Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of interest made in accordance with the Code of Conduct.

To confirm as a correct record the Notes of the meeting of the Joint Transportation Board held on 8 June 2020

RESOLVED:  That the Minutes of the meeting of the Joint Transportation Board held on 8 June 2020 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

The report provides an update on the proposed timescale for the implementation of the changes to on-street parking charges and provides updates on Phases 11 and 12 of the Parking Action Plan and the larger parking reviews, including Kings Hill, Hadlow and Hildenborough.  The report takes into account the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The joint report of the Director of Street Scene, Leisure and Technical Services and the Director of Finance and Transformation provided an update on the proposed timescale for the implementation of the changes to on-street parking charges.  Attention was drawn to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on user patterns in relation to parking and to temporary amendments to Traffic Regulation Orders to address Covid-19 restrictions.  Updates on Phases 11 and 12 of the Parking Action Plan and the larger parking reviews, including those at Kings Hill, Hadlow and Hildenborough, were also provided. 

RESOLVED:  That

(1)             the consultation for the proposed on-street parking fees and charges be progressed as outlined in the report and the outcome be reported to the meeting of the Joint Transportation Board to be held on 8 March 2021;

(2)             the outcome of the Phase 12 Parking Action Plan informal consultation be reported to the next meeting of the Joint Transportation Board; and

(3)             subject to  the informal consultation responses (Annex 2) with minor alterations to proposals on Queen Street, Discovery Drive and Regent Way, the Kings Hill Parking Review be progressed to formal consultation. 

The report informs Members on the outcome of a recent informal consultation with residents of Quarry Rise, Tonbridge

The report of KCC Highways, Transportation and Waste summarised the outcome of a recent informal consultation undertaken with residents of Quarry Rise, Tonbridge who had raised concerns that the road was being used as a ‘rat run’ to avoid Quarry Hill Road.  The informal consultation related to a proposal to make Quarry Rise one way running from north to south, away from the town centre.  The Board noted the level and type of responses to the informal consultation and

RESOLVED:  That a further letter be sent to those households who had not responded to the informal consultation and a report on a proposal to make Quarry Rise one way running be submitted to the next meeting of the Joint Transportation Board.    

The report provides an update on the Department for Transport (DfT) Emergency Active Travel Fund, relating specifically to the Tonbridge town wide 20mph limit.

The report of the Head of Transportation, KCC provided an update of the trial town-wide 20mph limit scheme which had been implemented under the first tranche of the Government’s Emergency Active Travel Fund.  The Board was reminded that the aim of an Active Travel scheme was to make roadspace safer and more accommodating for pedestrians and cyclists as the UK emerges from lockdown.  The scheme was being introduced under an Experimental Traffic Order which allowed changes to the highway to be implemented quickly and for the public to be consulted throughout the trial period (31 July 2020 to 1 February 2021).  The Programme Manager, Schemes Planning and Delivery Team, advised that following completion of the trial period any decision on whether to make the trial permanent would be informed by feedback on the consultation as well as monitoring changes in behaviour, pedestrian and cycle counts and comparisons with pre/post average speeds.  KCC Cabinet Member M Payne encouraged residents to make their views known via the consultation www.kent.gov.uk/tonbridge20mph and/or their local Councillors.  The Chairman recorded his thanks to the KCC Highways officer team for progressing this so quickly.

RESOLVED:  That the report be received and noted.

The report provides an update on identified schemes approved for construction

The report of KCC Highways, Transportation and Waste summarised schemes programmed for delivery in 2020/21 and provided an update on the Road, Footway and Cycleway Renewal and Preservation Schemes (Appendix A), Drainage Repairs and Improvements (Appendix B), Street Lighting (Appendix C), Transportation and Safety Schemes (Appendix D), Developer Funded Works (Appendix E), Bridge Works (Appendix F), Traffic Systems (Appendix G) and the Combined Member Grant programme (Appendix H).  It was noted that the programme was subject to regular review. 

With regard to the Active Travel Funded Scheme at A26/Quarry Hill Road relating to the addition of a cycle facility from the boundary with Tonbridge Wells to Pembury Road junction with Quarry Hill Road (Appendix E), the KCC Cabinet Member advised that, following two road traffic incidents involving cyclists, he had issued instructions that the trial be stopped on safety grounds with immediate effect. 

The Highway Manager Mid Kent offered to respond direct to Members on a number of matters identified at the meeting.  In response to an issue raised regarding Parish Council Highway Improvement Plans, the Schemes Programme Manager offered to submit a report on the process to the next meeting of the Joint Transportation Board.

RESOLVED:  That the report be received and noted.

The Chairman to move that the press and public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting during consideration of any items the publication of which would disclose exempt information.

There were no items considered in private.