Decision details

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.

As Cabinet Member for Planning, Highways, Transport and Waste I agree to give:

i)     approval to the outline design for the A2500 Lower Road Widening, for public consultation, development control and land charge disclosures as shown on Drawing. No. 0323-PH2-PE-001 Rev 0. (Fig. 1)

ii)    to progress the design through the next stages of development and delivery including any ancillary works such as drainage and environmental mitigation;

iii)   to take all steps necessary to obtain and implement all statutory Orders and approvals or consents required for the schemes;

iv)   to enter into land and funding agreements associated with development contributions;

v)    to enter into construction contracts as necessary for the delivery of the scheme subject to the approval of the Strategic Commissioning Board to the recommended procurement strategy; and

vi)   for the Corporate Director of Growth, Environment & Transport, under the Officer Scheme of Delegations, to take further or other decisions as may be appropriate to deliver the A2500 Lower Road Improvement scheme in accordance with these recommendations and the earlier overarching decisions given under Record of Decisions 17/00025, that remains extant