COBHAM & SOLE STREET TRAFFIC UPDATE

6/30/2020

To give us feedback please fill out the Traffic Survey here (closes 30th June 2020)

Dear Neighbour,

This is an update on the work your Parish Council (CPC), your Borough Cllr Tony Rice and KCC Cllr Bryan Sweetland, have been doing to address the unacceptable traffic problems in our villages. In particular, we draw your attention to a specialist traffic consultant’s report that CPC have commissioned to bring some action to the many years of concern we have all expressed.

What work has been going on?
When the new Parish Council was formed in 2019, Chairman Mike Booth established a Traffic Working Group with a 4 year plan to resolve the traffic problems through The Street and Sole Street. This followed the CPC investment in 2018 in a traffic monitoring device, put in place to gather the facts, by counting vehicle volumes and speeds. You may have seen this at various points in Sole Street and Cobham indicating your speed. With facts and figures in hand and after meetings with KCC (the highways authority), early in 2020 CPC commissioned the traffic consultant to analyse the evidence and recommend some feasible solutions.

The consultant’s report
The report is nearly 100 pages long, technical in nature and a written for discussion with KCC. Four potential solution options are suggested, these may not be the only ones, but they are there to start a meaningful dialogue with KCC. On the next page we have summarised the key points, but you can find the full report online here

What next?
Nothing permanent is going to happen without formal consultation with residents. We are not yet at that stage. The purpose of sharing the report now, is for you to voice your initial reaction, so that we can engage with KCC in a way that reflects the range of opinion in our villages.

Please read the summary and/or full report. There are two ways that you can raise questions, or share your views. Either contact one of the people below, and/or complete a short survey available here

Who can I contact?
Residents can contact:

Email Tony Rice at tony.rice@gravesham.gov.uk, or call 01474 815306 or 07802 162443
E,ail Matt Mason at matthew.mason@cobham-kent-pc.gov.uk or call 07768 028370

IF YOU WISH TO PROVIDE AN OPINION, PLEASE DO SO BY 30TH JUNE 2020. To give us feedback please fill out the Traffic Survey here

What then?
Nothing will happen until the post CV19 ‘new normal’ has developed. We don’t know yet whether traffic will increase further, or decrease. We will also discuss the report with KCC to explore the options and initial residents’ views. At that point we anticipate a formal public consultation on the preferred option. If there is overwhelming support for one of the options, KCC will then work with us on modelling local implications, how it can be implemented and funded. This will almost certainly require a local government decision, which will take into account support and objections that may be submitted by individuals, other communities nearby, or public services requiring access through our villages. (Fire, Police etc).

We look forward to receiving your views, please note it is essential that we get significant input from a large number of parishioners, not just those that live on the two streets effected. These are your villages.

A Short Summary of the Consultant’s Report

The Problems Identified

Due to queuing and delays on the A2, Cobham and Sole Street are badly affected by traffic rat running between the A2 and A227 and vice versa.
Traffic on the A2 continues to increase year on year (8%), yet rat run traffic through the two villages is growing disproportionately faster (37%) • They are carrying 5 to 6 times the national average for their road type (C Roads)
The national average is 1,230 on a normal weekday, whereas Cobham carries nearly 6,000 and Sole Street over 7,000
In the peak hour period, Cobham experiences 600 vehicles on average, with 800 going through Sole Street, but the volumes soar even higher when the A2 is at a standstill
The Street, Cobham is far from an average C Road width, because at its narrowest it is only 4.2m and 2way traffic cannot pass safely
Where 0 is bad and 5 is good, the villages score 0 for volume on the ‘Rate My Road’ scale

Safety and Wellbeing Implications for Residents

Pedestrian safety is a significant concern in both villages
There are no footways for a large section of road either side of Sole Street and the narrow road width in The Street forces pedestrians and vehicles to compete for space
There is a detrimental impact on the historic character of Cobham and the day-to-day amenity in the village

Potential Future Options
Four options are submitted for discussion, ranging from low to high in terms of impact on the problem, intrusiveness and cost:

Gateway Features - To give drivers the sense that they are crossing a threshold into a village community, in the hope it deters bad driver behaviours
Access Only - Restricting access to Cobham for residents and those accessing facilities, such as pubs, shops and school. This will require the police to enforce.
One-way - Make The Street and Sole Street one way in the northbound/eastbound direction. This will eliminate all traffic rat running from A2 to A227.
No Through Road - Closure of Cobham with a road block feature near the Darnley Arms

Please note that Traffic Lights have been discounted due to adverse local impact of pollution and queuing traffic.

Each option will have differing advantages and disadvantages, depending on where you live in Cobham or Sole Street, so please take some time to reflect on the report and let us have your initial views by completing the short survey via the link above, or contact Tony or Matt using the contact details above. – Thank you!

14 Comments

Steve shipway

5/21/2020 04:34:11 pm

Option 1 will make no difference
Option 2 has no resources to enforce
Option 3 and 4 gives no consideration to neighbouring villagers passing between villages and will cause more mayhem to Luddesdowne as rat runners aren’t stupid.

The four options aren’t viable and by the time any are introduced the game would have moved on outdating them. AN extension of the slalom queuing method similar to Castle Way at leybourne extended to outside of parish lines will allow all normal access but frustrate those trying to avoid a queue by being in another. castle way is dead compared to previous experience after the re-engineering.

The options considered are either pointless or selfish and do not take into account all parishioners needs or requirements.

Stefan Hill

5/21/2020 05:14:24 pm

None of these options seem to be targeting the speed of traffic. With the majority of cars flying through the villages, the Sat Navs are picking up on the average speed of cars and highlighting the routes through the villages as the fastest routes.

