Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from County Councillors P M Beresford, T A Bond, S C Manion and D P Murphy, and Mr G Cowan (Dover Town Council).

It was noted that there were no substitute Members.

To receive any declarations of interest from Members in respect of business to be transacted on the agenda.

There were no declarations of interest.

To confirm the attached Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 29 March 2018.

The minutes of the meeting held on 29 March 2018 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To consider the attached report of the Head of Transportation, Kent County Council.

The Kent County Council Highways Schemes Project Manager (SPM) introduced the report which outlined proposals to reduce the speed limit in Dover Hill and New Dover Road from 60mph to 40 or 50mph.  The proposals had come about as a result of crash data from Kent Police which indicated that there had been a cluster of injury crashes in this location.  He clarified that, although most of the road was within the boundary of Folkestone & Hythe District Council, a recommendation from the Board was still required in relation to the part that was within the Dover district.  Councillor N J Collor agreed with the parish council’s suggestion that the limit should be reduced to 40mph rather than 50mph.  

RESOLVED:  It was agreed to recommend that the 40mph speed limit and an additional lane merging arrow be installed.

To consider the attached report of the Head of Transportation, Kent County Council.

The SPM presented the report, advising that Sandwich Town Council had asked for changes to be made to Market Street in order to improve traffic movement and pedestrian safety and to protect the town’s historic buildings.  The proposal involved closing Potter Street to traffic and introducing one-way traffic in Market Street, with traffic exiting the latter via The Butchery.  Consultation had been undertaken, the results of which were set out in the report.  However, following concerns arising from a Kent County Council road safety audit, it was recommended that the scheme should be abandoned.

Councillor S S Chandler informed the Board that the proposal was part of a longer term scheme to improve pedestrian flows through the town, and had been agreed by Kent County Council (KCC) and Dover District Council.  Traffic entering Potter Street from the north used it as a shortcut through Market Street to the Guildhall, etc.   She suggested that Potter Street be closed but that two-way traffic in Market Street be retained for a trial period of 18 months.   

In response to Councillor P D Jull, the Schemes Project Manager undertook to explore the possibility of removing the bollard at the southern end of Potter Street which did not require a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO).  Councillor P Walker commented that parking should also be investigated as some spaces might need to be removed.  Members were advised that an experimental TRO would allow Officers to make tweaks and changes to the scheme whilst members of the public would be able to submit comments during the period of the TRO.   Mrs Boustead added that the KCC Head of Service’s authority would be required before the Board’s recommendation could be progressed.   

RESOLVED:   That it be recommended that Potter Street be closed to traffic, and that two-way traffic be retained in Market Street, for a trial period of 18 months, during which time further traffic counts and consultation will be undertaken. 

To consider the attached report of the Director of Environment and Corporate Assets.

The Highways and Parking Team Leader (HPTL) presented the report which set out the results of consultation on proposals for a residents’ parking scheme in Deal.  The proposals had been drawn up at the request of the Board, and in response to a request made by residents.  One feature now included in the scheme was double yellow lines which had been added to maintain traffic flow where bus-stops had been removed.  The majority of respondents had indicated support for the scheme. 

Councillor P D Jull expressed surprise at the inclusion of Astor Drive in the scheme when The Grove was closer.  He argued that the scheme was not necessary as the majority of residents had off-road parking, and the scheme would simply displace drivers elsewhere.  He referred to the situation in Bridgeside where there were lots of empty car parking spaces following the introduction of a permit scheme.  Councillor A Friend disagreed, stating that Beechwood Avenue was being used as a parking zone.  The HPTL advised that another scheme would be drawn up to address problems in Church Path and that this scheme was likely to increase demand at Bridgeside.

RESOLVED:   That it be recommended that the Residents’ Parking Scheme set out at Appendix A of the report be sealed so as to bring it into effect.

To consider the attached report of the Director of Environment and Corporate Assets.

