Agenda item

(Report by Head of Network Management)

(1)       The report provided an update on the progress by KCC in dealing with the problems associated with satellite navigation devices and other specific matters relating to HGV movements.  The March meeting of the Board considered a reference from the Maidstone JTB relating to heavy goods vehicle management to the south and west of Maidstone. The JTB had requested that the Board recommend the funding of necessary surveys to establish the position with regard to HGVs in Yalding and East Farleigh. It was agreed that a report be considered by this Board in May and was covered in paragraph (7) below.

Freight Quality Partnerships

(2)       Over the years the Freight Quality Partnerships facilitated by KCC had looked to address the use of the network by HGVs. Through these partnerships, KCC had engaged with Local Hauliers, National Freight Organisations and other stakeholders, such as business associations, District, Parish and Town Councils and Neighbouring Authorities.

(3)       Strategic routes across Kent for HGVs had been agreed with the Freight Quality Partnerships and for most areas maps showing the strategic routes had been generated and made available to hauliers. Additionally, the maps also included other points of interest such as restrictions, rest stops and services, so that the most appropriate selection of route could be made. Unfortunately the maps became out-of-date very quickly due to new developments, regenerations, improved highway links and therefore needed regular updating and re-publishing. KCC were in the process of reviewing the current maps and would be updating and publishing a new set of maps this calendar year.

Sat Nav Data

(4)       KCC were collating a comprehensive inventory that would provide accurate data relating to road widths, height restrictions, gradients and traffic orders. The data would be given to Ordnance Survey and the Sat Nav companies in order to introduce this data into their devices. In addition, KCC were encouraging Ordnance Survey to carry out regular driven surveys to record the location of traffic orders (weight limits and one way streets) and supply this information to the sat nav companies.

(5)       KCC was keen to see that Sat Nav equipment and data was improved to avoid HGVs being directed down unsuitable roads occurring in future. It was recognised that this was a long term solution due to the complexity of the data that was held by KCC and the method by which data was transferred and utilised by Sat Nav companies. The data was likely to take one to two years to collate and become fully available to the Sat Nav companies.

Route Signage

(6)       "Unsuitable for HGVs" signs had been used in Kent for many years to deter drivers from using very minor roads. At present there were no DfT approved "sat nav" signs for use on the public highway in England. There was a concern that the provision of such signs could lead to a proliferation of signs in the countryside, which was in direct conflict with the desire to reduce sign clutter.  However KCC would introduce DfT approved multilingual route signing to direct British and foreign lorry traffic to and from commercial premises by the most appropriate routes. The signs would be introduced on the network as and when they had been assessed as a necessity.

HGVs in Yalding and East Farleigh

(7)       The Maidstone JTB raised the key issue was the funding of vehicle movement surveys to produce the necessary evidence to instigate a weight limit on Yalding Bridge in order to relieve the area of excessive heavy lorry movements in the area. It was considered that in order to ensure that the imposition of a weight limit and consequent re-direction of lorries did not have an adverse impact on other locations, a Kentwide Freight Strategy would be produced during the current financial year which would consider a number of options. An opportunity would also be taken to up-date the lorry route map which was produced some four years ago and was now out of date.  The Freight Strategy, once complete, would be put on a future agenda of this Board.  At this point, it was not proposed to take any further action on the imposition of a weight limit on Yalding bridge.

(8)       In response to the increasing concerns relating to use of inappropriate routes by HGVs using satellite navigation systems, KCC had been collating complaints received to identify locations that were frequently affected by inappropriate use of minor roads by HGVs.

(9)       In response to this KCC were developing the following list of strategies to effectively manage the HGV traffic on its network:-

·                    Undertake a Kentwide Freight Strategy.

·                    Introduce multilingual route signing to direct British and foreign lorry traffic to and from commercial premises by the most appropriate routes.

·                    Update and publicise a ‘Kent Lorry Route Map’ for lorry drivers to direct them to principal commercial areas.

·                    Promoting 'Freight Quality Partnerships' to ensure working in partnership with Freight Associations, the police and other bodies to promote good practice and develop innovative ideas.

·                    Continue regular liaison with the DfT, Ordnance Survey and Sat Nav companies to improve the accuracy and quality of data being provided.

·                    Continue to press the DfT to provide some leadership in the development of In-Vehicle Information Systems (IVIS) legislation.

(10)     The Board noted the report.