Doddington and Newnham Traffic Calming Group
Minutes of a meeting held on Tuesday 25th
September 2001
at Doddington Village Hall
Present: Justin
Horsfall-Turner, Ian Woodhouse, Sue Gunner, John Adgie, Sally Evans, Ken Seyler
Apologies: Janet Bell, Brian Seath, Mike Jarrett, Val Tolhurst, Martin
Holloway, Pauline Gaston.
Circulation: Derek Haselup and Malcolm Webster
Minutes of the meeting held on 14th August 2001-09-27
The minutes were agreed as an accurate record of the
meeting.
Matters arising from the previous meeting.
Newsletter inset to drivers in Doddington, Newnham and surrounding villages
Sue reported that the newsletter insert had been completed and would be going out in the October newsletter. It had been proposed that the insert should also be included in the Lynstead, Eastling and Lenham newsletters. Sue reported that a response is awaited from Eastling and that Lynstead and Lenham has yet to be contacted, Sue will follow this up. (Action by Sue Gunner)
Mail shot to residents of both villages
Ian reported that he had been in contact with the Swale road safety officer Martin Read who had been able to supply a large number of road safety/traffic calming leaflets that could be distributed. More were awaiting delivery however there were sufficient to begin a mail drop in advance of preparing the newsletter, which a Doddington resident had offered to design.
Following discussion it was felt that Newnham and Doddington should do separate basic A4 B&W newsletters as these could be produced at home and that leaflets could be sent out with the newsletter.
Access to group on the website
Ian reported that having spoken to Alistair Clinton, the group's aims & objectives, minutes and other information was now available on the Doddington Website.
Request to Swale for speed checks to coincide with the S.I.D.
Police checks in the two weeks prior and two weeks after S.I.D.s deployment had been confirmed for Doddington with the checks to be staggered between the playing field and the school. The idea being that with a concentrated 'purge' the village would get a reputation, and traffic would hopefully be calmed in the short term.
Sue reported that Newnham had requested S.I.D. but had not yet receive a reply this is to be followed up in addition to a request from Newnham for police checks. (Action by Sue Gunner)
Dummy speed cameras
Sue reported that this approach had been used in Staffordshire, however before considering going down this route we would need to ascertain whether the Police would have any objections. It was generally agreed that this was still worth considering as a stopgap and that the feasibility of this initiative would be investigated by John. (Action by John Adgie)
Ideas for other interim traffic calming measures
Ian asked if members had any further interim traffic calming measure that could be employed in the wait until the hard calming measures are actioned.
The idea of roadside posters was again discussed and would be considered further. Justin also proposed that the school could be asked to design watch your speed posters that could be used near village signs. It was agreed that highways would be approached for their view on this before approaching the school. (Action by I Woodhouse)
White lining of the C258, Doddington to A20
Ian reported that he had received a response from Maidstone Highways and had also had a discussion with them regarding the type of lining, reasons for requesting the lining and also the urgency of action on this matter from a safety more that a traffic calming perspective. No action reported from Newnham. Ian will continue to pursue. (Action by I Woodhouse)
Group Funding
Ian reported that Doddington Parish Council had agreed funding of ?100 for the remainder of the financial year to be used for hire of hall, stationary expenses, printing and other costs, additional funding may also be considered for specific projects but would need Parish Council approval. The funding is also conditional on match funding by partners in Newnham.
Sue reported that Brian Seath was of the opinion that we should be doing this on a voluntary basis and using our own computers for printing.
With Newnham Parish Council not being prepared to financially support the group the funding from Doddington may also be at risk It was agreed that Sue would request that Newnham match the financial support offered by Doddington and get back to Ian as soon as possible in order that he can secure Doddington's funding. (Action by Sue Gunner)
Unsuitable for heavy goods vehicles except for access signs
It was generally thought that no progress can be made on this issue until the traffic calming is being planned with Highways, this objective will therefore be deferred until 2002 and highways involvement. Ian will however raise the issue with a sympathetic Swale Councillor. (Action by I Woodhouse)
Finalising those initiatives identified by Sally in her
landscape enhancements update
that the group would pursue to change drivers
attitudes, enhance the environment and achieve speed reductions long the C258.
Following months of work the following proposals were put to the group for agreement:
1. AONB Kent Downs (you are entering the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) signage as 'gateways' at M2 bridge and A20. (Supported Sally to put forward to AONB as a pilot scheme)
2. View point or points providing increased awareness of the AONB, countryside management, and the areas features. (Supported btut with the reservation that this will need sensitive handling)
3. AONB to agree 'sensitive' verge and lower hedge management for the C258 with Maidstone & Swale Highways rather than the 'scalp it' or nothing approach currently practiced. (Supported Sally to investigate)
4. Newnham end of Doddington: working with the landowner to establish natural verge strip between the road and cultivation and, planting of trees to restore the wooded avenue between the villages lost in the 87 storm. (Supported Sally to investigate)
5. Doddington playing field: developing a plan for the replanting of native trees along the roadside boundary and sensitive use of native shrubs to break up the line of the new railings. (supported Sally and Ian to Investigate)
6. Supporting the AONB in approaching landowners along the C258 to improve roadside boundaries for wildlife. Hedging to be approached from a wildlife angle and in line with cooperation / priorities of landowners eg. Mr Oldfield, water company, sports club? (No proposal for continuous hedging). (Supported Sally to investigate)
7. Supporting the AONB in approach landowners and discuss management of sites in coordination with the Kent Wildlife Trust Wildlife Sites Officer (Supported Sally to investigate)
8. Supporting the AONB to approach all landowners regarding general landscape enhancement: replacement of hedges, woodland management, orchard restoration etc . . . (Supported Sally to investigate)
9. Supporting the AONB in highlighting the several interesting wildlife sites along and surrounding the route. (Sites of Nature Conservation Interest (SNCIs) are sites which have good potential to develop very high species interest / diversity). (Supported Sally to investigate)
10. Negotiate for the removal of 'urban' reflective posts from the roadside when re-white lining is completed. (Not Supported)
11. Negotiate with Mr Oldfield for the replacement of the metal fencing bordering the 'Place' with something to enhance the environment. (Not Supported)
The agreement on environmental enhancements will now be take forward by Sally for the SONB and also by Ian where Doddington is involved. (Action by S Evans & I Woodhouse)
Finalising presentations on specific points in Newnham village posing significant risk from speed, size and weight of traffic
It was reported that Brian Seath had not progressed the presentation, Sue will again investigate what progress has been made. (Action by Sue Gunner)
Opportunity for report from the Newnham
team.
There was nothing further to report from Newnham
Opportunity for report from the Doddington team.
There was nothing further to report from Doddington
General discussion of potential traffic calming
measures, which may be appropriate, effective and would not detract from the
rural environment.
In view of the time and discussions to date this
item was deferred
A.O.B.
None
Date of next meeting
There was some difficulty identifying a date for the next meeting, a provisional date of 8th November was suggested, however there was uncertainty regarding members and hall availability, this date remains provisional only and has to be confirmed.