Highways Mayhem
Updated 15th August
Your Parish Council has spoken to Hinkins & Hinkins the contractor for the Bunk House, Cripps Lane. It was a constructive chat and they are as concerned as we are. The new development has to connect to a fresh water and electricity supply. Apparently that on Cripps lane or Chapel lane is not good enough and they need to connect on the High street. Unfortunately, the current plan is for the 2 utilities to work sequentially. The first utility to have their trench dug, connected and filled before the second one starts. The Parish Council have emailed Affinity water to request clarification, to let them know how much disruption this will cause the village, ask whether there is a a more efficient method and to consider the safety and wellbeing of our residents as well, particular the children walking to school on Chapel lane.
Watch this space!
Updated 13th August 2024
Your Parish Council have spent the last 10 days trying to ward off a train wreck. We recognise the implications of closing the High street for a week 9th-13th September. The village barely survived one day for the emergency electrical works. Closing of Cripps lane is not an issue. The relevant authorities are now very aware of our concerns but unwilling to consider making changes.
This is the response we received yesterday from the cabinet member for Highways and Transport – please click on the image to open
We have not given up and we will be trying to contact the contractor Hinkins & Hinkins directly – If anybody has contact details please feel empowered to plead our case. 5 days for a power connection for a new development is unproportionate and timing it as the schools reopen…..words fail us. And why not make Chapel lane one way traffic only? read their response.
Our hopes and efforts towards a new era of better communication and planning have been dashed.
Unnecessary and dangerous Road closed Signage on the Martin Mill A258 junction
The road closed sign was left precariously at our dangerous infamous junction with the A258 from Sunday July 21st to Thursday July 25th late despite the road being open with traffic light control from Monday 22nd and numerous requests from us for its removal.
Here is their response to this – just arrived – please click on the image to open
Cllr Neil Baker who has been corresponding with us is the Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport at Kent County Council and his contact details can be found here if you wish to address him directly.
Updated 8th August 2024
Your Parish Council has meet twice now with Highways to discuss the mayhem that the village had to endure last week. The Coastguard and The National Trust participated and made their points well. A combination of Upper road being shut at the beginning of the week, the High street being shut at the end of the week and the A258 being closed overnight contributed to the perfect storm.
In Summary:
- Upfront communication was lacking and partially incorrect – eg the Highways database. Roads closed hours before we were informed they would be. https://uk.one.network/
- Incorrect signage – Roads that were shut had no signage – until you reached the works and had to turn back while roads that were open had signs saying closed.
- Too many roadworks within one same week. All village exits affected! Mayhem!
- Disappointment that potholes weren’t filled whilst road was closed – particularly those in the middle of the road – opportunity lost.
Thomas William’s – Highways Manager Dover, apologised for errors in the execution of these necessary works. There were admin input errors in updating their databases and we have asked for processes to ensure there are checks in place in future. The A258 works were being undertaken by a different department. Signs were not collected after each night works. The contractor and the equipment that fill potholes are different and care funded from a different cost centre to those that were resurfacing sections of our road.
We have agreed that Highways contact the Parish Council in advance of future works to ensure better coordination.
We are aware that OpenReach have a permit to close Sea Street 16th Sept. We have requested for the works to be limited from 9.30 to 2.30 and access must be possible at all times. – traffic lights / gatemen. Given the width of Sea Street and legal safety considerations this will not be easy. We do recommend to residents try and avoid using this stretch during the works but are aware that it is the only access to and from the Bay.
We are also aware that Affinity Water require Crisps lane to be shut 19th-27th August We do not anticipate this as being a big problem and hope the affected residents are notified.
Thomas agreed to provide the National Trust with “White Cliffs open signs ” and the Parish Council asked for “No access to St Margarets” signs which could be used to warn which of our accesses (Upper Road or A258) were open and avoid pointless journeys
Our talks were constructive. In a nutshell it is all about communication and good planning. The village welcomes highways improvements and accept the safety of the contractors is paramount.
These works were manged by Highways for Highways improvements. Other works are undertaken by the utility companies under permits.
The Parish Council will stay vigilant!
Response from Neil Baker, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, Kent County Council
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