Goudhurst and Kilndown Parish Council

GOUDHURST PARISH COUNCIL
Local Government for Goudhurst and Kilndown

HIGHWAYS AND FOOTPATHS COMMITTEE
Minutes of a Meeting held on Tuesday 01 November 2011 in The Jessel Room

Present: Cllrs Mrs Glendinning (Chairman), Bates, Boniface, Kirkby and Ward

Declarations of Interest: Cllr Glendinning declared a personal interest in Bedgebury Road, and Cllr Boniface in Tattlebury Lane.

Update on Highways Matters
KHS Log: at 01/11/11 The outstanding issue from the 30/8 report raised by GPC Highways has been resolved: Crash Barrier Damaged/Missing at Whites Cottage, Bedgebury Road.
There has been another change in staff at KHS. Cllr Ward attended a related seminar in July. Cllr Glendinning will request a liaison meeting with KHS in order to find out the appropriate contacts before the winter period during which the logging system for issues is not always immediate enough. It was agreed that all committee members should be able to report faults related to issues raised by residents in their neighbourhoods, access the system, and track them. Cllr Glendinning to follow up.

A262 junction with Tattlebury Lane. Highways received a letter requesting a ‘pedestrians in road’ sign to draw motorists’ attention to walkers as they turn off the A262 into Tattlebury Lane.
Local resident, Mrs Greta Clarke, who lives at the top of the lane near the A262, wrote requesting a new sign to alert traffic that her daughter and grandchild, among other parents and children use the lane on foot. She highlighted that coming out of her front house gate was perilous due to the bend, the steepness and narrowness of the lane which invites drivers to hug the hedge line at the top of the lane close to her gate. Her daughter, Alison Clarke was present at the meeting.
The clerk has logged the issue on the Kent Highways system for consideration, and the committee agreed to support the request, in addition to doing a site visit (not possible before the meeting).

B2079 Bedgebury Road/Lady Oak Lane. Further to Cllr Ward’s last note, there is yet no further update on Phase 3 of the Jacobs Report from KCC Highways (Andrew Burton) which was ‘on hold’. A costing for a reduction in speed limit to 40 mph in the Lady Oak Lane section between the entrance to the Pinetum and the A21 was obtained (£7,000) and Cllr Ward approached County Cllr Alex King for funding from his Members’ Fund, which he agreed would go in as a request for funding this year. Further, Lynne Day, Cllr King’s PA, has been in touch for a list of outstanding parish issues that might be raised at a meeting planned between Cllr King and Kent Highways. Cllr Ward therefore requested that two items were added on GPC’s behalf: the progress on the introduction of a speed limit to Lady Oak Lane, as above, and the quote promised by KHS for ‘hoggin’ to reinstate footways in the village. Cllr Ward also asked that GPC be kept in the loop.

Walking bus. A scheme for Goudhurst CEP was considered in detail by the previous headmaster, Paul Dorrington along with parents and parish councillors in 2008. The committee intends to revisit a report from that time in the light of a recent letter to parents from the school’s governing body. The letter encourages parents to find ways to bring children to and from school other than by car due to congestion in the car park. In a discussion, the committee agreed that the walking bus is chiefly a school initiative but that it would add to the need for safe walking routes into and around the village (a matter raised already by residents). GPC Highways could therefore support the introduction of such a scheme as part of its wider support for improved footways. Cllr Kirkby to liaise with Mrs Andrea Kirkby, who will try to ascertain if there is sufficient momentum among parents to set it up and run it, and report back.

Footways: namely those 1) along A262 between Ranters Lane and Blue Coats Lane; 2) Cranbrook Road from Chequers Inn to Green Trees Oast; 3)Chequers Road from Chequers Inn to School Lane; 4) North Road. Further to David Boniface’s last update, GPC is still awaiting a costing from KCC and local contractors for ‘hoggin’ type surfacing.

