Following extensive and constructive discussions between KCC Highways and Cobham Parish Council, along with Cllrs Bryan Sweetland (KCC) and Tony Rice (GBC), the following action plan is now underway:
 
Short Term - It is agreed by all that the paramount priority is the safety of pedestrians and property owners along the narrow areas of The Street, where vehicles mounting the kerb and driving partly on the footway is a common occurrence. KCC are now looking into the design of a scheme to help alleviate this problem thorough the installation of bollards in the carriageway. It is hoped that the design will help prevent vehicles from using the footways as passing places and therefore allay pedestrian concerns here. If this scheme is approved, it is expected to be implemented in the first quarter of 2021. Additional enhanced signage is also being designed with the aim to deter inappropriate traffic heading towards the village at the Halfpence Lane roundabout junction.
 
Medium Term - There is an accord that the Cobham/Sole Street to Meopham corridor is being used inappropriately as a rat run route, primarily by A2 users. There is however no easy solution to this because complex issues are involved, such as traffic displacement to other areas, maintaining access to Cobham School, the pubs and the shop, emergency service responses, traders and deliveries to the community, school buses etc. Innovative trials of potential highway improvement schemes are being actively considered, including the introduction of a temporary traffic lights system, or making Cobham a one-way road.  It must be stressed that these ideas are currently at feasibility stage only and no final decisions have yet been made. If such schemes are considered appropriate to be approved as trials, the purpose will be to ultimately to find out what works and what doesn’t. If successful, we would hope to see a trial introduced at some stage during 2021.
 
Long Term - Given that the source of the traffic problem is primarily displaced traffic coming off the M2/A2, in order to avoid congestion and delays, KCC are working with both Highways England (HE) and Lower Thames Crossing (LTC) to collaborate on a future scheme that keeps such traffic where it should remain, on the Strategic Road Network owned by HE. KCC will be looking into the feasibility of using innovative video technology-based solutions that could provide an ‘access only’ answer. This would mean that the technology would recognise the number plates of vehicles, and have the ability to automatically reference DVLA database and fine drivers that are not authorised users.  As above, it must again be stressed that this idea is very much at concept stage and could be the first of its kind.  Much more work is needed before a final decision can be made as to its suitability. If such a scheme is ultimately considered viable, then we would hope to see it trialled in advance of the opening of the LTC.
 
 

Cobham Primary School will be closed until the 23rd November due to Covid 19.

From Monday 16 November we will introduce a reduced timetable in response to the current phase of the Covid-19 pandemic.
This timetable reflects reduced passenger demand and the need for some frontline colleagues who keep our network running, to follow personal NHS advice and self-isolate.

Reduced timetable to keep service resilient during virus impact The new timetable is designed to enable us to run a resilient service and will help prevent short notice cancellations, should more frontline colleagues be affected by the virus.

Throughout the pandemic, we’ve continually monitored passenger numbers and responded with adjustments to our timetable. The slight reduction to services this winter will also ensure that the number of services better meets changed patterns of demand. Where necessary, further adjustments will be made to support social distancing on busier routes as part of our safer travel pledge to ensure that if you need to, you can travel with confidence.
​
This timetable will run until further notice and is expected to be available in online journey planners tomorrow, from Thursday 12 November. The map above provides a summary of the service reductions by route and larger version of the map can be found by clicking the image.
Find out more A text summary of the changes by service route and FAQ can be found on our website.
Our teams are working hard to make sure that if you travel on our trains, you can travel with confidence. We are asking all of our passengers to plan ahead and avoid travelling at busy times where possible.

 Visit the multi-agency wellbeing hub developed in response to COVID19 at www.kent.gov.uk/wellbeing
#KentTogether
 

Essential Works
In line with government advice, our highway maintenance works are vital in keeping roads open, key workers and emergency services moving, deliveries flowing, and safeguarding the provision of utility services to support the NHS, local communities, homes and businesses. Kent County Council is prioritising essential works to enable a fully functioning network, ensuring that life-saving medicine, equipment, supplies and healthcare staff can travel across the country to where they are needed most, whilst considering the risk to both our workforce and the public.
 
We take the wellbeing of the public and our workforce extremely seriously, and please be assured we have put in place all mitigating measures necessary to abide by the guidance currently in place.
 
We ask that whilst works are ongoing that you do not approach the workforce and if you have any enquiries regarding these are raised through the Kent County Council contact centre on 03000 41 81 81 Mon to Fri 09:00 to 17:00.
 
When we plan to carry out the work and how long it will take
This is to let you know that, as part of KCC’s Pothole Blitz Phase 6, we will be carrying out resurfacing works on the roundabout of Halfpence Lane, Brewers Road and Watling Link Road (leading to Thong Lane).
 
This work will start on 16th November 2020 and should be completed within 5 nights. The works will generally be undertaken between the hours of 20:00 and 06:00, but if required it may be necessary to go beyond these times to complete an area of work.
 
This type of work can be affected by bad weather, so if it is not possible for us to carry it out at this time, we will arrange a new date and let you know via a letter drop to your home.
 
 
What we plan to do
We will remove the existing road surface by a method known as milling. The complete area will then be swept by a mechanical sweeper to ensure the prepared surface is clean and free of dust and debris. If required, the existing manhole covers, and rain water gully gratings will be adjusted or replaced to the correct level before the new surface is laid. Please note that the whole operation is noisy and can be prolonged when the use of pneumatic hand tools is required.
 
The new surfacing material will then be laid using a machine called a paver and compacted with a roller. This is a quick process and dependant on the design with either be a one- or two-layer process. Finally, following completion of the resurfacing, all associated road markings will be re-painted, and the road will then be re-opened. Please note that during this whole process, audible warning reversing sirens will be heard; this is a health and safety requirement and cannot be turned off but will be kept to a minimum.
 
How will we carry out the work?
To carry out these works safely we will require a Road Closure on Brewers Road (from its junction with the A2 off slip), Halfpence Lane (from its junction with The Street roundabout), A2 London bound off and on slip and Watling Link Road leading to Thong Lane. These routes will have a signed diversion to the A2 Gravesham East exit with drivers required to utilise local signage to reach their destination.
 
How you can help
It is inevitable that residents and businesses near the works will experience some disruption and we apologise in advance for any inconvenience caused, but we will try to keep this to a minimum. Restricted Access to residential properties and all businesses up to the closure point, will be available, when safe to do so, but if you have any access needs, please let the workforce on site know whilst keeping your distance. Access to properties between the closure points will need to be restricted while work is carried out in front of each property.
 
We need your help to make sure the work is done as quickly as possible and to the best possible quality. If your vehicle is usually parked on the carriageway, please make sure you park it somewhere else away from the site whilst the works are carried out, so the road is clear for us to resurface.
 
How to contact us?
If you need more information, please call us on 03000 418181 quoting Halfpence Lane Roundabout 15209519.
You can also visit our website www.kent.gov.uk/highways to find out how we look after the roads throughout Kent or report any faults you find on our roads.