News

HAWKINGE SAFETY FORUM MINUTES 30 MARCH 2006

Held at The Hawkinge Partnership Office 7.00pm

1.  Introductions

Attended
Chris Ashman, David Callahan, Lisa Parsons, Peter Smith, Christena Smith.

Apologies
Sally Coleman, Perry Hayward, PC Trevor Moody, Shaun Taylor, Terry Scott,
Don Veale, Peter Hogben, Tanya Clarke.

2.  Roundup of current actions and news

The Forum actions and concerns list previously submitted to Hawkinge Parish Council (HPC), SDC, KCC, The Hawkinge Partnership and their consultants was discussed and updated.

The extension of the Hawkinge relief road is due to start soon.

Our appeal and village safety concerns published to HPC has been listened-to and Cllr. Peter Smith has been appointed as the HPC representative o­n HCSF

The problems in and around the Village Hall Car Park are being dealt with HPC obtaining reports and estimates for resurfacing. Lighting and fencing for public safety still required.

Cllr. David Callahan has suggested many times to lobby for a 50 mph speed limit for the A260 from the A20 junction to the A2 junction (30 mph through villages) it is thought that Hawkinge and Swingfield Parishes should work together to see this through.

Cllr. Trice has visited a site of our concern with a member of the forum and given a report to HPC about his concern at the Nursery/Lidl roundabout and employment land. HPC has stated, "Any problems should be directed to Richard Smith, Kent Highways Officer."

Regarding the dangerous blind double bend o­n Gibraltar Lane. Don Veale has reported that Planning Officers have visited and agreed some sort of traffic slowing was required and also that a `kissing gate` would be fixed at the end of the new footpath o­n the new developments taking place nearby.

Puddles and mud o­n Elvington Lane have been dealt with by KCC Highways.

Our request for action by SDC parking wardens over the past few months have resulted in the successful prosecution of motorists parking o­n the lower footpath outside of the shops and o­n the bus stop.

Villagers are advised that parking o­n the pavement is a dealt with by the police as obstruction and the 1 in 3 hour waiting limit extends from the centre of the road to the building line of the shop premises. The footpath is obvious and has previously been marked with a white line its edge. Parking o­n the footpath could bring offenders 2 fines. We ask that shoppers park in the village car park or Community Centre car park and walk.

Please do not obstruct the exit of the pathway beside the village Hall; it makes life difficult for the elderly, disabled and those pushing prams.

3   Public Open Forum

Lisa Parsons told the forum of the difficulties and dangers of crossing the road with her children at the roundabout at the top of the present industrial access road, soon to become the Hawkinge relief road.

Parents of Children attending Churchill school are still selfishly causing problems o­n the road outside of the school as shown previously o­n the HCSF safety video.

Our requests to KCC and their promises to deal with them by April 2006 for the obligatory lines, signs and consideration of a 20mph limit outside of  the school have not been honoured.

Lidl have no objection to drivers using their car park to allow parents to walk their children to school. The Forum advises that care should still be taken when using the road crossing due to speeding cars and lack of visibility between industrial/shop site traffic and pedestrians due to excessive shrubbery o­n the roundabout. Complaints about lack of visibility o­n roundabouts in the village are continuous.

Peter Smith gave the forum some information about the future pedestrian crossing o­n the extension of the relief road. This has been discussed before at some length. The majority of Forum members still feel this is too little, too late.

4.  Any Other Business

The possibilities of CCTV in the centre of the village was discussed with no positive outcome.

5.  Date of Next meeting

Thursday 22nd June 2006 ay 7.30pm at the Hawkinge Partnership offices.

Previously proposed date has been changed due to availability of meeting room.

All members of the public or community organisations are welcome to bring safety matters to the forum.

We would like to see more young people and/or their representatives at our meetings