Petitions

12

Make Cozenton Park Skatepark, Rainham bigger

19 September 2025

We appreciate the passion and engagement shown by the community, particularly on behalf of our young residents, in advocating for improved recreational spaces.

The skatepark is a well-used and valued facility, and we're pleased to see it playing such a positive role in promoting active lifestyles and social interaction.

We're pleased to be able to inform you that through identified contributions from local developers it will be able to investigate an extension to the current skatepark and will shortly be appointing a skatepark specialist to consult, and design plans.

We remain committed to supporting youth activities and will continue to explore other opportunities to enhance recreational provision across Medway. 

We encourage users of the skatepark to continue sharing feedback, which helps us shape future plans and ensure facilities remain safe, inclusive, and enjoyable.

No review requested

11

Objection to Planning application MC/26/1557, Paget St, Gillingham

17 September 2025

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

Not applicable

10

Introduce a 20mph zone in Mill Road, Strood

15 September 2025

We're committed to improving safety across our road network and welcomes feedback from residents. We have reviewed the personal injury collision data for Mill Road. Over the past three years, one personal injury collision has been recorded on Mill Road. While any incident is regrettable, this record does not currently place Mill Road among the higher priority locations for safety intervention.

We acknowledge, however, that collision data alone does not always reflect the full picture of community concern. The presence of vulnerable road users, such as schoolchildren and other vulnerable users, is an important consideration. After review, we propose erecting suitable warning signing and SLOW road markings in suitable positions to highlight the presence of the school and its pupils within Mill Road. We would seek to go ahead erect signing and place road markings in due course.

We're currently developing a Road Safety Plan which we anticipate will include a longer-term speed management strategy throughout Medway. 

We're currently investigating a request for reduced speed restrictions over a larger neighbouring area within Strood.  Whilst it is too early to comment on any potential outcomes, such investigations will help inform the outlook for any speed management measures within the local area.

No review requested

9

Installation of Speed Bumps on Goddington Road, Strood

2 September 2025

We take road safety very seriously and we investigate any instances where concerns regarding road safety are brought to our attention. We regularly review personal injury collision data provided by Kent Police. To make the best use of the limited funding available, we must, however, prioritise those locations with poorer safety records first.

After an initial review of the collision history at Goddington Road, we note that this location has not recorded any personal injury collisions over the past three years. this means that it is unlikely to receive a high priority for road safety alterations, such as traffic calming measures at this time.

We recognise the important role that effective speed management has in creating a road environment that is fit for purpose and supports all road users traveling safely, particularly within urban areas. The Council are currently developing a Road Safety Plan which we anticipate will include a longer-term speed management strategy throughout Medway. 

We're currently investigating a request for reduced speed restrictions over a larger neighbouring area within Strood.  Whilst it is too early to comment on any potential outcomes, such investigations will help inform the outlook for any speed management measures within the local area.

No review requested.

8

Lower Stoke Car Park, Lower Stoke

17 July 2025

We're in an extremely difficult financial position and has undertaken a property review to identify surplus non-operational property assets, which can be disposed of to reduce debt, and contribute to Medway’s longer- term financial sustainability.

Our cabinet on 11 March 2025 agreed that the Lower Stoke car park was declared surplus and delegated authority to the Director of Place, in consultation with the Corporate Landlord Board (CLB), to dispose of the property, to obtain the best consideration reasonably obtainable thereby complying with its obligations under s123 of the Local Government Act 1972.

We have made it clear that it needs to sell the property for its market value, but that the Parish Council will be given the first opportunity to acquire the property before Medway Council even considers any wider marketing of the property. It was also agreed that if the Parish Council were to acquire the property, that the payments could be phased over a reasonable period, so that the Parish Council could raise the required funding.

We intend to have the property valued by the Council’s agent and valuer, before they open negotiations with the Parish Council.

In the meantime, as the current lease of the car park expires in September, the council has written to the parish council to set out the terms on which it is prepared to offer a new lease. The council is awaiting a response, so a new lease can be in place September so the car park can continue to be used.

It's hoped that a price and payment plan which is acceptable to both parties can be agreed, which will then allow the Parish Council to acquire the property, thus enabling the Parish Council to safeguard the car park in perpetuity, whilst generating a capital receipt for Medway Council, which will help to make the Council more financially sustainable.

