Agenda and minutes

Notification of substitute members were recorded as set out below:

• Councillor R Roud substituted for Councillor F Hoskins

In accordance with Council Procedure Rules 17.5 to 17.9 this Councillor had the same rights as the ordinary member of the committee 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 17 June 2024.

RESOLVED:  That the Minutes of the meeting of the Joint Transportation Board held on 17 June 2024 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

(1)      Minute No. JTB 24/14 – Scope of the Joint Transportation Board and Local/Public Transport.

(2)      Minute No. JTB 24/18 – Any Other Business (20 mph and 30 mph zones/speed limits in Ightham)

(1)      Minute No. JTB 24/14 – Scope of the Joint Transportation Board and Local/Public Transport

County Councillor Neil Baker, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport addressed the Board during which he explained that the review of Joint Transportation Boards was on hold until the changes proposed by Government became clear.  Particular reference was made to the importance of Boards continuing to meet in the interim period.

(2)      Minute No. JTB 24/18 – Any Other Business (20 mph and 30 mph zones/speed limits in Ightham)

A representative of Ightham Parish Council addressed the Board following the request at the last meeting that Kent County Council give consideration to the implementation of a 20 mph speed limit in Ightham village centre, the installation of an interactive speed sign and effective signage due to an increase in traffic issues. 

In response, Kent County Council would raise the concerns regarding speed enforcement with Kent Police and consideration would be given to engineering methods, such as virtual traffic calming.  

The report updates Members on the public consultation on Kent County Council’s new Local Transport Plan 5.

The report of Transport Strategy, Kent County Council, provided an update on the public consultation on Kent County Council’s new Local Transport Plan 5.  The consultation commenced on 17 July 2024 and would run until 8 October 2024.  Following consideration of the feedback from the public consultation, the aim was that it would be ready for Kent County Council to vote on its adoption later in the year.  

Following the consultation on the Emerging Local Transport Plan last year, the Plan’s outcomes were amended and aimed to put balance on schemes that promoted a move towards net zero travel.  Those proposals which were borough-specific to Tonbridge and Malling were attached at Annex 2 to the report. 

Members welcomed the improvements to Public Rights of Way and the Kent Cycling and Walking Infrastructure and were encouraged to respond to the consultation about priorities at a local level. During discussion, Members indicated that they would welcome pressure put on rail authorities to introduce a student rail pass and accessibility improvements at rail stations.

It was recognised that the Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) would end in March 2025 and at this point, future Government funding streams were unknown.

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

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

Members sought an update on the reinstallation of the speed cushions on Chapman Way, East Malling.  It was confirmed that the remaining speed cushions would be installed as part of the countywide programme to be completed along with the ancillary works, such as Ironwork, cat’s eyes, kerb lines and defects from the 2024 Surface Preservation season.  The retreading works on Beech Road and Willow Wents in Mereworth would also fall under this programme of works.

Furthermore, an update on the junction improvement and footway realignment at East Street/High Street, Tonbridge and details of the forward works planned for Clare Lane, East Malling and Larkfield were sought.  Members were informed that the Clare Lane inclusions within the current Highway Works Programme were in the early planning stages with no actual recommendation of treatment available.  The rationale for the addition was due to a few factors, with reduction in skid resistance and the age/condition of the surface being the primary factors and the works had been included in year 2 of the 1-2 years delivery for the 2025/26 works programme, therefore it was likely to be delivered to its conclusion within the forward works programme.

Members provided positive feedback on the machine resurfacing on the B245 Tonbridge Road (Foxbush to Orchard Lea) and welcomed the timings for the drainage repairs on Pembury Road, Tonbridge to avoid school traffic.

The West Kent Highway Improvements Programme Manager, Kent County Council, presented the Highways Improvement Plan (HIP).  Kent County Council recommended that Parish and Town Councils had a HIP, a list of potential highway improvements requested by the community and endorsed by the Parish/Town Council or County Member if led in an unparished area, so that the main highway issues could be identified and prioritised.  It was recommended that the Highway Improvement Plan Information Pack, which was published as a supplemental, be used to make a positive difference to communities. 

Members received an update on the construction progress of the A20 Coldharbour Roundabout Junction Improvement which was part of the Maidstone Integrated Transport Programme and ‘Keep Maidstone Moving’ initiative and which was required to relieve the existing congestion and support the delivery of local plan sites. Construction commenced on 12 February 2024 and it was anticipated that the scheme would be delivered on time in early December 2024.

Any matters raised will be for information only and any views, actions, outcomes or recommendations may be addressed out of meeting or reported to the next possible Joint Transportation Board (if appropriate).

(1) Parking restrictions on Darkhill Road, Ightham

(2) Phase 15 Parking Review and timeframes

(1)      Parking restrictions on Darkhill Road, Ightham

Following concerns raised regarding the parking of Heavy Goods Vehicles on lines on Darkhill Road, Ightham, the site would be added to the Parking Phrase Action Plan.  It was highlighted that the Board had previously considered changes to parking restrictions on Darkhill Road and following consultation had agreed that the proposals be abandoned at that time, however it was recognised that the situation of the road had since changed. Members requested that Kent County Council give consideration to whether double yellow lines should be in place along Darkhill Road on grounds of safety and an update would be provided at the next meeting.

(2)      Phase 15 Parking Review and Timeframes

The Phase 15 Parking Review and formal consultation for Hadlow and Hilldenborough were anticipated to commence in Autumn 2024 and further information would be presented to Members at the next meeting of the Board.   

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.