Agenda item

(1)       Following the recent Autumn Statement by the Government, which outlined a range of major transport proposals, it was an opportune moment to update Members on progress with the key proposals contained in the County Council’s 20 year transport delivery plan, Growth without Gridlock.

(2)        Additional Thames Crossing

Officers had been working with partners in the South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP) to press the DfT for increased capacity and improvements to the crossing of the Thames, one notable success being the recent announcement to postpone the increase of charges on the Dartford Crossing. Following the Government’s commitment in the Comprehensive Spending Review to undertake an unbiased assessment of the three crossing options, they had now invited tenders to carry out the work which was expected to commence in February 2012 with consultation to follow in mid 2013.

(3)       Operation Stack

In response to the Operation Stack Summit in July, three low cost lorry park proposals had been developed with input from the Highways Agency and Kent Police. The next step was to complete the environmental impact assessment and prepare a planning application.

(4)       A21 Dualling Tonbridge to Pembury

In October 2011, the County Council submitted a revised proposal that could be delivered locally by KCC for less than £70m, compared to the Highways Agency scheme cost of £120m. The County Council was extremely disappointed that the scheme was not given the go-ahead in the recent Autumn Statement. To help build the case for the scheme, an Economic Impact Assessment was currently being carried out which would be submitted to Ministers in spring 2012.

(5)       Rail improvements for East Kent

A new peak time high speed service to/from Deal and Sandwich, supported by the County Council, commenced in September with passenger uptake better than expected. The recent successful bid for Regional Growth Funding of £40m included allowance for Business Critical Infrastructure Grants which would support the delivery of infrastructure projects such as high speed rail enhancement on the Ashford to Ramsgate line. The construction of a Thanet Parkway Station was the subject of a first-round Regional Growth Fund bid in January 2011. Unfortunately the bid was unsuccessful, but the business case for the Station nevertheless remained very strong, with a Benefit-Cost Ratio of 5:1, and KCC would continue to work with Thanet District Council, Manston Airport and local businesses to identify suitable delivery opportunities.

(6)       Funding for transport infrastructure

Throughout the past 12 months, officers had met with Ministers and officials at DfT and DCLG, to call for greater flexibilities and freedoms around funding streams and local delivery. A business case for hypothecation of funding from new revenue streams was being developed with DfT officials, alongside discussions with investment bankers to gauge market appetite for investment in strategic transport infrastructure. The Government had proposed a new system of funding major schemes beyond 2015 through Local Transport Consortia which would provide greater freedoms and decentralisation of decision making to Local Transport Authorities.

(7)               During debate the following issues were raised:-

(a)   MrCollor asked for the number of times Operation Stack had been activated.  Mr Sweetland informed Members that over the last 5 calendars years there had been 31 incidences –

·        Bad weather 11

·        Volume of traffic 4

·        Technical problems with the Channel Tunnel 9

·        French industrial action 4

·        Ferry operators industrial action 3

(b)   Mr Pascoe asked if it was possible to prevent lorries entering Kent.  Mr Crick said that variable message signing on motorways was deployed to deter drivers from entering Kent when Operation Stack was in force, but ultimately we could not force drivers not to carry on their journey.  Mr Crick undertook to supply Members with the relevant information, together with the number of days involved with the 31 incidences.

 (c) Mr Cubitt referred to the additional Thames Crossing and asked if an    environmental impact assessment was being carried out on the 3 options.  Mr Crick agreed that one was going to be undertaken.

           (d)  Mr Harrison referred to Operation Stack and the lack of facilities at   lay-bys which were occupied by lorries.  Mr Sweetland referred to the environmental impact assessment, and consequent planning consent.  Mr Crick stated that a revised scheme for an Operation Stack lorry park at Aldington had been estimated to be in the region of £25m.

          (e)  Mr Manning referred to Operation Stack and the discussion which took place 4/5 years ago, relating to the quick movable barrier which cost the Highways Agency £500k per annum to rent whether or not it was actually deployed.  Regardless of current negotiations he stated that it was typical of the arrogance of the Highways Agency. No reference was ever made to the costs and time involved.

 (8)     RESOLVED that the progress outlined in the report, be noted.