Verges) it was noted that Vale Road had been added to the preliminary list of roads to be included in the trial. Page 2 3. Declarations of Interest No declarations of interest were made. 4. A2 Pepperhill to Cobham Widening Scheme The Board was updated on the progress of the A2 Pepperhill to Cobham widening scheme since the last meeting of the Board. On 11 January 2008 the London bound entry slip road from Pepperhill junction was temporarily closed initially for a period of six weeks in order to make sewer connections. Due to unforeseen difficulties with the work it necessitated a redesign of the connection causing a suspension of the work. At the time of the last meeting of the Board it was anticipated that the works would be completed by early April. However, this proved to be extremely optimistic and the slip road had only been reopened on 23 May 2008. London bound traffic was diverted to use the new alignment on the night of 21 April, however this has given rise to two main problems, being excessive queues off the slip road at Tollgate and at times on the A227 coming from Istead Rise although these had been lessened with the reopening of the Pepperhill London bound on-slip. Problems were also being experienced by pedestrians walking between Istead Rise and Coldharbour Road and beyond. Pedestrians are now required to cross a minimum of two slip roads whereas they would not have to cross any main roads before and remedial action is being explored. The closure of both the Marling Cross and Singlewell coast bound off-slips were carried out on Sunday, 1 June to enable gas main works to be undertaken. The Singlewell off-slip will now be permanently closed and there will be no exit for coast bound traffic at Marling Cross until the new junction is completed in November 2008. The coast bound on-slip at Marling Cross (Valley Drive) will remain open for the duration of the scheme. Diversion routes have been put in place to encourage drivers to use the Ebbsfleet junction and Wainscott bypass and more locally to use Wrotham Road and Old Road. It order to pre-empt any congestion problems with extra traffic east bound on Cross Lane, a temporary "no entry" has been imposed for west bound traffic at Echo Square. This has generally been well accepted by local residents of Cross Lane, but should it prove to be unnecessary as drivers get used to the slip road closure, it will be removed. In respect of the Pepperhill coast bound on-slip, closure will take place on the evening of 18 June for a week to enable tying in works, lighting works and statutory undertaker works to be carried out. Diversions will be signed via the Ebbsfleet junction. In respect of coast bound traffic two lanes had been diverted to the new alignment with one lane remaining on the old alignment to enable tying in works to be completed at each end of the scheme. In respect of programmed works Hever Court Road will remain closed for a major gas diversion until it is re-aligned to the new Marling Cross junction in November/ December 2008. The Marling Cross bridge remains closed to enable construction of the new junction layout and a vehicular connection across the A2 at this point will not be possible until the new junction is complete in November/ December. All coast bound traffic will be diverted onto the new alignment on the evening of 20 June. Page 3 The future of Downs Road, Istead Rise was reported to the meeting of the County's Highways Advisory Board on 8 May and the recommendation of the Board was that the road should remain open to limited classes of motor vehicles with the introduction of weight restrictions but the situation should be reviewed in one year after the road is re-opened. The scheme design and traffic regulation orders are being progressed with a view to them being in place for the reopening in October 2008. Concern was expressed at the shortness of the entry slip from Pepperhill junction on the London bound A2 in that cars had to stop at the end of the slip and then egress onto a very busy road. There were also limited access points onto the A2 and better signage was needed, particularly at Thong Lane. The Chairman stated that a presentation would be given to all borough councillors on the proposals for the linear park to which County Councillors will be invited. County officers stated that the points raised by Members would be investigated. Resolved that the report be noted; Note: Cllrs Leslie Hills and David Turner spoke with leave of the Chairman on this item. 5. Shared-use footway/cycleway from Tollgate to Istead Rise Members were updated on plans to create a cycle route to Istead Rise, Northfleet. An outline design for the cycleway had been drawn up which proposed to widen the footway of Wrotham Road to three metres from the turning called Istead Rise to house number 305 Wrotham Road. The intention is to provide improved visibility for drivers emerging from private driveways so it is easier for them to see cycles and pedestrians approaching on the path. The outline design has been assessed in a Stage One Safety Audit and the auditor was asked, in particular, to consider the width of the central section of the path.