Public Transport. Cllr Boniface has noted that the timetables on the route from Marden to Goudhurst are wrong as they don’t show that buses are heading to Goudhurst. Cllr. Glendinning to follow up with KCC.
There was a meeting of the Tunbridge Wells Public Transport Forum in September. Cllr Mrs Glendinning was away and no other member was available to attend. The minutes are not yet available at the time of writing.
297/298 Sunday Service. GPC has been advised that the Kent subsidy for the 298 Sunday service, which included a stop at Pembury Hospital, has been cut due to the low number of people making journeys on this service. Earlier in the year GPC responded to proposals to cut the service, requesting that it was spared, and ran a consultation with residents on the parish website following the proposals, inviting residents to contact the Clerk with their views. No feedback was received. We have yet to discover from the minutes of the recent Public Transport Forum whether there are plans for rural transport to the hospital (at the June forum, no rural plans were evident). GPC is asked to agree a response to Tony Avenell of Transport Integration in order to acknowledge the decision to cut the Goudhurst service and raise the question of future public transport provision to hospital.

Winter 2011/12- The committee considered ‘winter’ at the previous meeting, and councillors agreed to monitor the supplies in the salt/grit bins in their own area. At that time, Cllr Ward said he would ask KCC Highways to confirm that the route in Curtisden Green/Colliers Green, which they made a ‘Secondary Gritting Route’ last winter, would have the same designation this winter. Cllr Ward reported subsequently that the new route had not been added to the system. Cllr Glendinning to follow up with Kent Highways.

Update on PROW Matters
WC36A. PCSO Laura Carey has requested that a new ‘No Cycling’ sign should replace the old one on the footpath in Brays Alley (WC36A) due to requests from local residents who have seen children riding down it on their bikes. Cllr Boniface to follow up with Jonathan Bibby.
PROW Maps of Goudhurst Parish: Cllr Boniface reported that the new maps have been completed. KCC has paid for this final revision but has advised that it cannot fund any future changes. Cllr Boniface said he made as many revisions as possible in this last printing, and the maps should stand the test of time. He wrote a short article on the walkers’ maps for the Autumn edition of the TWBC magazine Local, and is concerned that not many have been delivered to Goudhurst. He is following this up with TWBC.
New walking route from Goudhurst Village to Scotney. He reported that there is now a new walking route from Goudhurst to Scotney made possible by a route through National Trust land which goes round the hop features. The footway along Station Road between Ranters and Blue Coats Lane is still needed (listed above under Footways) and would enhance this route.
WC44. There has been a ‘theft’ of a bridge on PROW WC44 on the High Weald Landscape Trail. KCC will be replacing it.

Hop Pickers Line.
Noted that the next meeting is on 8/12/11 at 1.30pm in Goudhurst Parish Hall when it is hoped that it will be announced whether the required funding has been secured by KCC.

Cllr Nicky Glendinning
2/11/11

Minutes of a Meeting held in The Jessel Room on 15th December 2010, at 7.30 p.m.

Present: Cllrs Ward (Chairman), Crookall, Mrs Glendinning and Kirkby
Apologies: Cllr Boniface

Update on Highways Matters.
KHS Log. As at 15th October there were 3 outstanding issues shown on KHS website.
Flooding Lurkins Rise, Goudhurst
Flooding at Bean Farm, Rogers Rough, Kilndown
Complaint from residents that new 50mph sign, on B2079 between Gore Lane and Ballards Hill junction, is set too high and is obtrusive to private property.

B2079 Bedgebury Road/Lady Oak Lane. See separate report.

Footways. Costing for ‘hoggin’ paths (Station Road) still not received from KHS.

Traffic calming survey in High St, West Road and Back Lane, Goudhurst. Still no update from KHS.

Road Names. Ranters/Riseden Lane. TWBC (David Thompson) is discussing a proposed solution with
his Legal Team.

Salt/Grit bins. Local residents have raised concerns about the siting of the newly installed salt/grit bin at junction of Chicks Lane/Rogers Rough, Kilndown. This has been raised with KHS.