With ZERO speed limiting measures in Sole Street, speeding cars are putting our lives at risk. I fear for my family and neighbours (with some of us having no pavement outside our houses) having to meet cars going well over the speed limit pretty much every time we step out of our front door.

With lives at risk, isn't speed a priority over the volume of traffic?

Georgia Peart

5/21/2020 10:24:16 pm

I don’t think any of the measures will go any way to lowering the traffic or speeds (or without causing issues for other locations you’ll then have to deal with later down the line). The figures in the report of the average speeds through Sole Street absolutely do not reflect what I as a resident witness all day everyday. Either data has been excluded or you’ve not measured in the right place. The speeds between Manor Road and Round Street are dangerously high considering children and families use the shop and there is little to no pavement outside and no pavement for the residents of Sole Street other than Stratton Fields. Lives are at risk and drastic measures must be brought in as a priority before it’s too late.

Paul Steenhuis

5/23/2020 07:58:46 am

I would support anything that makes an improvement. But, in the short term could we possibly stop the parking outside of our church/opposite Leather Bottle car park. I'm sure I do not have to explain the pinch point problems this causes.

Peter Crow

5/23/2020 11:57:53 am

I agree with some other comments in that options 1 & 2 are just a wast of time as they will be ignored by potential offenders. It is great that the whole issue is being addressed professionally and well done Cobham & Sole Street Parish council - HOWEVER in hindsight it was maybe a shame that the original brief was too narrow and did not ALSO include Luddesdowne as there is a real danger that in solving Cobham and Sole Streets issues the problem just moves to become Luddesdownes. With regard to the specific report recommendations I personally favour option 4. Yes there maybe some local inconvenience to residents but it would solve the traffic issue through Cobham and Sole street. Whatever the outcome it needs to be put in place sooner rather than later and option 4 can only be implemented if traffic can also be stopped from rat running from Halfpence Lane through Batts Road and or through Luddesdowne

Daniel bishop

5/24/2020 03:40:55 pm

Something needs to happen living in Cobham with young children. The main problem is the morning rush so think options 3/4 would help

V Reid

5/27/2020 03:43:06 pm

Regarding Option 3: Where would Sole Street be made one way from and to? The speed of traffic coming through Sole Street currently is terrible, but would making it one way push through traffic down Round Street / White Post Lane / Sallows Shaw / Manor Road (people trying to cut through)? And would it lead to traffic cutting through from the Wrotham Road down Nurstead Lane / White Post Lane / Round Street?

The speed on Sole Street is dreadful: but would making it one way add to high volume of traffic on the single width lanes (Round Street / Nurstead / White Post Lane) and winding residential roads (Sallows Shaw & Manor Road)?

5/27/2020 03:52:22 pm

Out of the four options I think Option 4 might work best, along with additional speed limiting measures in Sole Street (which would have less traffic anyway if A2 access through Cobham was stopped).

5/27/2020 03:59:45 pm

PS I have just read comments about Option 4 and its effect on rat running through Luddesdown. Really good points made. I hadn't thought about this: it would not be good for them at all.

Thank you for arranging this survey. What a shame that it seems that none of the options seem to work for all parts of the parish though.

5/30/2020 04:34:30 pm

Sorry all: I know I am commenting a lot. But I'm thinking about this a lot.

Would this option work: making Cobham one way / no entry FROM the start of the 30 limit approaching the village on Halfpence Lane (maybe with a mini roundabout at that spot to allow cars to turn round). This would allow access to Ashenbank Woods, and would solve the A2 traffic coming throught the village in the mornings (which is the worst problem). It would also prevent cars from diverting and 'rat running' through Luddesdown.

Then, additional traffic calming through Sole Street would be very much welcomed. Any possibility of 'average speed'? Checking cars' speed in and out of the village?

Min Keating

6/10/2020 12:03:24 pm

I cannot support any of the given options. We need to exclude through traffic at all times while allowing residents access.
The speed limit needs to be reduced in all sections to 20 mph not just Cobham High Street. IT changes to Sat nav is required to exclude the use of the local treacherous local roads.
The planned development of the new Thames Tunnel will throw the whole issue in the air again. Considration must consider the viability of our village shops.

Robin Theobald link

6/26/2020 11:27:14 am

I live in Shorne and I would object strongly to any proposal that would impede my ability to drive directly from Shorne to Meopham via Cobham and in the other direction.

I would support weight or width restrictions and a ban on HGV's (except for access to Cobham itself)

Noel Clark link

6/28/2020 10:35:11 am

May I first congratulate Cobham PC on taking steps to tackle this problem. This is a problem for all those living on minor roads in this area. I am shocked by the suffering this problem has caused the residents of Cobham and Sole Street, and agree that a solution must be found.
However, as a resident of Luddesdown I am against changes to the Network that cause problems elsewhere. I will write to the Council to explore this matter further.

Anonymous

6/30/2020 08:29:39 pm

I am in favour of any measure taken to deal with this headache. It seriously affects my quality of life, living on the roadside, and makes moving through the village in the morning impossible. As a young person even I would be happy for a road closure that decisively deals with this issue, and I do feel that those who have put up with this hardship should be prioritised when it comes to a solution. It seems unlikely a rat run could develop through luddesdown and may I point out that there are significantly fewer residents there. In a worst case scenario, measures could be taken to protect luddesdown from the traffic, but this matter does require the perspective of the greater good. It seems unlikely that commuters will make such a lengthy effort.
I do hope a decisive decision will be made to deal with this issue. The character of this parish is completely on the line with the option C consequences, and I do hope people respect this is not a matter for selfish thoroughfare if you do not even live in the eye of the storm.

COBHAM & SOLE STREET TRAFFIC UPDATE

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