Have your say

Medway Council to revisit the safety, security and wellbeing of users in such a way as to stop motorcycles and quad bikes accessing green space in Chestnut Avenue, Chatham.

The Public Space Protection Order addressing the issue of nuisance motorbikes is progressing and will be enforceable very soon. This will permit the council and Kent Police to issue fixed penalty notice to those involved in such activities.

We have also asked our Greenspaces contractor to carry out a feasibility study of placing restrictors/barriers on the site to discourage access to vehicles and as part of our partnership programme we have asked Kent Police to undertake an increased level of engagements on this issue in this location.

Medway Council to urgently review the need for traffic calming measures along the length of the Ratcliffe Highway from Fenn Corner to the Parish boundary with Allhallows.

The council works to support safe road use and prioritises safety interventions to help reduce and prevent harm on the highway. The safety history of Ratcliffe Highway has been investigated and during the last 3 years of available police records, one injury collison has been recorded throughout this section of road.

Regrettably, there are other locations within Medway that are currently recording poorer ongoing road safety problems. The council is therefore unable to progress the requested alterations at this time. Please rest assured the safety record of this location will continue to be monitored.

19

Medway Council need to review the need for 30 MPH fixed traffic speed cameras in both directions on the Ratcliffe Highway. The blind bend makes it very difficult for vehicles to safely turn right. This is due to the bend obstructing the view of any approaching vehicles. There are heavy lorries speeding into the blind bend just before the junction. This is even more dangerous for pedestrians crossing the road there as well. The Junction is also the start of RS15.

31 August 2023

We recognise the importance of making our roads as safe as possible and works to help support everyone travelling safely.

To consider your request, our safety engineers and officers will undertake a review of this location as requested. This will include investigation of the local collision history. We continually monitor police reported personal injury collision records, so we can work to target and reduce people being harmed while travelling on Medway’s Roads.

We will add this review to our work programme for the current financial year.

18

Medway Council to make Laburnum Park more secure against the travellers encampment. It took the Council too long to get them to leave and no one could use the grounds. The gates there are obviously inadequate.

25 August 2023

There are no known reasonable ways or materials to absolutely prevent travellers breaking into any greenspace, the only practical action is to deter them from a site with physical obstructions.

We have asked NORSE to arrange the installation of new height barriers/gates at the three entrances on Knights Place and one at Laburnum Road to substantially width restrict access to deter the admittance of caravans.

17

Medway Council to put up a speed camera  along the Lower Rainham Road near the Three Mariners' car park/traffic lights or at the bottom of pump lane There are speed signs but they are ignored.

15 August 2023

The safety history of the location in question has been investigated. We can report that during the last three years, one collision of slight severity has been recorded in and around this part of the Lower Rainham Road.

Whilst Kent Police remain responsible for speed enforcement within Kent and Medway, Medway Council works in partnership with them in relation to the deployment of fixed speed cameras, with speed cameras within Kent and Medway targeted at those locations with poor safety records in terms of road casualties. This is to ensure that the focus of speed camera activity is helping to reduce and prevent road user injury, rather than issuing speeding fines.

Regrettably, there are other locations within Medway that are currently recording poorer ongoing road safety problems. Our approach is to tackle those locations in the first instance. We are therefore unable to progress the requested alterations at this time.

No review requested

16

Medway Council to remove the bottom gate at Bligh Way Park and replace it with a fixed barrier such as a fence or bollards to stop travellers from gaining access to the park.

1 August 2023

The area, like all Greenspaces remains vulnerable to unauthorised encampments with physical damage being used to gain access.

As an interim measure we have requested NORSE to explore the possibility of placing concrete blocks near the site entrance to substantially restrict access of caravans.to the site.

An approach that could be explored by the Authority in high-risk areas is naturalising sites by strategically planting more trees to create small woodland areas creating natural barriers.  This would, however, possibly require the partial change of use of large, grassed areas. Officers will raise this possibility with the relevant Portfolio Holder.

No review requested

15

Medway Council to change parking restrictions in Carpeaux Close, Chatham to residents parking only at all times.

20 July 2023

We will review the current restrictions and undertake an

informal survey to establish the views of residents.

It is anticipated that the Parking Team will be able to update the lead petitioner within the next six months.

No review requested

14

Medway Council to support a pelican crossing outside All Saints CofE Primary School to ensure the safe road crossing of children, parents and the local residents.

19 July 2023

The location in question has previously served as a School Crossing Patrol (SCP) site which continues to be the most appropriate form of crossing provision in meeting the needs of the school community.

When the site became vacant last year, officers undertook an assessment in line with the morning school drop-off and afternoon collection times. The assessment considered driver and pedestrian behaviour, including vehicle speed, and pedestrian crossing waiting times.

We were able to appoint an SCP to serve outside the school on Magpie Hall Road. Regrettably, the patrol withdrew from the position within the first week, the SCP vacancy has been re-advertised.

Our Sustainable Transport Team will continue to liaise closely with All Saints C.E. Primary School and the Parking Enforcement Team.

Officers will also approach the neighbourhood policing team to serve as an additional presence at school drop-off and collection times and to help deter inconsiderate parking behaviour within the school vicinity.

No review requested

13

Petition the council to take action immediately to secure Beechings Park from Travellers entering.

14 July 2023

We have spent over £20,000 on securing the park, including the installation of metal hoops and a height barrier to make egress more difficult.

Additionally, we have recently installed metal hoops behind wooden posts following an occasion when access to the site was achieved by the removal of such a post.