Snow Clearance Early December. The committee agreed that KHS had performed well over the week. In particular their prompt response to a request from the Governor HMP Blantyre House, supported by GPC, for clearance of the road from the A262 at Four Wents, past Blantyre and on to the B2079 in Curtisden Green was much appreciated. Besides Blantyre House, access along this route is shared with local residents, parents and staff at Colliers Green Primary School, Parents and staff accessing Bethany School, and the Ham Travel school bus for Cranbrook Grammar and Angley Schools.

Update on PROW Matters
Maps. The committee congratulated Cllr Boniface on the successful launch of the footpath maps and were most impressed with the clarity and detail included in the final product.

Cllr John Ward
31/12/10

HIGHWAYS AND FOOTPATHS COMMITTEE
Minutes of a Meeting held on Tuesday, 26th October 2010, at 7.30 p.m.

Present: Cllrs Ward (Chairman), Boniface and Mrs Glendinning,
Apologies: Cllrs Crookall and Kirkby

Update on Highways Matters.
KHS Log. As at 26th October there were only 2 outstanding issues shown on KHS website.

Flooding Lurkins Rise, Goudhurst
Missing bus stop sign North Road, Goudhurst.

Sight check of 2 ‘closed’ issues in Kilndown, however, were found not to have been done. Cllr Ward will raise with KHS.

B2079 Bedgebury Road. The long promised Jacobs report on B2079 (Bedgebury Road and Lady Oak Lane) had still not been published. KHS (Ray Dines – Transport & Development Manager) advised, 21st October, that ‘…there is a budget of £15,000 for these works in current financial year. The proposed works will include the following elements:-
Verge Marker Posts
Cats eyes
Better signs
Cutting back of vegetation
He also promised that ‘As soon as we have detailed plans… we will share these with the Parish Council.’ The receipt of these will be chased.

Footways. Costing for ‘hoggin’ paths along A262, particularly Ranters Lane to Blue Coat Lane, still not received from KHS.

Traffic calming survey in High St, West Road and Back Lane, Goudhurst. Still no update from KHS.

Road Names. Ranters/Riseden Lane Cllr Ward is discussing with TWBC, and through them with Royal Mail, the most appropriate solution to be presented to residents.

Footway Blockage A262. The blocking of the footway running alongside the Chequers car park with A-frame notice boards was noted. Clerk will be asked to follow up with Chequers.

Salt/Grit bins Noted that the promised salt/grit bin at junction Chicks Lane/Rogers Rough, Kilndown has been installed.

KHS Parish Seminar 27th October. Cllr Ward will give verbal update to Council.

Update on PROW Matters
Footpath maintenance issues. The Footpaths items needing attention continues to be monitored. Cllr Boniface will chase the installation of the wooden kissing gates, agreed at a meeting on 31st August Bryan.Nowowiecki (KCC Capital Projects Officer Countryside Access Service), on the Goudhurst element of the High Weald Landscape Trail, (WC26A).

PROW Maps. Unfortunately due to the wrong file being sent to printers by KCC the maps have been delayed. It is understood that the correct file has now been sent and that the maps will be available shortly. Cllr Boniface is investigating the possibility of using Ordinance Survey standard paper for future print runs.

Hop Pickers Line. Notes of the meeting held on 21st October 2010 are attached.
2 DVDs Title 'The Hawkhurst and Westerham Branch Lines' (£13.62 excl VAT) - ITV programme 'Along These Lines' (£16.95 excl VAT) are now available to purchase. They would help us in support of the Hop Pickers Line project as they will aid us in communicating the heritage importance of the project to relevant members of the public. GPC is asked to agree to purchase these DVDs at a cost of £30.57.

