Amendment to recommendation two (2) published 27.02.2025

The Head of Environment and Leisure introduced the report as set out in the agenda papers. Whilst the proposals were unlikely to resolve all of the issues, it was a way of trialing a different approach and could be reviewed continuely.

Parish Councillor Julian Saunders proposed recommendation one and this was seconded by Councillor Karen Watson.

Parish Councillor Julian Saunders proposed the following amendment to recommendation two: “Members are asked to agree not to proceed with the implementation of the current Faversham Town Centre scheme for the moment and to take the opportunity to review future options when resources allow.” This was seconded by Councillor Karen Watson.

A visiting Ward Member was invited to speak and congratulated officers on their hard work on the proposals. The Ward Member was supportive of the amendments and asked officers if it was possible to include double yellow lines at Court Street, Faversham in the formal consultation as market traders were now having issues with getting access to the market square due to parking issues along Court Street.

In response, the Head of Environment and Leisure said that Court Street was entirely a cobbled street which meant it was difficult to paint double yellow lines, it was therefore not possible for Court Street to be included within the consultation.

The Chair invited Members to make comments, which included:

·           Painting double yellow lines directly onto the block paving was a better option than painting on the cobbled stones;

·           the Faversham Town Centre demographic was changing and there was a need for more street space in the Town Centre;

·           why were officers not exploring the option of designating the area as a non-parking zone in a conservation area? As it could be applied without the need for double yellow lines;

·           parking was a premium in Faversham and did not want residents parking in busy public places that would prevent the market trade; and

·           did not want to deter new businesses from coming to Faversham Town Centre.

The Seafront & Engineering Manager responded and said that the Traffic Management Act had allowed a change to parking zones in conservation areas. However, there were complications around distinguishing the areas that allowed temporary parking, against those areas that allowed no parking at all. He stated that there would be a need for large signage and additional costs to properly advertise which areas residents could park in and he considered double yellow lines were the most suitable way to enforce parking in the Town Centre. In addition, there was an uncertainty about how disabled badge holders would be impacted by this approach.

The Head of Environment and Leisure reminded Members that the Swale Joint Transportation Board was making a recommendation to the Policy and Resources Committee and it was the Policy and Resources Committee that would make the final decision as to how any future project on pedestrianisation would be properly funded.

Recommended:

(1)   That the report be noted.

(2)   That officers proceeded with the drafting of a Traffic Regulation Order to reinstate waiting restrictions in the vicinity of the Guild Hall in Faversham Town Centre.

(3)   That the implementation of the current Faversham Town Centre scheme not be proceeded with at the moment and future options be reviewed when resources allowed.