Agenda item

To Follow

Mr Barry Stiff, Project Manager – Major Capital Programme Team was in attendance. Mrs S Hamilton attended in her capacity as the Councillor for Tunbridge Wells Rural

1.  Mr Stiff introduced the paper and discussed the relating junction improvements that have occurred at two locations on Battle Road, Paddock Wood. The previous key decision occurred in 2021 and was now seeking changes due to the original proposals not having the desired benefits.

2.  Due to the changes implemented in 2018 by the Environment Agency and the designation of the area as a flood zone had impacted negatively the requirements of the design. Alternative options to the crossroads solution had been explored but these were not deemed viable.

3. The only option available was to widen the existing Badsfield Road into the land that’s provided through the 106 agreement and mitigate the traffic impact of the three developments that were providing funding for the scheme. A widening of the road would move the road six metres from the adjacent properties and enable maximization of retained area to flood mitigate. There would be a negative impact with the removal of several trees.

     4. The only viable option was progression of the scheme to deliver the required  mitigations. If the option was not progressed there would be no provision of traffic mitigation and an incurring abortive cost of £400,000 would also impact.

5.The Cabinet Member and Officers responded to questions of detail and noted comments, which included the following

·       It was suggested that communication to Paddock Wood residents needed to Improve. Residents had been left bitterly disappointed by the previous scheme failures Member explained.

·       Members highlighted that development mitigation had been added to the flood modelling; the current drainage channels had remained dry as an indication of successful mitigation. Advice would need to be sought from the Environment Agency to determine if the Leigh flood barriers upgrades had impacted.

·       The removal of the western cycle path and the addition that the footpath on the Northern section would allow for a shared route. This aspect would be one that should be reviewed as part of the detailed design.

1.    RESOLVED to endorse the proposed decision, namely:

That the Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport agree to:

i)               Approval to defer the improvement of A228/B2017 junction improvement.

ii)              Approval to use any surplus S106 funding to progress the feasibility and opportunities for voluntary land acquisition of an alternative A228/B2017 junction improvement for a larger roundabout

iii)            Approval to progress the amended B2017/B2160 junction improvement as shown indicatively on Drg. No. 60660469-ACM-01-SW-DR-HR-0105 through surveys, design and construction.

iv)            Approval for the proposed B2017/B2160 junction improvement shown on Drg. No. 60660469- ACM-01-SW-DR-HR-0105 to be used for Land Charge disclosures and development control.

v)              Approval to take a transfer of land for the B2017/B2160 junction improvement from an adjacent housing development under a section 106 planning obligation and to acquire any other land and rights as necessary.

vi)             Approval to progress any statutory approvals and consents including Traffic Regulation Orders required for the B2017/B2160 junction improvement scheme including detailed planning consent, drainage and environmental consents and securing temporary use of land for a construction site compound.

vii)            Approval to enter into construction contracts as necessary for the delivery of the B2017/B2160 junction improvement scheme subject to any internal approval process required to the proposed procurement strategy; and

viii)          Delegate authority to the Corporate Director of Growth, Environment and Transport Approval to take relevant actions, including but not limited to