Cllr John Ward
29/10/10

HIGHWAYS AND FOOTPATHS COMMITTEE
Minutes of a Meeting held in The Jessel Room on Tuesday, 31st August 2010

Present: Cllrs Ward (Chairman), Boniface, Crookall, Mrs Glendinning and Kirkby

Update on Highways Matters.
Outstanding queries with KHS. The attached output from meeting with KHS 9th July which discussed GPC’s ‘Main outstanding issues with KHS’ was reviewed and the following discussed in detail:-

Speed Limit Review (Demonstration Area). Nick Chard (KCC Cabinet Member for Environment, Highways & Waste) wrote on 19th August to advise that “some specific targeted saving have been set by Government already, this included Road Safety Capital and Resource grants. This recent withdrawal has regrettably led to the suspension of the speed limit review project.” Therefore other than the ‘Demonstration Area’ no further changes will be implemented. Any changes identified will be the basis to respond to any request for speed limit changes.
The committee welcomed the formal Notice of Intention, by KCC, to change the speed limits on the B2079 which was published in the Kent and Sussex Courier on 27 August 2010. This would mean that the 40 mph zone southbound would begin in the area of Harpers Farm and the 30mph zone south of the Tennis club. Also Gore Lane becomes 40mph. Consultation closes on 20 September 2010.
Cllr Ward reported that he had been informally advised that the 30 mph repeater sign on the Plain would be removed.

Gateways. Cllr Ward met with Steven Noad (KHS) on 24th August to discuss potential sites on the A262 for the Gateways which Steven Noad had identified. He reiterated that the planned locations were no longer acceptable because wooden gateways were now considered a danger to traffic where they were close to the carriageway. He proposed the grass triangle at the Lurkins Rise junction on Clayhill, although he had to confirm ownership, and on the triangle at Tattlebury Corner. The committee thought that the Lurkins Rise location was acceptable but that Tattlebury Corner was inappropriate as it was too near the village centre. Other locations that were then considered were the wall of the Chequers pub on the A262 and at Maypole Lane and Swan Lane on the B2079. GPC are asked to agree to the principle of siting the Wooden Gateways at suitable locations on the A262 and B2079 rather than at the 30 mph points. Alternative locations would then be fully investigated and brought to GPC for approval.

B2079 Bedgebury Road. The committee was disappointed that he long promised Jacobs report on B2079 (Bedgebury Road and Lady Oak Lane) had still not been published. Cllr Ward will chase KHS.

Footways. Cllr Ward will chase KHS for the long promised costing for a ‘hoggin’ path along the south side of A262 Station Road between Ranters Lane and Blue Coat Lane.

Traffic calming survey in High St, West Road and Back Lane, Goudhurst. Cllr Ward will chase KHS for an update.

Destroyed finger post at Junction of B2084 Chequers Road and Ladham Road. Steven Noad advised 3rd August that the order for the damaged finger post has now been placed by the Signs & Lines team.

Request by residents of Swan Lane for the grass triangle at the junction of B2079 North Road and Swan Lane to be ‘protected. ’ Steven Noad has established that KHS part own the triangle and local residents have been advised regarding their intention to protect this area.

KHS Log. It was noted that in chasing a recent issue KHS advised 27th August “This work is in the current jet patching programme. I have the gang for one more week so fingers cross they will complete Chicks Lane towards the end of next week. If not we will have to assess all those roads not completed from this current programme and decide how we can complete”.

Road Names. No update - closure date for Ranters/Riseden Lane survey was 27th August.

A228 Colts Hill – As reported at the August GPC the proposal is for interactive signs at the junction.

Hedges. The committee was pleased to note that a problem with overgrown hedges along Cranbrook Road had been resolved by the neighbours involved discussing the problem. Cllr Crookall said he would talk to the landowner regarding the Health and Safety problem of the pond at the junction of A262 Cranbrook Road/Tattlebury Lane. GPC are asked to agree to write to the owner of one house in Beaman Close whose hedge on the Cranbrook Road side the hedge is encroaching considerably onto the footway but more importantly obscures the sight line for cars leaving the school from Beaman Close.

Request for signing on A21 for Bedgebury Pinetum. The committee supported a Kilndown resident, in Rogers Rough who has advised that a lot of traffic going to the Pinetum (lorries and cars with bicycles on top) goes via Chicks Lane/Rogers Rough because the post code for the Pinetum directs vehicles to the Forestry Commission offices, not the main car park. They ask whether it would be possible to have a sign on the A21 by the Kilndown Road turning saying 'next left for Bedgebury Pinetum'. GPC is asked to agree that appropriate signage should requested from the Highways Authority.

