Issue - meetings

(1)        The latest results of the work carried out by Jacobs UK on the speed limit review were set out in the report.  This was the latest in a series of HAB reports on the speed limit review. It set out the funding implications for the implementation of the demonstration project; gave details of the communication process with the parish council and others on the demonstration area; set out the recommendations of the review of phase 1; and gave details of the programme for the completion of the review. 

(2)          The estimated cost of the recommended changes in the demonstration area was £225,621. This covered the signing and lining required to make the limits enforceable and clear to drivers whilst seeking to reduce clutter wherever possible. A detailed breakdown of the costs was set out in Appendix 1 of the report.

(3)          In May 2008 presentations were given to the parish councils in the demonstration area. The presentations included an opening address by Keith Ferrin and he was followed by presentations from Jacobs on how the speed limits were considered; the Kent Police Traffic Unit gave their position; and John Wilson, who had represented all of the parish councils in the demonstration area. In addition to the presentations copies of the Jacobs report were provided and the parish councils were invited to comment on the reports recommendations. Subsequently a number of comments were received along with letters from individual residents, a local Councillor and action groups. The review team, the Kent Traffic Police and John Wilson, reconsidered the comments. A further report was then produced and circulated to all those who wrote to the council giving details of any subsequent changes or giving detailed explanation on why further changes could not be included.

(4)        The review on Phase 1 was now complete and a draft report had been prepared.  It covered 11 “A” class roads and 9 “B” class roads (a complete list of roads was set out in Appendix 2 of the report), and 109 parish councils (a complete list of councils was set out in Appendix 3 of the report). The report recommended reductions to 40 speed limits and increased to 13 which represented changes to 19.18% of the total of 267km of road covered within the phase 1 area.

(5)         During discussion Caroline Bruce undertook to provide Members with details of the above changes, following the meeting.

(6)         The programme for the completion of the review of the A and B road network was as follows:-

(7)         Local communication with Parish Councils in the demonstration area had been through John Wilson of East Farleigh PC who had agreed to act for all of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9