Minutes:
Mr P Osborne - Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, Mr D Wimble – Cabinet Member for (the) Environment presented the Item. Simon Jones-Corporate Director for Growth, Environment and Transport and Matthew Smyth-Director for Environment and Andrew Loosemore- Head of Highways were in attendance.
1.Mr Osborne highlighted the following aspects of the verbal update.
a) The successful launch of the new online reporting tool had enabled residents to report and track pothole issues. Future enhancements to the portal aimed to expand its functionality to encompass reporting for street lighting, drainage, and landscaping.
b) Sixty salt gritters would be available with an additional four held in reserve. A total of 23,000 tonnes of gritting salt had been stockpiled in preparation for the winter period. Local farmers would also be on standby to assist with clearing and supporting more rural communities.
c) The Galley Hill restoration works feasibility design and business case development was currently underway to support the reopening of the route. Two options of either a bridge or reinforced embarkment were to be explored. In relation to the Road of Remembrance cliff collapse it was discussed that the site remained subject to an options appraisal phase to determine suitable bank stabilisation measures and to explore potential funding opportunities.
d) The contract for Bearsted Road has been awarded at a value of £10.9 million, with work having progressed well. Improvements to Bluebell Hill valued at £200 million, had also been approved and site surveys would be underway. The rapid EV charging project would also commence in November.
e) A total of 22,000 pothole repairs had now been completed. In addition, 250,000 square metres of patching,210,000 square metres of resurfacing and 825,000 square metres of surface works were undertaken. The cost of the Kent Travel Saver had been supressed, with transport efficiencies contributing to a £2.5 million saving. The parish seminar was held recently with over 100 parishes having attended.
1.Mr Wimble highlighted the following aspects of the verbal update.
a) Drapers (wind) Mill had been upgraded to Grade II status in recognition of its historical and architectural significance. Meopham Mill officially reopened in September following an extensive restoration period. Davidson Mill had also seen sail repairs take place.
b) Eight county parks had retained their green flag status, with six of the parks securing gold awards at the South and South East in Bloom (SSEIB) competitions. Grove Ferry had been crowned Country Park of the Year.
c) ‘New reuse’ shops had been opened at the New Romney and Allington household waste recycling centres. Allington had seen a saving on 10,000 tonnes of waste in two weeks.
d) The customer satisfaction survey received 6,469 responses and had revealed that 96% of users were satisfied or extremely satisfied with their visit. In addition, 74% were able to attend on a same?day booking, while 97% successfully booked at their preferred date and time.
e) The recent food waste campaign had achieved savings of £260,000. A 20% increase in food waste reduction had been observed in areas where awareness initiatives were implemented.
f) The Tree Council had provided a £39,557 grant to aid in the planning of 6,000 trees. £150,000 had been secured from the Kent farming, food and drink innovators to aid in improving growth opportunities throughout Kent and Medway.
g) The latest round of Solar Together launched and had delivered 3,730 rooftop solar panel systems. The Cross Channel Geopark would be preparing to apply to become the first UNESCO land?sea border submission. In addition, a Cross Channel Geopark festival would take place in Dover on 7–8 November.
3. Simon Jones gave a corporate verbal update that encompassed:
a) The corporate Director highlighted the enhancement and infrastructure improvements underway across the county, including the continued maintenance of at least 150 vital bus routes.
b) Upcoming highway maintenance contract would be signed imminently and followed on from two years of significant preparation. The Contract would be effective from April 2026.
c) The EU’s Entry/Exit System was introduced on 12 October. No notable issues had been observed to date, although potential impacts over the Christmas period and into the New Year were acknowledged.
d) Ramsgate Tunnel had reopened following complex works. It was further reported that the Road Safety and Active Travel Team had attended 56 parish and town council meetings and delivered 33 highway improvement plans.
4.Members asked the following questions on the verbal updates:
a) Members praised the works completed in Thanet and acknowledged the intervention of officers. Andrew Loosemore provided an update on the reduced speed limit along the Thanet Way, noting that no significant impacts had been observed. Road safety inspections and safety audits would continue to monitor any undulations to assess whether any deterioration had occurred.
b) Concerns were raised about the continued closure of Galley Hill Road (anticipated until 2027) and queried on the current funding available to remedy the situation. Simon Jones explained that National Highways had faced funding constraints. It would be considered more strategic to engage with the Department for Transport (DfT) to explore potential funding opportunities for this critical infrastructure. Some certain funding streams were known and the root cause of the issue which was still under investigation was believed to be linked to a utility company failure at the affected location. This raised a legitimate question as to the extent to which such circumstances should influence the cost of restitution
c) Should a broader legal discussion arise, Kent County Council would seek clarity on the appropriate course of action. From the highway authority’s perspective, the priority remained to reopen the road as quickly as possible. The current road closure notice would be necessarily open?ended to provide the maximum flexibility at the current stage. Until sufficient funding was secured to undertake the required works the situation would remain challenging.
d) Members raised that no Member Working Groups of Plan Bee had taken place. Mr Wimble confirmed that meetings would continue and would be open to portfolio holders with responsibility for environment and/or waste. He further acknowledged that he had no objection to a cross?party initiative continuing.
e) Clarification on EV charging was requested by Members and the £12 million pound investment. Simon Jones addressed the concerns and added that the EV update would be presented at a future Cabinet Committee.
f) Members raised concerns regarding adherence to the speed reduction on the Thanet Way. Officers indicated that Police patrols would be undertaken to ensure compliance. Should issues persist, the matter would be raised with the Kent and Medway Road Safety Partnership to support consideration of further speed limit measures.
g) A Member discussed a recent local resurfacing works which had omitted a nearby pothole. The Member expressed disappointment that the issue was not addressed at the time and discussed the potential additional costs of returning to the site. Mr Osborne acknowledged the concern and suggested that time constraints and the use of inappropriate material may have been the rationale on why the pothole was left unfilled.
h) Simon Jones echoed the Cabinet Members response and suggested that contractor materials, cost planning constraints and levels of authority could have prevented the repair. Mr Osborne addressed the Members concern and suggested that he would look into the issue personally.
i) Officers acknowledged the issues raised regarding traffic impacts in Dartford and outlined potential mitigation measures. It was suggested that governmental support could provide a quicker solution. Roads, road signage, and diversion routes would remain under constant review to ensure that impacts on residents were kept to a minimum.
j) Collaborative works with Traffic England and other authorities would need to continue to improve, with officers and the Cabinet Member reviewing on how to make projects move quicker and unlock funding to assist local communities.
RESOLVED to note the Verbal Updates