Jumbo bag of salt/grit. KHS Liaison have advised that they may be able to supply a jumbo bag of salt/grit in the event of a snow emergency and ask if we can let them know a suitable location within the parish. GPC are asked to confirm the decision taken in Minute 403/09 of Jan 2010 when it was agreed we did not have resources to do this.

Update on PROW Matters
Footpath maintenance issues. The Footpaths items needing attention continues to be monitored.

PROW WC26A. At a meeting on 31st August Bryan.Nowowiecki (KCC Capital Projects Officer Countryside Access Service) agreed to install only wooden kissing gates, on the Goudhurst element of the High Weald Landscape Trail.

PROW WC13 Gore Lane Goudhurst. The committee noted the attempt by the land owner to re-route the footpath without making a formal application. Complaints have been received from several sources. GPC is asked to agree to lodge an objection with KHS to any move to the line of this footpath without formal application.

Maps. Cllr Boniface advised that the final version had been agreed. He intends to include a plastic wallet in the final price of £1.50 per map. Maps should be available for purchase before the end of September 2010.

Cllr John Ward
04 Sep10

Minutes of a Meeting held in The Jessel Room on Tuesday 29 June 2010 at 7.30 p.m.

Present: Cllrs Ward (Chairman), Boniface, Mrs. Glendinning, Kirkby,
Apologies: Cllr Crookall

Update on Highways Matters.
Outstanding queries with KHS. In the absence of either any updates or satisfactory updates the committee agreed that that our outstanding queries will be raised at the meeting with KHS - Steven Noad (Transportation Engineer), Loise Codman and Sue Bickerstaff (Community Liaison Officer). See attached list: ‘Main outstanding issues with KHS’.

30 mph repeater sign on The Plain, Goudhurst. Cllrs Kirkby & Ward measured the distance between the 30mph sign in West Road opposite hairdressers and the 30 mph sign on the Plain as 75 m. At 225m there is a redundant sign post and 250m is at the Church entrance. The Department of Transport’s Traffic Signs Manual suggests if there are no street lights, a maximum of 400m between repeater signs on the same side of the carriageway, 250m between signs on alternate sides of the carriageway. This is however only guidance but the issue will be raised at the meeting with KHS.

Road Names. No update. Will ask Lene Beynon (TWBC) at meeting on 7th July.

A228 Colts Hill - Proposed road closure at Crittenden Road/Alders Road staggered junction; next meeting 31st July.

Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE). Report from Cllr Crookall of meeting 18th June was noted.

KHS/Parish Mtg 02 June 2010 The output from the meeting was reviewed (already circulated by email). Subsequent to the meeting the attached email 1st July was received from John Burr (Director KHS).

Goudhurst & Kilndown School Walking Bus. We understand that Goudhurst & Kilndown CE Primary School is to trial a walking bus route and we look forward to seeing the results.

Update on PROW Matters
Footpath maintenance issues. Cllr David Boniface and the Clerk have been carrying out an in depth review of Footpaths items needing attention. It contains 86 items and the plan is to reduce the outstanding ones considerably in a short time using Peter Watkins and ensuring KCC meet their responsibility, especially for their priority route - the High Weald Landscape Trail, and that Landowners also fulfill their responsibilities.

Maps. Having worked through several drafts with Neil Barnes of KCC the latest version is based on the 1:25,000 OS map but scaled up by a factor of 1.22. The footpaths are shown as solid green, the bridleways as solid blue. The background is faded as in the online ‘Explore Kent’ maps to give greater prominence to the footpaths. Advice from the printer, Francis Rook of Cranbrook, is that we should print on standard A3 size as this is much cheaper. It is likely to be two sided, showing North and South Goudhurst on front and back. The final stage is to re-position footpath codes and to add in special routes such as the Millennium Walk, NT permissory paths and easy walks around Goudhurst. Highways & Footpaths Committee seeks approval of expenditure of up to £300.00 for an initial print run (there is £1,000.00 in the expenditure budget for this item).

