SD341 resolution

This time I held off writing anything about the Network Rail works to replace the railway bridge near Crockenhill that has been closed, shutting off access to public footpath SD341, since October 2017. I had twice - in March and in June - eagerly anticipated weekend works that would replace the bridge, only for this to be confounded by bad weather.

So I didn't rush to the keyboard when I heard that the works were due to take place on Sunday 15 September, and for whatever reason this time the weather was benign and the works went ahead.  Once some brickwork is completed, the path should reopen around 7 October.

KCC's 20mph policy review

Last month, KCC's Environment and Transport Cabinet Committee considered a report on policy towards 20mph zones.

KCC has been quite open to 20mph zones; there are more than 1,000 roads with such zones across the County, and some 22 schemes covering 286 roads have been approved in the last two years. Nonetheless, the application of Department for Transport guidance, and the matching view of Kent Police regarding effective enforcement, runs counter to the strong commitment of some campaigners to a much wider application of the zones.

The KCC report follows the national study by Atkins, which gave some support to the benefits of 20 mph zones. It also sought to address the issue (reflected in current DfT guidance) of the need for traffic calming measures to reinforce signage only schemes when speeds exceed 24 mph, and proposed use of innovative and less intrusive traffic calming methods.

KCC officers therefore proposed, and the Committee agreed, a two-stage approach, under which schemes can demonstrate community support and gain sponsorship from a County Councillor, followed by the use of traffic calming measures (such as gateway features and centre line removals) where speeds are in the 24 to 28 mph range. A number of pilot projects will be brought forward in the coming year to test out the approach.

SD341: delayed again

Once again, my most recent post on the replacement of the railway bridge crossed by SD341, and the consequent reopening of SD341, proved premature.

This time we got as far as Network Rail and its contractors having the new bridge in place and the railway line closed with bus replacement services in operation. However, as in March, the winds were too high, installation did not proceed and on Monday the replacement bridge was driven away. I understand that the next attempt is likely to be in September, and will post again once I know more.

A dispiriting turn in this long-running saga.

SD341: bridge replacement works due to start

Network Rail's replacement of its bridge in Crockenhill, postponed from March, now looks set to get under way.

Network Rail have permits in place for today and tomorrow for vegetation clearance. Waiting restrictions will apply in Green Court Road and Stones Cross Road from 7am tomorrow (Friday 14 June) until 6am on Monday (17 June) to keep the roads clear.   This will allow heavy vehicles, lifting equipment and bridge sections to get to the site).  

The bridge should be replaced over the weekend. It, and with it public footpath SD341, should be open from 24 June.

Taxi bus service to start on Monday

Following KCC's Big Conversation on support for rural public transport, the first of the resulting pilot schemes to get under way starts running on Monday, and it's in part of the Darent Valley.

The Sevenoaks taxi bus will run from Fairseat and Stansted to West Kingsdown, then into East Hill, down into Otford (by the station) and finally to Sevenoaks (bus station). It will run off peak, Mondays to Fridays, with set stops but also a hail and ride facility in more rural areas such as East Hill.

The taxi bus model uses a smaller vehicle suitable to the patronage expected in this area. Concessionary Travel passes are accepted (though a voluntary contribution of £1 may be made); other fares will be £3 for a single journey, £5 for a return (and £1 for a child). The service is run by Express Cabs and Couriers, in partnership with Kent County Council.

Other pilot schemes in Tenterden and Sandwich will be getting under way in the next few weeks. The latest on the rural transport initiatives, including details and timetable for the Sevenoaks pilot, can be found on the Kent County Council website.

A new commitment on fly-tipping

KCC's new policy of introducing a modest charge on certain forms of 'non-household waste', such as rubble and hardcore, at its 18 Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs) will come into effect on 3 June.

The policy is a controversial one, with many residents concerned that it will lead to an increase in fly-tipping, especially in rural areas (such as my own Division of Sevenoaks North and Darent Valley). The County Council argues that experience elsewhere - and many other authorities have introduced such a charge - does not indicate that fly-tipping will increase. There is evidence to support this claim, but it isn't widely accepted (as I know from my own experience of discussing the issue at parish and residents' association meetings).

At the County Council meeting last Thursday, KCC Leader Paul Carter, while confirming that the charges will go ahead, made three key announcements linked to its implementation:

• Despite earlier concerns, agreement has been reached with Medway Council that the reciprocal rights of each council's residents to use the other's recycling facilities (an important issue for Kent residents living near the Medway border) will continue unchanged
• A new KCC HWRC will be established at Allington in Tonbridge and Malling (and near Maidstone) to serve the local area and ease pressure on Medway's facility at Cuxton
• £250,000 will be invested in additional measures to work with District Councils to tackle fly tipping, including ultimately bringing prosecutions against offenders

All these announcements are very welcome, especially the last. I have always regretted that the County Council, as part of its heavy savings requirements in recent years, had to scale back the 'Clean Kent' initiatives by which it worked with the Districts to tackle fly tipping. This went beyond our statutory duties but was well worth it. We still provide some enforcement support and expertise, but hopefully this new commitment will get us back a little to the more extensive role taken by the County Council in tackling what remains one of resdients' most common concerns.

Bus service changes in Kemsing

Recently Arriva has announced that it is ceasing the Number 2 bus service from Kemsing to Sevenoaks (which includes a service to the Sevenoaks schools - Knole, Trinity and the Weald annex), with effect from this coming weekend. This is a commercial service, and the judgement about the viability of the route is the company's. KCC does not commission or subsidise such routes, but it will always examine the options (and in this case had good notification from Arriva) and work with the bus companies to try to find a solution, or at least a mitigation.

That is what KCC officers have done in this case, and Go Coach has stepped forward with its number six service to fill in many of the gaps. As is often the case, this does not substitute in full – for example there is a loss of services later in the day – but does nonetheless provide cover, including with respect to the school journeys albeit combined into one service (with a larger vehicle) from two. It is good that Go Coach have stepped forward in this way, and we will have to see how the new replacement service works out.