Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Mr Kite.

The Chairman, Councillor Garden, welcomed all Board members, observers and members of the public to the meeting, together with Ms Threadgle and Ms Seymour – parish councillors - who were attending their first Board meeting.

Councillor Garden explained that following the election for the vacant parish representative position on the Board, two candidates - Ms Threadgle and Ms Seymour – each received four votes. 

It is to be suggested to Cabinet that both are invited to join the Board for the remainder of the Municipal year, and accordingly both nominees had been invited to attend this meeting.

To receive declarations of interest from Members including the terms(s) of the Grant of Dispensation (if any).

There were no declarations of interest received from Board Members or observers.

That the minutes of the Joint Transportation Board held on 3 September 2019 be confirmed as a correct record of that meeting.

The Chairman announced that that he had agreed to allow Councillor Davis to present a petition on an urgent road safety issue to the Board.

Councillor Davis reported that residents of Burnham Crescent and Shirley Close were concerned that illegal parking on pavements in the area was necessitating pedestrians to walk in the road and obstructing sight lines for cars entering and leaving Burnham Crescent.

Arising from this Councillor Davis reported that he had contacted KCC Highways regarding the installation of street furniture and vegetation, to curtail the illegal parking.  He added that these works had been undertaken and that the issues had largely been addressed.

The Board therefore noted the petition and the successful remedial works undertaken.

It was confirmed that there were no references from other Committees for the Board to consider.

Members received a report providing up to date information on a number of issues outstanding from previous meetings.

Arising from this it was noted that Mr Hymers was not present and therefore not able to update Members on a number of issues, but would be providing a written report to the next meeting.

Additionally Councillor Grehan reported that Highways England had responded to her enquiry relating to road safety on trunk roads and had explained that the statistics she had been given were in fact misleading and the roads in the Borough were not amongst the most dangerous in the UK.

Mr Keith Longley will present a further update on the second part of the on – going highways works in Dartford Town Centre.

Members were reminded that at the Board meeting held on 3 September they had received a presentation on the first phase of the Dartford Town Centre redevelopment programme, and that due to time constraints a report on the later phases was deferred to this meeting.

Accordingly Mr Keith Longley provided

·         A brief progress report on the further progress attained on phase one of the scheme,

·         The proposed rephrasing of traffic signalling to aid the through flow of traffic around the Town Centre

·         A report on the content and progress of phase two of the redevelopment including information on delays to progress and subsequent amendment to the original scheme proposals relating to traffic flows

·         An outline of future phases of the works together with a projected timescale for works.

Members raised queries relating to minor scheme details and the programme of works for each of the scheme phases. 

Arising from this Mr Longley reported that the work programme was currently being amended but undertook to circulate to all Members an updated programme of works which would enable Board Members to answer questions raised by constituents, when the review was completed.

The Board received and noted a report from Kent Highways on their proposed responses to inclement winter weather for the Dartford area.

While the report was limited to the Dartford area it was reported that details for the whole County was available for inspection on the KCC Web site.

The Board received a report from KCC Highways relating to the proposed introduction of waiting restrictions in Chastillian Road Road and Wentworth Drive to relieve issues with parking arising from the recent expansion of Wentworth Primary school.

It was noted that there had been extensive consultation with local residents on the format of the restrictions and that those currently proposed represent the most acceptable to local residents.

The Board agreed to endorse the introduction of the proposals

Parking EnforcementThe Board received a report from KCC Highways relating to the proposed introduction of waiting restrictions within the Fleet Estate to relieve issues with parking arising from the proximity of Darent Valley hospital and other local employers.

It was noted that the restrictions related mainly to corner and junction protection to improve sight lines and safety for pedestrians and this would be reinforced by the introduction of dropped kerbs in the future.   

The Board agreed to endorse the introduction of the proposals

Arising from the consideration of items 38 and 39 above Members expressed deep concern at issues relating to illegal parking in Dartford generally, and that surrounding local school specifically.

It was noted that the current resources of the enforcement team are limited and demands are high but it was felt that unless higher levels of enforcement are undertaken then parking problems are going to worsen and inevitable traffic accidents will occur.

The Board therefore agreed

1.    That a request be referred to the Cabinet that numbers within the parking enforcement team are increased to a level where it presents a significant deterrent to illegal, dangerous and inconsiderate parking.

2.    The Transport Planning Officer be commissioned to undertake a research project into the parking problems in Dartford and the introduction of measures to ameliorate these, including research into strategies employed by other authorities to achieve this.

Members have the opportunity to raise  the following: -

·         Questions in relation to capital and revenue funded works programmes

·         Suggestions for future traffic regulation orders or street management proposals

·         Questions on policies, plans and strategies related to highways, road traffic and public transport.

·         Suggestion of a future agenda item (subject to the Chairman’s approval)

Members raised the following points:

Mrs Allen:

Highlighted the need for co - operation between Dartford and KCC in the ongoing battle against fly tipping in the Borough

Stressed that Members should follow the correct procedure when reporting emergency highways issues, as attempting to speed responses by contacting high level County Officers was counter – productive.

Mr Harman:

Reported an on - going issue with the vandalisation of street lights in Swanscombe

Highlighted safety issues in country lanes in Swanscombe

Mrs Cole:

Enquired about planting bordering Bob Dunn Way.

In response Ms Sutton reported that this will be undertaken in the early part of 2020.

Asked the Chairman if he had received any information on the proposals for the future of the 428/492 bus routes.

The Chairman responded that there had been a large response to the consultation and that the decisions relating to the routes had been pushed back into next year by TfL.  He also pointed out that several schools were concerned about the possible stranding of pupils should routes be withdrawn or curtailed.

Councillor Reynolds:

Asked if “Emergency” road works were monitored as his recent experience with Thames Water indicated that utility companies were misusing this to gain access to the highway when works did not justify this classification.

Ms Sutton suggested that he contact the KCC Street Works team to inquire about this matter.

Mr Ozog:

Raised the issue of parking enforcement generally and around Holy Trinity School in particular.

Asked if the drains in Dartford Road could be unblocked as during the recent heavy rainfall they were unable to deal with the quantities of water in the area.

Sought clarification on signage for on street and off street parking in Kent Road as the signs seemed to be contradictory.

Councillor Mrs Ozog:

Enquired at the possibility of “Corner Protection” for Priory Close as it was impossible for large vehicles to enter this road due to dangerous parking on the street corners.

The Board received a report from KCC Highways which updated Members on roadworks which were to be undertaken or proposed to take place in Dartford.

Arising from this it was noted that there was a slight delay in the commencement of work on the proposed Cycleway on Prices Road Dartford which would now commence early in 2010.

Arising from the consideration of this item it was agreed that in future copies of this report be circulated to all Members of the Council in order that they be able to raise matters of concern with the Board.

For Members information the following has been attached for Members information: -

§    Environment, and Transport Cabinet Committee – Minutes

NB: If a Member wishes to discuss any of these items at the meeting, please advise the Member Services Section (01322) 343251 prior to the meeting.

The Board received and noted the Minutes of the KCC Environment & Transport Cabinet Committee held on 16 July and 10 October 2019.

As this was the last meeting of the Board before the Christmas Holiday, the Chairman, Councillor Garden, extended his best wishes for Christmas and the New Year to all Board Members, Officers and attendees at the Board.