Dymo Footpath Label Printer is now working and has been used successfully to label a number of paths.

Hop Pickers’ Line Meeting on 29 June. David Smith of KCC reported progress. There had been a delay in finalising the report of the consultant engineers (Jacobs) due to extended negotiations with Network Rail and Sustrans. However, the programme is now back on course. The pre-application form for grant funding would be submitted to the Heritage Lottery Fund in mid July 10. Committee members had contributed to the application by development of ideas linking together:

the heritage aspects of the growing, picking and processing of hops together with associated social and economic aspects;
historical hop infrastructure such as oast houses, hop fields, coppice woods;
The role of hop-picking in the life of the London poor;
rural railway heritage;
the line as a car-free route opening up the above heritage with wayside plaques etc;
an access route to view Kent as the Garden of England;

If the full application is successful, work would start on the Hawkhurst to Cranbrook section in April 2011. On 12th June 2011, the anniversary of the last train, there would be an event to celebrate the re-designation of the line as a walk and cycle route.

Cllr John Ward
02 July 10

Minutes of a Meeting held on 27 April 2010 at the Jessel Room
Present: Cllrs Ward (Chairman), Boniface, Mrs Chudley, Kirkby and Rolington Declarations of Interest: There were none.

Highways & Footpaths Matters:
Outstanding queries with KHS. The committee were not satisfied with the response, contained in the letter of 8th April from Director Kent Highways services, to our letter of 9th March to County Cllr Alex King. The committee resolved to make a detailed response, particularly in relation to the number and siting of the repeater signs. It was also understood that other local parishes were similarly concerned about the new signage and the possibility of a joint submission to KHS will be investigated.
Road Names. Whilst there has been further communication with David Thompson (TWBC Land & Property Gazetteer Manager) but there is still no clarification, from a Street Naming & Numbering legal specialist, that the Council required 100% agreement on the address changes.

Rationalized Finger Post Road Direction Signs at The Plain. KHS, Dominic Proud, has advised that the tourism signs have now been delivered and he is now awaiting the delivery of the wooden finger post so that it can be installed at the same time. He thinks that the work will be carried out over the next 3 weeks once we have received the fingerpost sign.

Request for a Footway on A262 (Cranbrook Road) east of the Chequers junction to houses in the Greentrees Farm & Lime Trees Oast area. The request will be passed to KHS.

Health and Safety problem of the pond at the junction of Tattlebury Lane/School Lane and the A262. This issue was raised at the Annual Parish meeting. There are two concerns; the pond overflows and debris flows onto the road surface and the fence has fallen down so there is a danger to pedestrians. The Clerk wrote to the landowner about this on 26th January but there has been no reply. GPC is asked to agree that a further letter is sent to the landowner and then if the remedial work is not done then we should approach KHS with a view to enforcement.

Update on PROW Matters:
Footpath maintenance issues. There are currently a number of Footpath maintenance issues which Cllr Boniface will be raising with Pete Watkins.

Maps. Thecommittee considered the 3 versions of OS maps with Footpath Overlay provided by KHS and Cllr Boniface will finalise with KHS.

Labelling Machine to enable PROW numbering. The Dymo Rhino 5200 machine has been delivered. 19mm yellow vinyl tape is awaited.

Cllr John Ward
30/4/10

The Ranters Lane/Riseden Lane Issue

Some of you may have received a letter in November last year asking for your opinion about the naming of Ranters Lane.

David Thompson is the Land and Property Gazetteer Manager at Tunbridge Wells Borough Council. 01892 526121 or david.thompson@tunbridgewells.gov.uk

The FiReControl project is now being introduced nationally and will replace the current 46 standalone fire response control rooms in England with 9 nationally networked Regional Control Centres (RCCs). Implementation of the project is due to begin in 2011. David has been tasked with clarifying street and road names where there is a potential for confusion.

