The A2500 Lower Road is a narrow single carriageway route, often described as the ‘missing link’ in Sheppey’s road network. This road currently does not provide a safe and suitable route for all users. The narrow road width, lack of verges and abutting hedgerows create a constrained corridor, with no facilities for cyclists or pedestrians. This effectively severs the connection for non-motorised road users between the residential areas of south Minster and employment opportunities in Queenborough and is a poor-quality route for vehicular traffic with ever-growing maintenance issues. Larger vehicles struggle to pass each other when traveling in opposite directions and this adds to the deterioration of the carriageway edge.
It is proposed to improve the A2500 Lower Road between Cowstead Corner and Barton Hill Drive and the Barton Hill Drive junction and provide a much need footway/cycleway link along Lower Road.
Decision type: Key
Reason Key: Expenditure or savings of more than £1m;
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Division affected: Sheppey;
Notice of proposed decision first published: 02/05/2018
Decision due: Not before 31st May 2018 by Cabinet Member for Planning, Highways, Transport and Waste
Reason: In order that the proposed decision can be published for a minimum of 28 days, in accordance with statutory requirements
Lead member: Cabinet Member for Planning, Highways, Transport and Waste
Lead director: Tim Read
Department: Growth, Environment & Transport
Contact: Richard Shelton, Project Manager - Major Projects 03000 419550 Email: Richard.Shelton@kent.gov.uk Tel: +443000419550.
Consultees
A report to the Environment and Transport Cabinet Committee on 13 March 2017 gave details of the Local Growth Fund (LGF) Growth deal (Round 3) that included the allocation of funding for the Lower Road Improvements and specifically the Barton Hill junction improvement (Phase1). The Record of Decision is 17/000025.
The proposals for Phase 1 were first presented to Minster Parish Council on 20 October 2016. This was followed by a presentation to Minster Parish Council on 7th December 2017, with an update on both Phase 1 and 2. The proposals for Phases 1 and 2 were presented to the Swale Joint Transportation Board on 18 December 2017. A public exhibition was held at the Minster Parish Council Office’s on 5 December 2017.
A further public engagement exercise is planned in June 2018 prior to commencement of construction of Phase 1 to give further information on the programme and traffic management required to build the new roundabout.
This proposal was considered and endorsed by Members of the Environment and Transport Cabinet Committee at their meeting on 15 May 2018.
Financial implications: The overall estimated cost of the scheme for both phases of the Lower Road improvements is £6.655m. • The estimated scheme cost for Phase 1 is £1.805m. • The estimated scheme cost for Phase 2 is £4.85m. Phase 1: The allocation from the Single Local Growth Fund for Phase 1 of £1.265m was formally confirmed by the SE LEP Accountability Board in June 2016 and there is a requirement to spend the allocation before the end of 2020/21. A total of £0.54m is to be provided via developer contributions. A s106 agreement for the contributions has been signed, with contributions due prior to commencement of the associated development. Phase 2: The allocation from the National Productivity Investment Fund of £3.195m was formally confirmed by the Department of Transport in a letter to the County Council dated 25 October 2017. There is a requirement to spend the allocation by March 2020. Match funding is being provided by a developer contribution of £1.455m, with a further £0.2m co
Legal implications: There are no immediate legal implications
Equalities implications: An Equalities Impact Assessment has been prepared, updated and approved and this will continue to be reviewed as the scheme development and design is progressed.