Agenda item

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.