The FiReControl project will rely on the address data in the Council's Local Land & Property Gazetteer (LLPG) so it is paramount that the data stored in this is accurate and does not include duplicate data for one and the same street. In addition a loss of local knowledge due to the regionalisation of the control centres will require the LLPG to be extremely accurate and you can imagine the issues that will arise if we have Riseden Lane and Ranters Lane in the LLPG.

David is still awaiting response from the Royal Mail and a Street Naming and Numbering (SNN) legal specialist regarding the naming of Ranters Lane and Riseden Lane.

He has also been in contact with Kent Fire Service regarding the issue. Their view is that Ranters Lane is the street name and that Riseden is simply a locality/area which is accessed from Ranters Lane. Kent Fire Service agreed that the 'dual' street name causes confusion even with local knowledge.

The matter is still open for discussion and if you have any views on this, please would you send them to David Thompson at Tunbridge Wells Borough Council.

Under the Public Health Act 1925 the Borough Council must give 1 months notice of the 'renaming' of the street (in this case adding the street name to the address). The residents then have 21 days to appeal to the Local Magistrates.

David emphasises that none of this changes the Ward boundary between Goudhurst and Kilndown within the civil Parish of Goudhurst. That will remain just to the south of The Glen, Ranters Lane.

Kilndown Annual Parish Meeting
21 April 2010 The Ranters Lane/Riseden Lane Issue

Minutes of a meeting of the Highways and Footpaths Committee held 23 February 2010

Present: Cllrs Ward (Chairman), Boniface, Mrs. Chudley, Kirkby, Rolington

Apologies: None

Update on Highways Matters.
KHS Fault Log. The number of outstanding issues the Kent Highways On-Line log currently stands at 10. This must, however, be treated with some caution as an issue originally raised in Mar 2009 and again in Dec 2009 has been marked as cleared on both occasions despite never having been completed. Raised with KHS Liaison Officer no explanation has been received and to date the work has not been completed. Copies of the ‘Enquiry Trace Forms’ forwarded by KHS Liaison show that the original issue was closed when it was passed to the contractor and the latest one after the ‘engineer had been chased for an order’. The problem of how and when issues are closed will be reviewed with KHS.

Gateways and newly erected speed limit signs- Roads in Goudhurst & The Plain. (post meeting note). Kent Highway Services had confirmed that the poles were for new speed limit signs associated with the Rural Speed Limits Review which we were involved with in 2008. There has been no consultation about placement of the speed limit signs, particularly on The Plain which is owned by the Parish, and we now have locations where 40mph and 30 mph signs have been erected within feet of each other. The replacement Gateways are particularly absurd as we have been liaising with KHS, Michael Sammut, about the installation of the wooden ones which were completed in Jan 2010 to the dimensions agreed with KHS. As soon as the poles were seen in front of the old gateways Cllr Ward contacted KHS and in the absence of Michael Sammut (on holiday) was given an assurance that any changes to the Gateways would be suspended. GPC is asked to agree that following a comprehensive review of the speed limit signs, to establish all anomalies, representation should be made to KHS, at a senior level, in order to achieve a rationalization and the erection of the wooden Gateways.
Road Names. David Thompson (TWBC Land & Property Gazetteer Manager) has advised he is waiting for clarification from a Street Naming & Numbering legal specialist that the Council required 100% agreement on the address changes. Whatever the outcome of this it likely that we will need to consult again with the Riseden/Smiths Lane residents to achieve a solution.

B2079 Bedgebury Road Kent Highways/Jacobs Safety Review. The Joint Transportation Board Minutes 18 January referred to work to be carried out in March 2010. KHS were contacted, as a matter of urgency, and it was stressed that it is important that ourselves and local residents are consulted before any works are undertaken.

Rationalized Finger Post Road Direction Signs at The Plain. Following a meeting between Cllr Ward and the Clerk with Dominic Proud of KHS we await a design and confirmation on the siting of the ‘brown signs’.

