Agenda item

(Report by Head of Transport and Development)

(Mr L Christie was present for this item)

       (1)        A report on Downs Road and Hog Lane, Northfleet was considered by the Board on 8 May 2008.  These were narrow country lanes linking the hamlet of Northfleet Green and Istead Rise (south of A2) with the Pepperhill and Painters Ash estates in Northfleet; linking residents with the primary school at Painters Ash and local shops and doctors surgery.  

       (2)        The section of the route from Northfleet Green Road (just south of the Channel Tunnel Rail link) had been closed since August 2006 and under the A2 widening permission it was due to reopen later in the year with no restrictions as to its use.     It had been thought that the road would reopen in October but works had taken longer in that area than previously expected.

(3)        The temporary closure of the road was an opportune time to carry out Public Consultation as to its future use.  There were marginally more people wanting the road closed to motorised vehicles than those wishing it to be kept open for cars, vans and motor cyclists.   However, the route had been a public highway for well over 100 years, was more convenient and shorter for local people and avoided the need for them to tangle with main road traffic.  It was particularly important for residents of Northfleet Green who would otherwise have to use a blind junction onto New Barn Road to go to Painters Ash.    On the other hand the lanes were used recreationally by walkers, cyclists and horse riders.

       (4)        The decision resulting from the earlier Board meeting was a compromise in that the road should be kept open for vehicles less than 7 ft wide which would be enforced by physical width restrictions; the use of the road would then be monitored for a year after reopening and the restrictions reviewed. 

(5)        Traffic Regulation Orders for the road, for a ‘30 mph speed limit’, ‘No stopping’ and ‘6 ft 6’’ width restriction’ (to be enforced by 7 ft wide physical measures at either end of the road) were advertised towards the end of September.  The closing date for Objections to the Orders was 13 October and resulted in one Objection from the Highways Agency and, although not a formal objection to the Orders, two letters from residents of Downs Road, one from a resident of an adjacent road and a 107 signature petition from a mixture of other residents of Downs Road and mainly walkers against reopening the road.

       (6)        The letters and petition contrast the 148 signature petition reported to the Board in May from local residents who wanted the road to remain open as it was their most convenient link for facilities.

       (7)        The Board agreed that with opposing views remaining as to whether the road was reopened or not, a year’s trial period with the road open appeared to still be the best compromise.  

       (8)        The Board supported the proposal for recommendation to the Cabinet Member for Environment, Highways and Waste that:-

(a)             the Traffic Regulation Orders for a ‘30 mph speed limit’, ‘no stopping’ and ‘6ft 6inch width restriction’ on the sections of Hog Lane and Downs Road between Northfleet Green Road and just north of old A2 be confirmed for a trial period of 12 months; and

     (b)              the appropriate signing and physical width restrictions to be in place on the reopening of the road later in the year.