Goverment Review of HWC

A bill is being put forward to sentence any cyclist convicted of dangerous cycling to a 14 year prison term.

Current DfT consultations.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/inclusive-transport-strategy

Lots of interesting stuff about inclusive transport regarding trains, buses, cars, public realm, streets and yes a bit about cycling too. Quotes:

Shared Space:

8.11 While we consider CIHT and DPTAC’s recommendations and how to take them
forward, we are requesting that local authorities pause any shared space schemes
incorporating a level surface they are considering, and which are at the design stage.
We are also temporarily suspending Local Transport Note 1/11. This pause will allow
us to carry out research and produce updated guidance.

Objectives regarding Cycling:

• Update Local Transport Note 2/08, which sets out the Department’s guidance to
local authorities on designing safe and inclusive infrastructure for cyclists, to take
account of developments in cycling infrastructure since its publication in 2008 and
the responses to the draft AAP consultation and publish a revised version by early
2019;
• By 2020, explore the feasibility of amending legislation to recognise the use of
cycles as a mobility aid71 in order to increase the number of disabled people
cycling.

Highways England are spending up to £100 million on changes to this roundabout. The following is from their website:

Traffic using the M2 junction 5/A249 Stockbury roundabout suffers delay and the junction has a poor safety record. The approach to the junction from the north and east, in particular, experiences high levels of delay and the junction is identified in the list of the top 50 national casualty locations on the trunk and motorway network.

An increase in capacity is necessary to accommodate traffic from planned new developments and the capacity problems are also inhibiting economic investment plans.

Improvement of the junction was proposed in Swale Borough Council’s Draft Transportation Strategy 2014 and in Kent County Council’s framework for regeneration in 2010 (Growth without Gridlock). It is also proposed within the South East Local Economic Partnership’s Growth Deal and Economic Plan 2014.

The scheme was included in the March 2015 Roads Investment Strategy (RIS) and in our Delivery Plan 2015.

Aims
The objectives of this scheme are to:

reduce travel time and improving journey time reliability in the hotspot areas
reconnect communities
reduce and the impacts of pollution
enable local planning authorities to manage the impact of planned growth and in doing so support the wider economy
provide safer roads with fewer delays which can adequately cater for the impacts of adverse weather
minimise impacts on the natural environment and optimising environmental opportunities and mitigation
provide opportunities for improved accessibility for all users

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There is an opportunity for cycling and walking provision, and Highways England have suggested that Maidstone Cycle Campaign propose such provision to them so they can make arrangements to sort funding for it.

Any suggestions for cycling and walking provision would be beneficial

Proposal to prohibit motor vehicles (except for access) with the clear intention of restricting through traffic.

There are works in progress on Pilgrims Way at present although these may be unconnected.

KCC scheme aimed at increasing available parking.

I am not familiar with the area but from a brief tour on Streetview I expect this will effectively formalise parking behaviour that is already occuring.

What should our response be?

Reduction of Speed limit from 40mph to 30mph

http://consultations.kent.gov.uk/consult.ti/LenhamRd_MAidstone/consultationHome

Reduction from NSL to 30mph in area shown.

http://consultations.kent.gov.uk/consult.ti/30mphmardenroad/consultationHome

Currently 40mph. New roundabout proposed (access to new housing?), essentially extending the residential 30mph zone to include some additional existing properties and the new development.