No review requested

7

Road Safety Stoke Road, the Ratcliffe Highway, and Avery Way, Allhallows

17 July 2025

We receive a significant number of requests for changes to the highway. The Transport Engineering Manager will consider the request and this may include investigations into the area in question, an examination of accident data, site visits, amongst other things. An investigation process can take some time.

The Transport and Parking Team will look into this in more detail and will contact the lead petitioner in due course.

No review requested at this stage

6

Road safety - Signage, Wayfield Road, Chatham

17 July 2025

We work to promote and improve road safety wherever possible, and is committed to reducing and preventing casualties on our roads where it can.

We have considered the request for an additional crossing from a road safety perspective, but given its good pedestrian safety record, it would be difficult to give Wayfield Road, near Snodhurst House, a high priority for a new pedestrian crossing. The location itself also poses some problems. The double bend near Snodhurst House, and the on-street parking here, would make the safe siting of a crossing facility very difficult.

The presence of two disabled parking bays and a bus stop clearway in this location presents significant constraints that would prohibit the installation of an uncontrolled crossing facility on Wayfield Road near the Cherbourg Crescent bus stop.

We have reviewed the signage in Wayfield Road, and there are existing signs warning of elderly pedestrians, together with worded ‘SLOW’ road markings, on each approach to Snodhurst House. However, these signs are markings are badly faded, so arrangements will be made for these to be replaced at the earliest opportunity.

A review was requested by the lead petitioner, at the Regeneration, Culture and Community Overview and Scrutiny on 9 October 2025 the Committee noted the response to the petition.

The Committee agreed to add Wayfield Road to the highways work programme for 2026 to 2027 and supported options for improving road safety.

5

Objection to Planning Application MC/25/1112 Hawbeck Road, Rainham

26 June 2025

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

Not applicable.

4

Objection to Planning Application MC/24/2495 Go Outdoors

15 May 2025

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

Not applicable.

3

Objection to the removal of the protective wall separating the green in front of Lordswood and Slade Close, Chatham, from the busy main road.

24 April 2025

The properties situated behind the wall are uniquely positioned; separated from the adjacent highway and benefitting from an enclosed open space which has been utilised by the properties surrounding it. We acknowledge that children and residents have enjoyed using the open greenspace area as a safety barrier and acknowledge concerns about toys such as footballs rolling onto the road; a challenge faced by many parents living adjacent to roads who have children outside their properties.

We have listened to those concerns and to mitigate this, will explore installing a mesh at the base of the proposed replacement system to prevent items from entering the road.

We have carried out a full safety assessment along with a Local Roads Risk assessment. The safety assessment of the wall has deemed it beyond economic repair and the Local Roads Risk Assessment classifies the area as a low priority; in accordance with the Design and Maintenance for Local Authority Roads – Provision of Road Restraint Systems on Local Authority Roads. The wall does not meet the specification to be classed as a Vehicle Restraint System (VRS), which means it is incapable of preventing a vehicle passing through it in the event of an incident. This is evidenced by the 2 rebuilt sections where cars have crashed through the wall.

With VRS, any vehicle that would strike it will not be able to pass through or send any debris into passing pedestrians or anyone using the greenspace area fronting the properties behind the wall.

Our priority is to ensure the safety of the community. Removing the wall and installing a VRS system will provide better protection for everyone, and the council remains committed to maintaining community safety and ensuring that the greenspace remains a safe and enjoyable area for all residents.

A review was requested by the lead petitioner at the Regeneration, Culture and Community Overview and Scrutiny on 9 October 2025 the Committee noted the response to the petition.

The Committee also requested officers to investigate the viability of further options including fencing and planting and to work in conjunction with MHS and wider partners.

2

The council to introduce a 20mph zone in the area of Central Strood

24 April 2025

We work to promote and improve road safety wherever possible, and we are committed to reducing and preventing casualties on our roads. It is of course recognised that speed limits form an important part of the highway and how it is used. It is also important that speed limits should be evidence led and take into account the relevant local factors.

In order to appropriately consider the request, the council’s Transport Service will undertake a review of the speed limit throughout the area requested. This will take into account a number of factors, including, the existing traffic flows, speeds, local safety record, and current speed limit policy.

This piece of work will be added to the relevant Transport project programme for 2025 to 2026.

No request for review received.

1

Objection to planning application MC/25/0753 demolition works at the former St John Fisher School Site, Maidstone Road, Chatham

22 April 2025

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

Not applicable.