Problems of push chair access in High Street. A local resident recounted her problems in negotiating the High Street with her buggy. The Clerk, in a comprehensive reply, advised her that this issue had already been addressed by a request from GPC for a review of the speed limits and traffic calming in Goudhurst High St, West Road and Back Lane, Goudhurst. The committee also reviewed how someone with a buggy could negotiate High Street and concluded that additionally a safe ‘buggy friendly’ route could be established. As this would involve an alteration to the current parking spaces it was felt that the status of the parking spaces on the High Street outside The Star & Eagle should be clarified. GPC is asked to consider approaching KHS to sign the area outside of the Star & Eagle, High Street as a parking area.

Request for Speed check in North Road. A resident has asked for a police speed check in North Road. He comments ‘we were told at a meeting in the past that they did not install these {speed indicator signs} on B Roads’ but refers to the installation of same in Horsmonden. This request has been passed to the Police. It was noted that the Horsmonden signs are solar powered.

Colliers Green Road Works start 15th February. It was noted that the 1st week of the road works had had no adverse effect on Curtisden Green and that the initiative of the residents, in initiating a ‘walking bus’ had mitigated the effects in the 2nd week.

Grit/Salt Bins. KHS have advised that all salt/grit bins were re-filled on/around 18th Jan and then re-filled when they received reports that they were empty.

Update on PROW Matters
Footpath maintenance issues. There are currently no known outstanding Footpath maintenance issues.

Maps. Having signed a Contractor Licence with KHS, for the use of OS maps with Footpath Overlay, we will shortly be able to produce local maps.

Walking Route to Goudhurst/Scotney. Cllr Boniface has proposed a meeting with Scotney to discuss the route. Note we still await an update from KHS about the footway along the A262 from Ranters Lane to Bluecoats Lane.

Replacement DR Strimmer. GPC is asked to agree to pay the the invoice from Medway Mowers for £350.00 (+ VAT ). Noted that the RRP is c£600.00. Noted that KHS have agreed to contribute 50% of the cost.

Cllr John Ward
26/2/10

Report to Goudhurst Parish Council 8th February 2010

Footpaths - Replacement DR Strimmer. Pete Watkins has advised that the DR strimmer/mower he uses for PROW cutting back has reached the end of its useful life. It was purchased in 2001 at a cost of £587 and we had a 50% grant from KCC PROW. He has advised that if we can buy before March the cost of a replacement is £350 + VAT. GPC is asked to approve expenditure of a maximum of £350.00 and I will ask KCC PROW to see if they will make a contribution. Also GPC to approve the write off for scrap the old 2001 DR strimmer.

Crittenden Road - Proposed road closure at junction of A228 Colts Hill/Crittenden Road/Alders Road staggered junction. A Working Group proposed that a temporary closure of Crittenden Road at this junction be carried out for a period of one year with constant monitoring of the traffic effects to all adjacent routes, with a view to installing a permanent closure should the trial prove successful. Following a public consultation held on 23rd January at Capel, attended by Cllrs Crookall and Ward, real concerns were expressed over the closure of Crittenden Road. The closure of the road was viewed as unacceptable by a great majority of the 300 people who attended. Consequently the sponsors, Greg Clark, Alex King and David Hall (KCC Head of Transport and Development) have asked the working group to explore alternative ways of dealing with the Crittenden Road issue. The next meeting of the Colts Hill Working Group is Friday 12th March and Goudhurst PC have been invited to attend.

PROW WC36A Bray’s Alley. We have a quote of £200.00 to reduce an apple tree overhanging this PROW where it drops seasonal fruit to the inconvenience of walkers. GPC to approve this expenditure.

Hop Pickers’ Line Project. The Clerk has obtained from the Land Registry copies of 12 title deeds and plans of all the sections of this disused railway line through Goudhurst parish at a cost of £202.00. GPC to approve reimbursement of this expenditure.

Cllr John Ward (Chairman Highways & Footpaths Committee)
29/01/10

Clerk to the Parish Council
Anthony Farnfield MBE
clerk@goudhurst.co.uk