Agenda item

This report provides an update on the A2 High Street de-cluttering pilot project in Strood.

Discussion:

The Assistant Director – Front Line Services reminded the Committee that at its meeting on 23 June 2013, this Committee had supported the suggestion of the De-cluttering Streets in Medway Task Group that Strood High Street be used as a pilot project. Cabinet had subsequently agreed this recommendation at its meeting on 9 July 2013.

The Committee was further reminded that at the Task Group meeting on 23 May 2013 it had been recommended that engineers determine if the existing pedestrian pinch point outside 107 High Street (Rainham Meats) could be eliminated, thereby allowing the possible removal of the pedestrian guardrailing at this location.

The Committee received a detailed report setting out the current position in respect of de-cluttering and other works in Strood High Street along with A3 coloured drawings outlining the proposals.

It was recognised that the Pilot Project had expanded to incorporate other Local Transport Plan interventions for the High Street, including accessibility and modal shift and whilst there were cost savings associated with any combined scheme, these aspects would be separately funded as follows:

·        Rainham Meats footway widening at £23,138

·        St Nicholas’ Church footway widening at £29,378.36

·        NatWest Bank near Station Road junction footway widening at £24,667.50

·        Puffin crossing conversion (outside Iceland) at £30,000

·        Zebra crossing on Gun Lane at £30,000

It was stressed that the proposed works would be subject to a consultation exercise involving:

• Fronting properties
• Strood Town Centre Manager and Town Centre Forum
• Guide Dogs for the Blind
• Kent Association for the Blind
• Medway Learning Disability Partnership
• Local members and the Portfolio Holder
• Kent Police and statutory undertakers

The Committee discussed the report and the following issues were highlighted:

• The replacement of floor standing litterbins with bins attached to lampposts would not result in a reduction in litterbin capacity overall.
• Whilst it was proposed to remove 2.5 metres of guardrail near Rainham Meats, 6.7 metres of guardrail would be left in place.
• It was suggested that a survey be undertaken regarding the possible retention of the guardrail at the pelican crossing outside St Nicholas’ Church.
• In the light of the footfall of school children who could potentially be crossing the High Street, the Assistant Director Front Line Services agreed to investigate the possible provision of a pedestrian crossing near Wilkinsons.
• Officers be requested to arrange a pre-consultation meeting with the Ward Councillors for Strood North, Strood South and Strood Rural Wards, and Councillor Hubbard requested that he and Councillor Igwe also have the opportunity of a 1:1 with officers to discuss the proposals;
• Consultation on the proposals for Strood High Street also include other interested parties including St Nicholas’ School, All Faiths Primary School and Gordon Infant and Junior School and St Nicholas’ Church;
• Officers were requested to investigate the regularity of the emptying of the litterbin near to Strood Station as it often overflowed at weekends.

The Assistant Director  - Front Line Task Force confirmed that following the selection of Strood High Street for the pilot de-cluttering project, the scope of the project had widened to involve regeneration works for the High Street area. He confirmed that funding for the additional works was available from within the Local Transport Plan allocation. He commented that Strood High Street was particularly unique as a Town Centre in respect of the variation of the width of the pavement areas and in some areas, the path width was very narrow.

Members commented that the widening of the remit of the Strood Pilot Project could undermine its usefulness as a pilot in respect of lessons to be learnt. The Road Safety Manager confirmed that once the Strood Project had progressed, a de-cluttering manual could be drawn up for future projects and such manual would be reported back to this Committee.

Decision: 

a)                 The Committee expressed its appreciation to officers for the work undertaken on the Strood High Street project and noted the report and the work underway to reduce the number of obstructions to pedestrian movements and improve the visual appearance of Strood Town Centre; and

b)                 Prior to undertaking a consultation on the proposed works within Strood High Street, Officers meet with Ward Councillors and Parish Councillors to discuss the proposals.