Strategic Planning, Sustainability and Transportation Committee

11 April 2017

Is the final decision on the recommendations in this report to be made at this meeting?

Yes

 

20 mph speed limits in Maidstone Borough - Update

 

Final Decision-Maker

Strategic Planning, Sustainability and Transportation Committee

Lead Head of Service

Rob Jarman – Head of Planning and Development

Lead Officer and Report Author

Andrew Thompson – Principal Planning Officer (Spatial Policy)

Classification

Public

Wards affected

All

 

 

This report makes the following recommendations to this Committee:

1.   That Committee notes the content of the report

 

 

 

This report relates to the following corporate priorities:

·         Keeping Maidstone Borough an attractive place for all

 

 

 

Timetable

Meeting

Date

Strategic Planning, Sustainability and Transportation Committee

11 April 2017



20 mph speed limits in Maidstone Borough - Update

 

 

1.        PURPOSE OF REPORT AND EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

 

1.1     This report sets out the current position in respect of work to investigate the potential for the introduction of 20 mph speed limits in Maidstone Borough. Councillors are asked to note the content of the report.

 

 

2.        INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND

 

2.1     Full Council considered a motion at their December 2015 meeting regarding support for a Borough-wide 20 mph speed limit on residential roads. Council resolved to:

 

“Request that the Strategic Planning, Sustainability and Transportation Committee review all the available evidence; consider the implementation of 20 mph speed limits within the Borough of Maidstone; and refer the findings to the Cabinet Member at Kent County Council.”

 

2.2      This Committee then considered a report in March 2016 which summarised national guidance and evidence and the County Council’s policy on the 20 mph speed limits, and outlined a number of options to take the matter forward. The minutes and report are set out at Appendix A and B respectively but this Committee resolved:

 

“That in the Local Plan period pilot studies be undertaken of certain sections of highway in Maidstone where there is acknowledged pedestrian and vehicular conflict and where there is resident support in order to deliver 20 mph speed limit areas.”

 

2.3     Accordingly, no specific timescale was agreed for the progression of any such studies and no budget was identified to take this work forward. Further, the minutes note that officer time would need to be focussed on the submission and adoption Maidstone Borough Local Plan and the progression of the Maidstone Integrated Transport Strategy (ITS).

 

2.4     Officers are currently examining the prospects of identifying a budget to commission a study - previously estimated at around £20,000 - and are engaging with Kent Police and Kent County Council Highways to establish the most up-to-date policy on 20 mph speed limits, and the prospects for support, funding and enforcement. Work streams in the Spatial Policy Team would also need to be re-prioritised in line with a new work programme.

 

2.5      It is intended to report back to this Committee once the above matters are explored.

 

 

 

 

 

3.        AVAILABLE OPTIONS

 

3.1     This report is for noting only.

 

 

4.        PREFERRED OPTION AND REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS

 

4.1     This report is for noting only.

 

 

5.       CONSULTATION RESULTS AND PREVIOUS COMMITTEE FEEDBACK

 

5.1     This Committee previously agreed that pilot studies should be undertaken during the period of the Maidstone Borough Local Plan. This report provides an update on the current position.

 

 

6.       NEXT STEPS: COMMUNICATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DECISION

 

6.1     Officers will continue examine the prospects for identifying a budget for the work, and are engaging with the County Council and Kent Police as set out at 2.4.  

 

 

7.       CROSS-CUTTING ISSUES AND IMPLICATIONS

 

Issue

Implications

Sign-off

Impact on Corporate Priorities

The introduction of 20 mph

scheme(s) within the Borough

could result in positive health

and road safety benefits

keeping Maidstone an attractive

place to live.

Rob Jarman

Head of

Planning &

Development

Risk Management

No specific implications arise

Rob Jarman

Head of

Planning &

Development

Financial

No budget has been identified for the work. The commissioning of any

additional work from external

consultants would require additional spend.

[Section 151 Officer & Finance Team]

Staffing

Specialist consultants may be

required to undertake the

study work

Rob Jarman

Head of

Planning &

Development

Legal

No specific implications arise

from the report.

Estelle Culligan, Interim Head of Legal Partnership

Equality Impact Needs Assessment

A reduction in speed limits

could benefit all sections of the

community

[Policy & Information Manager]

Environmental/Sustainable Development

A reduction in speed limits

could result in air quality benefits

Rob Jarman

Head of

Planning &

Development

Community Safety

A reduction in speed limits

could result in improvements in road safety

Rob Jarman

Head of

Planning &

Development

Human Rights Act

N/A

Rob Jarman

Head of

Planning &

Development

Procurement

Specialist consultant advice

may be required. Any

consultant(s) would be

appointed in accordance with

the Council’s procurement

procedures

Rob Jarman

Head of

Planning &

Development

Asset Management

N/A

Rob Jarman

Head of

Planning &

Development

 

8.        REPORT APPENDICES

 

The following documents are to be published with this report and form part of the report:

·         Appendix A: Minutes of the SPS&T Committee meeting 8 March 2016

·         Appendix B: Report of the Head of Planning and Development – Scope and costs required to implement 20 mph speed limits within the Borough of Maidstone 8 March 2016

 

 

9.        BACKGROUND PAPERS

 

None