All Greenspaces remains vulnerable to unauthorised encampments with physical damage being used to gain access.

An approach that could be explored by the Authority in high-risk areas is naturalising sites by strategically planting more trees to create small woodland areas creating natural barriers.  This would, however, possibly require the partial change of use of large, grassed areas.  Officers will raise this possibility with the relevant Portfolio Holder.

No review requested

12

We the undersigned petition Medway Council to introduce double yellow at the junction of Cavendish Road and Cecil Road, Rochester.

30 May 2023

We have considered your request to introduce double yellow lines and the junction of Cavendish Road and Cecil Road and has added it to the work programme for 2023 to 2024.

No review requested

11

The Council to resurface the road on Elm Avenue and Broadwood Road, Chattenden

4 May 2023

When considering a road for resurfacing an inspection is undertaken and priority 1 roads are automatically selected for resurfacing. Elm Avenue and Broadwood Road were assessed as a Priority 2, unfortunately this means both roads would not be considered for resurfacing.

An annual inspection regime is in place and will respond to any defects that arise throughout the year and arrange repairs as necessary.

We have previously raised the issue of the leak referenced in your petition with Southern Water who are investigating the issue and are due to be on site on 31 July. The delay is due to Southern Water arranging for a road closure to undertake the works. The Council will continue to press Southern Water for a resolution to this issue.

No review requested

10

The Council to provide a zebra pedestrian crossing at the bottom of Pump Lane at the junction with Beechings Way, Rainham.

2 May 2023

We recognise the importance of making our roads as safe as possible and we appreciate this busy location requires pedestrians to take great care when crossing the road.

Safety engineers will undertake a review of the location including a survey of pedestrian and vehicle movements and an assessment of existing highway conditions, layout and infrastructure.

No review requested

9

Petition Objection to planning application MC230707 Birling Avenue, Rainham

20 April 2023

This petition relates to a planning application and is being dealt with under planning legislation.

Not applicable

8.

Petition to stop development of 3 x 3 bedroom terraced houses at land of rear of 30-38 Iden Road, Frinsbury

3 April 2023

This petition relates to a planning application and is being dealt with under planning legislation.

Not applicable

7

Parking in Baron Close, Gillingham

27 March 2023

Baron Close is a public highway and benefits residents of the close and residents of Pier Road by providing a rear access to that road and garages.

We have a duty to consider requests for off road parking by creating dropped kerbs and all costs associated with such requests are borne by the resident.

Off road parking via dropped kerb can free up space for people to use by reducing demand for on street parking. Therefore, the construction of a dropped kerb has not altered the number of available spaces.

As we cannot create more on street spaces on our roads residents without off road parking must find a space where one is available.

At the Regeneration, Culture and Environment Overview and Scrutiny meeting held on 15 June, the Committee noted the petition responses and referral request.

Following consideration of the report the Committee requested a feasibility study in relation to parking accessibility for residents on Baron Close and Pier Road, including a review of the use of the garages. This would be undertaken in consultation with ward councillors and the petitioner.

6

Resurface James Road, Cuxton

20 February 2023

When considering a road for resurfacing an inspection is undertaken and priority 1 roads are automatically selected for resurfacing. James Road was assessed as a Priority 3, unfortunately this means James Roads would not be considered for resurfacing in the foreseeable future.

An annual inspection regime is in place and will respond to any defects that arise throughout the year and arrange repairs as necessary.

No review requested

5

Medway Council to work with Post Office management to secure a new high street location for Rochester Post Office

19 January 2023

We agreed that local services like the Post Office are important to residents and has taken steps to secure a new high street location for the Post Office.

We had attempted to make contact with the Post Office. The Rochester Community Hub is a potential excellent location for a Post Office and the Council is open to discussion on how that may work. 

No review requested

4

Repair the large sunken damage to Berengrave Lane opposite the new Queens Court development, Rainham.

19 January 2023

The defect in Beregrave Lane was bought to the attention of Council in November 2022 and work was planned to take place in December. Unfortunately, the weather and other works taking place on Berengrave Lane caused a delay however works took place beginning 30 January 2023.

Should the depression be the result of works undertaken by the utility supplier we have robust procedures to recharge the costs incurred.

No review requested

3

Medway Council together with Kent Police to take urgent action to reduce speeding and traffic accident frequency on the A230 Maidstone Road/Horsted Way between The Ridgeway and the A229 Junction, Chatham.

19 January 2023

The approach is to tackle those locations with the poorest safety records first. During the most recent five years of available Police records, there had been one collision reported involving road user injury. This means there are other locations within Medway that are suffering poorer ongoing road safety problems and unfortunately, we are therefore unable to propose road alterations in this area at this time. The safety record of this location will continue to be monitored.

At The Regeneration, Culture and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Meeting on 21 March, the Committee noted the petition responses and referral request and the appropriate officer actions, as set out in the report and as highlighted during the meeting, officers undertook to review the road markings and signalling at the location.

2

Medway Council to change the process of how residential parking permits are applied for in a way to save people money in the current financial crisis

11 January 2023

In the last 18 months permit application processes have been reviewed and can now be completed online which has speeded up the process. We have considered the proposal to allow residents to print permits however this is not possible as permits are printed on specialised paper to prevent fraud.

No review requested

1

Petition in support of planning application MC/22/2510: Containers onsite at Port Werburgh, Hoo St Werburgh, for residents living on boats and residential homes.

9 January 2023

This petition relates to a planning application and is being dealt with under planning legislation.

Not applicable