Issue - meetings

To consider and endorse the principles of the draft Thanet Transport Strategy and confirm support for the initial public consultation exercise to be progressed as part of the Thanet Local Plan process.

Tim Read (Deputy Director for Highways, Transport and Waste) and James Wraight (Principle Transport and Development Planner) were in attendance for this item.

1.    Tim Read (Deputy Director for Highways, Transport and Waste) introduced the report that set out an overview of the draft Thanet District Transportation Strategy and its progress to date, including the future consultation and democratic process in relation to the emerging Thanet Local Plan. Mr Read said that the report asked Members to endorse the principles of the draft Thanet Transport Strategy and support the public consultation exercise.

2.    James Wraight (Principle Transport and Development Planner) said that the draft Thanet Transportation Strategy was jointly developed with Thanet District Council. The aim of the strategy was to encourage sustainable transport, manage journey time, improve resilience of the network and reduce the requirement to travel in accordance with the National Planning Policy Framework. The Strategy referred to the Inner-circuit improvement route that complimented the existing primary road network in Thanet and would provide enhanced access to rural communities via a socially viable bus service provision.

3.    In terms of infrastructure there was no financial obligation on Kent County Council to fund the infrastructure within the Transport Strategy. It would be largely funded by development and there was viability work carried out by Thanet District Council to assess the viability of the local plan which would then shape the final version of the Transport Strategy.

4.    The strategy would be presented to the Joint Transportation Board (JTB) and then to the District Council in January 2018.

5.    In regards to external funding, Thanet District Council submitted a £10m bid for housing infrastructure funding.

6.    In response to issues raised around Parkway, this was subject to its own planning application in 2018. Discussions had taken place with bus operators in relation to the inner-circuit route and how this would benefit resident’s within Thanet.

7.    RESOLVED that the Cabinet Members consider and endorse the principles of the draft Thanet Transport Strategy and support the initial public consultation exercise to be progressed as part of the Thanet Local Plan process, be endorsed.