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Please see the following message from Highways England
As you are aware, the Lower Thames Crossing is currently undertaking a series of surveys at locations throughout North Kent and Essex to help us to improve our proposals and support our Development Consent Order application. I am writing to let you know about the next phase of these surveys. As well as continuing with ground investigations, archaeological trial trenching and utility trial trenching, we will now also be carrying out nail surveys which involves installing small survey nails along and near to the proposed route. What are you doing?
Where will the investigations take place?
When will the work take place?
We will continue to write to nearby residents in advance to let them know what is happening and when. Utility Surveys – Thong Lane We will be carrying out utility survey works near to Inn on the Lake on Friday 25th September which will require a single-lane closure with temporary traffic lights between 9pm and 5am. We are also planning overnight works (between 9pm and 5am) on Monday 19th October, this will be a bit further north on Thong Lane and will require a full road closure. You can find further details on these surveys and where they are taking place on the communities page of our website. Urgent Road Closure - Thong Lane, Shorne - 23rd September 2020 (Gravesham)
It will be necessary to close Thong Lane, Shorne from 23rd September 2020 for up to 3 days. The road will be closed at outside Thong Lodge. The alternative route is via Vigilant Way - Marling Way - Valley Drive - Marling Cross - Henhurst Rd - Jeskyns Rd - The Street - Halfpence Lane. This is to enable repair works to a burst main to be carried out by South East Water. Dear Resident,
Re: Sole Street Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) Review As you will be aware, Parking Services have been conducting a review of the Controlled Parking Zones (CPZs) in the borough. We initially intended to send this correspondence in March 2020 however due to the COVID-19 lockdown, Kent County Council (KCC), who we act on behalf of when considering residential parking schemes, put any consultations on hold. The first part of the review involved letters and surveys being sent to all residents that live in the current CPZ. The letters were sent on 15 July 2019 and residents had 6 weeks to return the questionnaire. After reviewing the feedback received from this questionnaire, we started an informal consultation and sent letters on 06 January 2020 outlining our proposals. What feedback did we receive from the informal consultation? From the 171 properties contacted, we received a total of ten responses to the consultation with five supporting the changes, four objections and one response just asking a question. In our informal consultation letter sent in January 2020, we advised that feedback is important (whether support or objections) but that if we did not receive any response from an address, it would be assumed that the residents of that property are happy with the proposals. With the non-response from 161 properties and five responses supporting the proposals, it shows a clear majority supported the proposals made. Proposed Changes to the CPZ parking scheme Based on the feedback from residents on the surveys, we propose to extend the time from 30 minutes to one hour from 12 noon – 12:30pm to 12 noon – 1pm Monday to Friday. This extra time also gives our enforcement officers additional time to get round the zone and enforce the restrictions. The current 30 minute restriction does limit the amount of roads they are able to cover during the CPZ time. We propose to replace the current ‘Sole Street CPZ’ with a Permit Parking Area (PPA), and the area will form Zone ‘SS01’. Under the current CPZ scheme, the waiver permit limit is one per property if the property has off-street parking available and two if no off-street parking is available. There are no separate resident or visitor permits. As outlined in the informal proposals, we intend to implement separate resident and visitor permits. Resident’s permits will be kept to the same limit, one if the property has off-street parking available and two if you the property does not have off street parking. These resident permits will be registration specific and applicants will need to provide the vehicle log book being registered at the address (typed, printed and recently dated letters on company headed paper will be required for company vehicles) - the price remains at £15 per year. We also propose to introduce a separate visitor permit and these will be limited to one per property. These will also be at the same charge of £15 per year and will not include a registration number so can be used by any visitors for parking within the parking scheme. Residents that hold existing waiver permits valid for more than 6 weeks from the date the Order is made will be issued one year free of charge for either a resident or visitor permit. Residents whose existing waiver permits that expire within 6 weeks of the Order being made will need to apply for new PPA permits at a cost of £15. At present, we do not know the date the Order will be ‘made’ as this is dependent on feedback received. Should we receive majority support for the proposals, once the final decision has been made, the date will be confirmed and communicated with each address by letter with further details being provided on how to obtain the new permits. What is a Permit Parking Area (PPA)?
Examples of the PPA entry and exit signs have been provided for reference. Similar to what we already offer within our CPZs, businesses and organisations within the zone are entitled to apply for PPA permits for their staff and the same limits will apply. Visitor permits are not available to businesses or organisations. What happens next? This letter serves as notification of a formal consultation and on street Notices will also be installed in affected roads. We have a statutory duty to undertake a formal consultation with residents for 21 days. The Formal Consultation will start on Thursday 03 September 2020 and will end at 5pm on Thursday 24 September 2020. During the consultation period residents will have the opportunity to provide, support or object to the proposals or to provide general feedback. For further information copies of the draft Order, the statement of the Council’s reasons for making the proposed Order, and a copy of any other Orders which will be amended by the proposed Order may be examined on our website www.gravesham.gov.uk/parking-consultations Why do my views matter? It is just as important to supply feedback whether in support of the proposals or objecting to the proposals. If we do not receive any objections from your address, it will again be assumed that you are happy with the proposals. Please discuss the parking proposals with all the people residing at your address and send your support or objection in writing, either via email or letter, to the addresses provided overleaf, by 5pm on Thursday 24 September 2020. Unfortunately, we will be unable to consider your views if you fail to respond by this date. Please ensure you mark your response ‘Sole Street CPZ Review’ as we are currently reviewing a number of areas around the borough. Email address – [email protected] Postal address – RE: Sole Street CPZ Review Parking Services Gravesham Borough Council Civic Centre Windmill Street Gravesend Kent DA12 1AU Have any questions? If you have any questions or enquiries on the proposals prior to you making a decision as to whether you support or oppose them, please email [email protected], or call 01474 33 70 00 to speak to our customer services team. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone that provided feedback and expressed their views in completing the initial questionnaire as well as the informal consultation. |
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