Agenda item

The Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport

·         Update on Find and Fix pothole campaign

·         Young Person’s Travel Pass take up

·         Launch of “Discovery” bus ticket

·         Imminent completion of North Farm highway improvement scheme, Tunbridge Wells

The Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport, Mr Balfour, made the following comments and announcements:

a)    Gratitude was expressed for the hard work of Kent County Council officers who had successfully carried out the work at Willington Street despite being delayed by Operation Stack.

b)    An update was given on the Find and Fix pothole campaign. In April 2015 the council identified an additional £2 million to deliver this scheme. Another successful ‘Find and Fix’ programme had been delivered over the summer months, with only a small number of jobs to be finalised. The works were delivered by local Kent companies who are part of the Amey supply chain for highways maintenance.

c)    Following a review of the Young Person’s Travel Pass scheme, the subsidy was reduced for this school year, resulting in an increase in the cost of the pass from £200 to £250 per year. It was emphasised this pass still represented excellent value for money for the home to school journey, and this was reflected in the take-up, which had not substantially reduced. However, the start of the application process was delayed this year, and applications continue to be received.  All passes for on-time applications, plus many for late applications, had been delivered to schools for the start of term.

d)    The Discovery Bus ticket was launched in Kent at an event at County Hall on 5 September. Officers from the Public Transport team have brokered the arrangements with operators and with neighbouring local authorities, and this has enabled the scheme, which already existed in East and West Sussex, Surrey and East Hampshire to be rolled out across Kent and Medway.   The Discovery tickets offers travel on any bus across the South East region for a cost of £8.50 for an adult or £7.00 for a child. Mr Balfour hoped this would increase the numbers of those visiting Kent.     

e)    The North Farm highway improvement scheme in Tunbridge Wells, which aimed to ease the very significant congestion around the North Farm retail area, was programmed to be substantially complete by 24 September, although there would be some minor works to do plus design alterations on the Knights Park roundabout surfacing during late September/early October. An official opening ceremony was being planned with Rt. Hon. Greg Clark MP attending, and invitations would be going out shortly to key stakeholders and businesses. The new Landscaping Contract was due to commence on the 2 November to introduce new planting throughout the scheme area (various grass mixes, trees and low level shrubs).

The following comments were made by the Cabinet Member and officers in response to questions raised by members of the committee:

1. In regards to the changes in bus routes Mr Balfour confirmed that protecting buses for scholars had been ensured. Philip Lightowler, Head of Public Transport, also explained that changes in bus routes addressed the issue of the commercial timetable being insufficient and the demand from Upchurch not being great enough. These changes reflected demand and were designed to make them more reliable. Mr Lightowler also stated there were Kent carriers in the area for vulnerable persons.
2. In response to a concern raised that there had been no mention in the verbal updates of the recent statistics on road fatalities Mr Balfour also stated that Kent County Council would be doing everything in its power to reduce fatalities on the roads.
3. It was also confirmed by Mr Balfour that further discussion on changes to the bus services would be welcomed.
4. Andrew Loosemore, Deputy Director Highways, Transportation and Waste, said  pot holes were edge sealed to prevent water ingress and this was part of the specification given to Amey and other sub-contractors. Overbanding pot holes was discretionary and was not done in all cases as it could be a hazard to cyclists and motorcyclists. An email providing further details would be circulated to all members of the committee.
5. In regards to a plea for more funding for road safety Mr Balfour suggested, with the Director’s approval, that a report would come to the Environment and Transport Cabinet Committee to discuss exactly what they could do.
6. Roger Wilkin, Interim Director of Highways, Transportation and Waste, explained that Kent County Council is part of a much larger picture with many other agencies working to decrease fatalities on our roads.
7. A view was expressed that the take up of the 11-16 young person’s pass after 4 years would be of interest to the committee as would information relating to risk assessments and statements from insurance companies for points of accidents. Mr Balfour confirmed the statistics on the take up of the 11-16 young person’s pass after 4 years would be provided to all members of the committee.
8. Mr Balfour confirmed that he would report the results of the pilot schemes in Hythe and Tunbridge Wells to a future meeting of the committee. He also confirmed that he would be raise the ‘Speed Watch’ initiative with Kent Police and the process for the introduction of 20mph.
9. In regards to concerns raised about pot holes on pavements in the Romney Marsh area Mr Balfour said he would investigate the laws relating to pot holes on pavements.