Maidstone Borough Council

Planning, Transport and Development

 Overview & Scrutiny Committee

Tuesday 22 July 2014

Review – Transport in Maidstone Borough – Alternatives to using a car

Cycling and Walking

Report of: Tessa Mallett, Overview and Scrutiny Officer

1. Introduction

1.1 At their meeting of 9 June 2014 the Planning, Transport and Development Overview and Scrutiny Committee agreed to set up a working group to look at ways of reducing congestion in Maidstone town.

1.2 The working group met on 17 June 2014 to scope their review and presented a scoping document at the meeting of 24 June 2014 (attached as Appendix A).

1.3 The Committee agreed to split the review into three parts:

· Cycling and walking;

· Rail services;

· Bus services.

1.4 The Committee agreed to use the meeting of 22 July 2014 to invite witnesses to provide evidence for part one of the review – Cycling and Walking.

2.     Recommendation

2.1    That Members interview:

· James Gower – cycling enthusiast who sent a suggestion via Twitter for the Committee to review congestion in the town

· Tay Arnold – Cycling Transport Planner, Kent Highways, Kent County Council

· Colin Finch - Senior Public Rights of Way Officer, Kent County Council

· Bartholomew Wren - Economic Development Officer Regeneration and Transport, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council

· Sarah Shearsmith – Community Development Team Leader, Maidstone Borough Council  - Agenda item 9

· Tim Hapgood - Transport Consultant, Spatial Policy Team, Maidstone Borough Council – Agenda item 10

Details of the questions sent to each of the above witnesses to help them prepare is attached as Appendix B.

3.      Reasons for Recommendation

3.1    The Committee agreed to review transport in Maidstone with a view to looking at ways of easing congestion in the town.

3.2    The witnesses invited are able to provide evidence to the Committee to help them fulfil the agreed objectives for part one of this review:

Part One - Cycling and Walking:

· Identify cycling and walking groups in the Borough;

· Establish what work is/has already been done regarding the promotion of cycling and walking;

· Identify and make recommendations on how Maidstone Borough Council can work to increase the use of cycling and walking in the Borough to help ease congestion.

4.      Impact on Corporate Objectives

4.1    The Committee will consider reports that deliver against the following Council priority:

· For Maidstone to have a growing economy – a transport network that supports the local economy;

· For Maidstone to be a decent place to live – continues to be a clear and attractive environment for people who live in and visit the Borough.

4.2    The Strategic Plan sets the Council’s key objectives for the medium term and has a range of objectives which support the delivery of the Council’s priorities.  Actions to deliver these key objectives may therefore include work that the Committee will consider over the next year.