The HPTL introduced the report which outlined the results of consultation on a residents’ parking scheme covering Priory Hill and Priory Grove.  As a result of comments received during the consultation, it was proposed that the scheme be amended to cover just Priory Grove and the eastern end of Priory Hill. 

Speaking as a resident of Priory Hill, Councillor P M Brivio advised that she and others had been lobbying for the scheme since 2015 so she very much welcomed the proposal.  

RESOLVED:   That the revised Residents’ Parking Scheme detailed at Appendix D of the report be formally advertised, and that any objections received be referred back to a future meeting of the Dover Joint Transportation Board for further consideration prior to final recommendations being made.

To consider the attached report of the Director of Environment and Corporate Assets.

Members received the report which outlined amended proposals for bus and coach parking at Dover seafront.   The HPTL reminded Members that in March 2018 the Board had recommended that a proposal for four coach spaces outside and opposite Harbour House should be progressed, despite safety concerns raised by Kent County Council (KCC).  Since that meeting, KCC had advised that it could not implement the recommendation for safety reasons, and had requested that the Board consider an alternative proposal.   An alternative proposal was set out in Appendices B and C of the report. 

RESOLVED:  That the revised coach parking proposal set out at Appendices B and C of the report be formally advertised and, in the event that no objections are received, be recommended for sealing by Kent County Council. Any objections received in respect of the formal advertisement would be referred back to a future meeting of the Dover Joint Transportation Board for further consideration prior to any final recommendations being made.

To consider the attached report of the Director of Environment and Corporate Assets.

The HPTL presented the report which outlined a proposal to prohibit parking in Fitness Fields, the new access road linking the new leisure centre to Honeywood Parkway.

RESOLVED:  That the parking prohibition proposal detailed in the report be formally advertised and, in the event that no objections are received, be recommended for sealing by Kent County Council so as to bring it into effect.  Any objections received in respect of the formal advertisement would be referred back to a future meeting of the Dover Joint Transportation Board for further consideration prior to any final recommendations being made.

To consider the attached report of the Director of Highways and Transportation, Kent County Council.

Members received the report which provided an update on schemes that had been programmed for delivery in 2018/19.  The KCC Dover District Manager (DDM) advised that the resurfacing works to Maison Dieu Road and Bridge Street, Dover were programmed for October.  Further investigations were required to progress footway improvement works at Biggin Street.

Councillor Chandler referred to continuing delays with works to Brook Street, Eastry and The Street, Preston, and requested that they be expedited as soon as possible.   The DDM undertook to find out the latest position on these works.  Councillor Collor congratulated KCC staff on their efforts to tackle pot holes.

RESOLVED:   That the report be noted.

It was moved by Councillor S S Chandler, duly seconded and

RESOLVED:       That, under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the remainder of the business on the grounds that the items to be considered involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 1 and 2 of Part I of Schedule 12A of the Act.

To consider the attached report of the Director of Environment and Corporate Assets.

The HPTL introduced the report which outlined details of twelve disabled persons’ parking bay applications.   In addition, it was proposed that six disabled parking bays should be removed as they were no longer required.  In respect of Application L, Members were advised that the report was incorrect in that it referred to the applicant’s home as being located on an unofficial highway.  This was not in fact the case and the applicant therefore met all the criteria, as did the other eleven applications.  Following concerns raised by Councillor Walker, the HPTL reassured the Board that there had been no instances of applications being refused on the basis that the applicant lived in an unadopted road. 

RESOLVED:   (a)  That it be noted:

                               (i) That Applications A to L would be formally advertised and, in the event that no objections are received, they will be sealed by Kent County Council.  (Should any objections be received during the consultation process, the applications will be discussed with the Chairman of the Dover Joint Transportation Board for a final decision.)

                               (ii) That Items M to R would be formally advertised with the intention of removing them and, in the event that no objections are received, their removal will be sealed by Kent County Council.