WATERINGBURY PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of Highways & Transportation Committee Meeting
Tuesday 18th January 2022
7.30pm Wateringbury Village Hall
Cllr M Wells (Vice Chairman)
Cllr R Tripp
Cllr D Marks
Cllr F Fielding
Cllr G Owen
In attendance
Mrs S J Cockburn – Clerk to the Council
2 members of the public
- APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies received from Cllr Gregson and Cllr Simons
- DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST/DISPENSATIONS
None
- MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 20TH APRIL 2021 TO BE APPROVD FOR ACCURACY
The Minutes have been read were approved by Cllr Fielding and seconded by Cllr Marks. The Minutes were signed as a correct record
- MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 20TH APRIL 2022
None
- HIGHWAY IMPROVEMENT PLAN
Cllr Wells went through the Design Report from Charles & Associates which all Councillors had
Potential Measures – Reinforcing the Village Setting – Entries to the 30mph zone are on relatively open sections of road – possible solution was installation of gateway features or dragon’s teeth as shown in the report.
Speed Reduction Measures – a 20mph zone would be appropriate within most or all of existing 30mph.
Horizontal measures such as buildouts as shown in the report. It was stated these had been used in Teston which eventually rotted, were removed and not replaced.
Bow Road & Red Hill – limited locations to install buildouts. Significant amount of on street parking which reduces traffic capacity, and also acts as informal traffic calming
Air quality – it was felt there would be very little change to present. Slower traffic would cause more pollution.
Pedestrian Routes – Two PROW’s which run from Old Road & Mill Lane to Bow Road. These proved direct routes to the school and railway station. Upgraded surface these could be used in all weather conditions for short journeys
Localised Issues – Weight restriction on Pizien Well Road could be signed from the B2015 Maidstone Road at the A228 Seven Mile roundabout. Gibbs Hill ‘except for access’ would need to remain as access to agricultural sites. Old Road, Pizien Well Road, Gibbs Hill could be signed as no through road from the A26 and B 2015
Recommended Measures – overview
20mph zone within the existing 30mph to cover main pedestrian destinations – Red Hill at nos 14/15 – A26 East at Junction with Fields Lane to cover pedestrian crossing – Bow Road at Phoenix Cottages – A26 west at Lodge Close (it was felt this could be extended to Pizien Well Road)
Bow Road – layout could include raised tables incorporating pedestrian crossings on either side of Warden Mill Close
Red Hill – ‘visual’ narrowing using granite setts at the edge of the carriageway could function as traffic calming
A26 East – limited opportunities for physical features. A 20mph zone could include the Zebra crossing
A26 West – footways along the A26 are narrow. The carriageway could be realigned to the south. The north footway could be widened to 1.8m . A dropped kerb to help pedestrians to cross from Old Road to the north footway
The costs set out in the report would be in the region of £125,000
Acceptance of the Design Report was proposed by Cllr Tripp and seconded by Cllr Marks. All councillors voted in favour of the Charles & Associates Design Report be sent to Kent County Council.
Cllr Fielding stated Council were required to complete the KCC Highway Improvement Plan form showing items in order of priority
1 20mph on Bow Road and the A26
- Realignment of carriageway A26 around junction with Old Road
- Red Hill – granite raised tables
- Raised tables – Bow Road
- Weight restrictions & signage
- Gateway Features
- Footpaths
- Teston Road – no through road
- Signage – Pizien Well Road – Gibbs Hill – narrow – unsuitable for
Through route
- Cars jumping traffic lights – cameras on lights.
Cllr Fielding would prepare the Highway Improvement Plan form and circulate this for approval.
Cllr Wells thanked Cllr Fielding for her hard work.
- ANY OTHER HIGHWAY BUSINESS
None
- DATE OF NEXT MEETING
No date was arranged