Opportunities to ask questions about local public services
Minutes:
At a meeting recently held in Margate, Bill Hayton was advised of a problem with speeding cars near a small narrow bridge in Rossetti Road, Birchington and asked how it might be resolved. The problem is most acute where the 20mph speed limit ends and could soon result in a serious accident. Local residents would like to see traffic lights installed by the bridge that are activated by a vehicle presence.
Mr Burgess will ask the local county councillor, Charles Hibberd, to bring this matter up with East Kent Highways who may ask for a risk analysis to be undertaken to determine whether the situation warrants any improvements being undertaken. It could then go before the Joint Transportation Board.
Mr Burgess mentioned a new grant available to all Kent County Councillors called the Members’ Highways Fund (MHF), which gives them each £25K a year. The scheme is currently being piloted and is for resolving local highways issues quickly that may not be a high priority county-wide. The money can be spread over two years if the member wishes and can be used for projects such as drop curbs and access for the disabled.
Q. Can the money be used for forecourts in front of businesses?
A. Not unless it’s KCC property.
Q. Will the same poor standard of work continue when repairing potholes?
A. Mr Burgess will feed back this comment to Kent Highways.
Q. Can the £25k be used for street furniture e.g. shelters and benches?
A. Possibly, but it depends on whether it’s the responsibility of Kent Highways. This is a relatively new grant and can be pulled into scrutiny – it must be spent wisely and correctly.
Q. Can a shelter cover in the Royal Esplanade, Ramsgate be provided with this funding?
A. Mr Kirby said he was aware of this issue as the existing Perspex cover had been removed by vandals. Mr Burgess will raise the matter also with Liz Green.
Q. There is a flooding problem between Queen Street and Leopold Street in Ramsgate where seven drains are blocked. Can MHF be used to resolve this? Does a drain clearage scheme exist?
A. You could telephone Kent Highways Helpine on 08458 247 247 who will be able to answer your question or provide further details to the Board who can take the matter up for you. However a planned maintenance drainage scheme is in place and KCC are working to make this more effective.
Q. Why use the Highways’ PIPKIN (Prioritizating Investments Programmes for Kent’s Integrated Network) approach by looking at the number of fatalities? Why do people have to die on roads first?
A. There is now a variance on the PIPKIN scheme in operation.