Agenda and minutes

Notification of substitute members were recorded as set out below:

·       Councillor K Tanner substituted for Councillor R Cannon

·       Councillor K Barton substituted for Councillor S Crisp

In accordance with Council Procedure Rules 17.5 to 17.9 these Councillors had the same rights as the ordinary members of the Board for whom they were substituting.

Members are reminded of their obligation under the Council’s Code of Conduct to disclose any Disclosable Pecuniary Interests and Other Significant Interests in any matter(s) to be considered or being considered at the meeting. These are explained in the Code of Conduct on the Council’s website at Code of conduct for members – Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council (tmbc.gov.uk).

Members in any doubt about such declarations are advised to contact Legal or Democratic Services in advance of the meeting.

There were no declarations of interest 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 16 September 2024.

RESOLVED:  That the Minutes of the meeting of the Joint Transportation Board held on 16 September 2024 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

(1)        Minute No. JTB 24/31 – Parking restrictions on Darkhill Road, Ightham

Minute No. JTB 24/31 – Parking Restrictions on Darkhill Road, Ightham

An update was received on the parking restrictions on Darkhill Road and noted that a detailed design was in the process of being produced, which would also look at the other arms of the roundabout and not Darkhill Road in isolation.

The report covers the progress of the current Phase (Phase 15), the content of the next Phase (Phase 16) of the Action Plan and an update on the Borough’s parking reviews.

The report of the Director of Street Scene, Leisure and Technical Services covered the progress of the current Phase (Phase 15), the content of the next Phase (Phase 16) of the Action Plan and an update on the Borough’s parking reviews.  Progress in the development of the parking schemes had been slow over the past few months as the team had been heavily committed with the development and delivery of the change in parking charges.  In January 2025, it was planned that a number of consultations would be carried out, including those for Hadlow, Hildenborough and the formal consultation for Phase 16.

Members noted that following publication of the report, revisions within the areas of Burns Crescent, Masefield Way and Shakespeare Road, Slade and Zone J had been included as additional locations to Annex 2 (Holding List) and that there would be some changes in the D1 and D2 parking areas to reflect changes associated with the introduction of Sunday charges.

RESOLVED: That the current progress and approach to the Parking Team’s work programme, be noted.

The report covers the formal consultation on proposals in Access Group 9.  The Access Group is a subset of the Parking Action where the Council has applied a streamlined process for the consideration and promotion of minor changes to the Traffic Regulation Order.

The report of the Director of Street Scene, Leisure and Technical Services covered the formal consultation on proposals in Access Group 9.  The Access Group was a subset of the Parking Action Plan where the Council had applied a streamlined process for the consideration and promotion of minor changes to the Traffic Regulation Order. 

Formal consultation was carried out on the proposed minor amendments in accordance with the relevant statutory requirements.  Members noted that as no objections had been received in respect of St Mary’s Road, Tonbridge or Carnation Crescent, East Malling, the amendments could be implemented.  The views of the Chair of the Joint Transportation Board and local County Council Members had been sought and the consensus was that the objections should be set aside and that the changes be implemented, and this was subsequently agreed by the Cabinet Member for Transformation and Infrastructure.

RESOLVED: That the decision of the Cabinet Member for Transformation and Infrastructure to set aside the objections attached at Annex 4 and to implement the changes, be noted.

The report provides an update regarding the progress in relation to the petition that was received for a cycleway connecting Three Elms Lane to Hadlow College.

The report of KCC Highways and Transportation provided an update regarding the progress in relation to the petition that was received for a cycleway connecting Three Elms Lane to Hadlow College. An outline design investigation identified a number of engineering and ecological site constraints which meant that the delivery of a shared use footway was not considered to be economically viable.  Following engagement with key stakeholders, the scheme would now proceed as a footway enhancement scheme and was planned to be completed in three phases. 

Funding had been confirmed for Phase 1, Three Elms Lane to Haywards Farm Shop and funding was to be confirmed for Phase 2, Haywards Farm Shop to the existing public right of way and Phase 3, Blackmans Lane to Hadlow College.  A fourth phase between the existing public right of way footpath to Blackmans Lane had been considered but was not currently an active option after initial discussions were held with one of the interested parties.

During discussion, concern was raised in respect of the removal of trees and the clearance of vegetation, the removal of the asphalt, the unnecessary need for a footpath past the petrol station on Hadlow Road East service road and the order of the proposed phases. 

A concern regarding the gap between footpath number MT145 and Blackmans Lane was addressed and Members were advised that there would be a continuation of the route irrespective of whether there was an upgrade either side of the public right of way, although it was recognised that in winter months, this may not always be accessible.  Furthermore, Members were informed that any trees which were removed would be replaced.

The report provides an update on the proposed Kent Street/Malling Road highway improvement scheme following the Board’s recommendation in September 2023 to proceed to detailed design and construction.

The report of Kent County Highways and Transportation provided an update on the proposed Kent Street/Malling Road highway improvement scheme following the Board’s recommendation in September 2023 to proceed to detailed design and construction.  

Over the past 12 months, detailed design work had progressed and the finalised designs were attached at Appendix A to the report. The construction was likely to be phased, starting in January 2024.  A programme of work would be developed along with the temporary management phasing.  Advance notification of the work would take place and temporary traffic signals would be manually operated when necessary to reduce the impact of the work.  During road closures, there would be a signed diversion route which would be a significant detour although it was anticipated that local traffic would find their own routes.  Kent County Council Highways would be working with the local Parish Councils to agree how best to reduce the impact on the minor roads. 

Members expressed concern regarding the significant disruption and impact on the wider transport network in the Malling area.   In particular, the use of and potential lack of driver knowledge of the impassable roads in the local area, such as Beech Road and Butcher Lane, which would undoubtedly be used by drivers as a diversion route. Members recommended that Beech Road, at the east of Butchers Lane, be closed whilst the scheme was under construction in order to reduce the significant impact of traffic diverting through Mereworth village.

This report updates Members on the identified schemes approved for construction.

If you have questions relating to the Highways Work Programme, can you please submit them in advance of the meeting and no later than 27 November 2024 to enable sufficient time to collate information. Please email Andy.Watson@kent.gov.uk

The report of Kent Highways, Transportation and Waste summarised schemes programmed for delivery in 2024/25 and 2025/26 and provided an update on Road, Footway and Cycle 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 Members Grant (Appendix H).

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.