Issue - meetings

The report seeks approval to submit a bid to the Department for Transport (DfT) under the Safer Roads Fund application process. It also seeks approval to proceed to the next stages of implementing the associated interventions should the submitted bid be successful.

Nikola Floodgate (Schemes Planning and Delivery Manager) was in attendance for this item. 

(1)  Mr Balfour (Cabinet Member for Planning, Highways, Transport and Waste) introduced the report that sought approval to submit a bid to the Department for Transport (DfT) under the Safer Road Fund Application process. It also sought approval to proceed to the next stages of implementing the associated interventions should the submitted bid be successful.

(2)  In response to questions and comments, Ms Floodgate explained the following:

(3)  The DfT invited proposals from local highway authorities to improve the safety of specific sections of local “A” roads. The bid would seek funding for approximately £3.5m of capital funding for the two eligible roads within Kent; the A252 and the A290. The general aim of the programme was to reduce the severity of casualties on the highway. The DfT offered a number of proposals and officers were involved in reviewing the intervention schemes.

(4)  The bid was submitted on 29 September 2017 and a decision was expected in the Autumn. 

(5)  Ms Floodgate acknowledged that the current data set supplied by the DfT only showed statistics for 2012-2014, however, assurance was given to Members that the Transport Intelligence Team had identified the A252 and the A290 as being amongst the top four hazardous roads.

(6)  Resolved that the Cabinet Committee endorsed the proposed decision of the Cabinet Member for Planning, Highways, Transport and Waste to give:

(a)          approval to the principle of the bid submission for the two routes Identified by the DfT and the Road safety Foundation; and

(b)          delegated authority to the Director of Highways, Transportation and Waste to spend the funding should the bid be successful.