Agenda and minutes

Apologies for Absence were received from Councillors Carter, Mrs Stockell and Mrs Whittle.

There were no Substitute Members.

There were no Visiting Members.

There were no Disclosures by Members or Officers.

All Councillors declared they had been lobbied with regard to Agenda Item 9 – Report of the KCC Head of Transportation – Old Oakwood Hospital Housing Site.

Parish Councillor Butcher declared he had been lobbied with regard to Agenda Item 10 – Report of the KCC Head of Highway Operations – Clapper Farm Lane.

RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the Meeting held on 18 January 2012 be approved as a correct record and signed.

Minute 50 – Kent Freight Action Plan

The Chairman informed the Board that he will be requesting that the Freight Transport Strategy report is brought to the next meeting of this Board.

Notice has been given pursuant to Council Procedure Rule 11 of the intention to present a petition in the following terms:-

We, the undersigned, petition the Council to stop the re-routing of the Maidstone Hospital bus services through Tarragon Road, Maidstone on safety grounds.  Tarragon Road is in a quiet residential area which would struggle to accommodate the volume of bus traffic proposed by Kent County Council on environment, safety, noise and access grounds.

Mrs Johanna Dickson presented a Petition to the Board in the following terms:-

We the undersigned, petition the Council to stop the re-routing of the Maidstone Hospital bus services through Tarragon Road, Maidstone on safety grounds.  Tarragon Road is in a quiet residential area which would struggle to accommodate the volume of bus traffic proposed by Kent County Council on environment, safety, noise and access grounds.

Mrs Anne Rillie, a representative of the British Horse Society and The British Driving Society, addressed the Board regarding Agenda Item 10 – Clapper Farm Lane in support of the Traffic Regulation Order (Prohibition of Motor Vehicles).

Mr Paul Linaker, a local resident, addressed the Board regarding Agenda Item 10 – Clapper Farm Lane in support of the Traffic Regulation Order (Prohibition of Motor Vehicles) as long as farmers and maintenance vehicles are allowed.

The Board considered the report of the KCC Head of Transportation regarding the bus gate on the old Oakwood Hospital housing site.  The Board also took into consideration the comments made at the presentation of the petition earlier.

Members of the Board mentioned that since the granting of outline planning permission in 1996, the roads through the new housing estate have changed in direction and have been narrowed.  Also, the roads would need double yellow lines and this will cause a parking problem.

RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND: That the County Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment, Highways and Waste abandon the proposal for the bus link through the Old Oakwood Hospital Housing site.

The Board considered the report of the KCC Head of Highway Operations regarding the formal advertising of a Traffic Regulation Order (Prohibition of Motor Vehicles) with appropriate protection to Clapper Farm Lane (part).

RESOLVED to RECOMMEND to the CABINET MEMBER FOR ENVIRONMENT HIGHWAYS AND WASTE:

1.  That the formal advertising of Traffic Regulation Order (Prohibition of Motor Vehicles) be supported.

2.  That the Kent Carriage Gap be recommended to officers as the preferred option as support to the Traffic Regulation Order.

3.  That Public Rights of Way be consulted to the prospect of reclassifying the section of the lane if the Traffic Regulation Order and protection are implemented.

The Board considered the report of the Head of Transport & Development regarding the update on Petitions submitted to Kent County Council.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

This report was for information only.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

This report was for information only.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

This report was for information only.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

6.02 p.m. to 7.04 p.m.