Purpose

Proposed decision:
 
The Cabinet Member for
Highways and Transport is asked to give approval to progress
thetraffic calming scheme through the stages
of development and delivery and as indicated below, specifically
to:
 

             
i.       
Approve the delivery of a traffic calming scheme to
mitigate the impact of traffic arising from the Kings Hill Phase 3
development

           
ii.       
Approve that the cost of staff and consultant time
to project manage, input into the delivery and supervision of the
scheme, be recoverable against the S106 Developer Contributions and
Kent Lane Rental funding;

          
iii.       
Approve to progress all statutory approvals or
consents required for the scheme;

          
iv.       
Approve the implementation of permanent Traffic
Regulation Orders, if required as such associated with any speed
limit reductions, subject to completing the statutory consultation
process associated with Traffic Regulation Orders;

           
v.       
Approve any additional consultation/engagement as
required for the scheme;

          
vi.       
Approve to enter into construction contracts as
necessary for the delivery of the scheme subject to a review of the
procurement strategy by the Strategic Commissioning team;
and

         
vii.       
Delegate authority to the Corporate Director of
Growth, Environment and Transport in consultation with the Cabinet
Member for Highways and Transport to take relevant actions,
including but not limited to finalising the terms of and entering
into required contracts or other legal agreements, as necessary to
implement the decision.

 
Reason for the decision
 
From
23 May to 3 July 2023, Kent County Council (KCC) consulted on
proposals for a junction improvement scheme at Kent Street and A228
Malling Road in Maidstone. The junction currently has very poor
visibility for vehicles wishing to turn out and into the A228
Malling Road from Kent Street. The scheme proposes to install
traffic signals at the junctions on Malling Road and Kent Street,
widening of the carriageway widths to aid heavy goods vehicles
(HGVs) and turning in to Kent Street, create a push button
pedestrian crossing facility on Malling Road and construct a shared
cycle and footway along Malling Road.
 
Background – Provide brief additional context
 

-       
S106 developer funding agreement was secured from
Kings Hill Phase 2 development and carried through to the S106
developer funding agreement for the Phase 3 development.
 

-       
The funds are for ‘Local Traffic Management
and Calming’ for a scheme at Kent Street, Mereworth junction with the A228 designed to
mitigate the impact of traffic arising from the Development and to
enhance safety and conditions for local residents, pedestrians and
cyclists;
 
Options (other options considered but discarded)

-       
Other potential scheme options were considered as
part of an option appraisal process and consulted on, however none
of these were considered to be suitable alternatives as they did
not improve the visibility for vehicles exiting Kent Street West
and Kent Street East onto the A228 Malling Road. The option of not
promoting upgrades to the local road network was also considered
not to be feasible due to the road safety implications and proposed
development growth within the district and neighbouring districts
with additional large vehicle movements through a narrow section of
the route between Mereworth and Kings
Hill.
 
How the proposed decision supports the

Framing Kent's Future
- Our Council Strategy 2022-2026
 
Levelling Up Kent
– The scheme is located within the District of Tonbridge
& Malling and will provide enhanced safety and visibility on
the highway network near to Kings Hill, a very busy mixed use
development. The proposed walking and cycling infrastructure will
provide enhanced active travel opportunities which will contribute
towards improving the health of the local population.
 
Infrastructure for
Communities – The scheme is consistent with
‘Infrastructure First’ principles by accelerating the
delivery of key transport infrastructure and enhancing leverage of
external infrastructure investment within the district from central
government. The scheme will also contribute towards providing
viable and attractive travel options that focus on both road and
active travel modes. It is predominantly from developer
contributions associated with Kings Hill.
 
How the
proposed decision supports Securing Kent’s Future 2022
-2026:
Securing Kents Future
- Budget Recovery Strategy.pdf
 
The scheme will not
impact on the 2023/24 or 2024/25 core budgets. All scheme
development activities will be funded by existing (ringfenced)
external sources, therefore the scheme will not compromise
Objective 1. No funding is required from the council’s
feasibility reserve which is relevant to Objective 2. The close
alignment of the scheme to Framing Kent’s Future is therefore
consistent with Objective 3. 

Decision

As Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport,
I agree to:
 
i.         
Approve the delivery of a traffic calming scheme to mitigate the
impact of traffic arising from the Kings Hill Phase 3
development.
ii.         Approve
that the cost of staff and consultant time to project manage, input
into the delivery and supervision of the scheme, be recoverable
against the S106 Developer Contributions and Kent Lane Rental
funding.
iii.        Approve to
progress all statutory approvals or consents required for the
scheme.
iv.        Approve the
implementation of permanent Traffic Regulation Orders, if required
as such associated with any speed limit reductions, subject to
completing the statutory consultation process associated with
Traffic Regulation Orders.
v.         Approve
any additional consultation/engagement as required for the
scheme.
vi.        Approve to
enter into construction contracts as necessary for the delivery of
the scheme subject to a review of the procurement strategy by the
Strategic Commissioning team; and
vii.       Delegate authority
to the Corporate Director of Growth, Environment and Transport in
consultation with the Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport to
take relevant actions, including but not limited to finalising the
terms of and entering into required contracts or other legal
agreements, as necessary to implement the decision.