NORTHFLEET ROAD STAYS OPEN - COMMON SENSE PREVAILS

At a meeting of the Highways Advisory Board of Kent County Council held on 8^th May 2008 it was unanimously agreed to recommend to the Cabinet Member for Highways that a previous recommendation from Gravesham Joint Transport Board be overturned and that the newly built Hogg Lane /Downs Road be opened to vehicular traffic with a weight and physical width restriction. It was also recommended that the position be reviewed a year after the road is reopened.

The Gravesham Joint Transport Board, on the casting vote of its Conservative Chairman Councillor William Dyke , had recommended that the road be closed to all vehicular traffic and open only to pedestrians, cyclists and horses.

The road has been temporarily closed during the construction of the new A2, but previously allowed all vehicle usage.

The Kent County Council Board recognised the real problems the closure of the road would cause to the residents of Northfleet Green who would have been cut off from their local school, Painters Ash; their local shops, Painters Ash and local doctor’s surgery, Painters Ash.

Leslie Christie – County Councillor for Northfleet and Gravesend West, which covers Painters Ash Ward said :

“I am pleased that I was allowed to speak at the KCC meeting and that common sense prevailed. I am glad that the residents of Northfleet Green will be given the chance of getting back to business as usual having had their lives disrupted by the temporary closure of the road.

It is a pity that some Conservative members of the Gravesham Joint Board did not recognise the residents’ concerns and that it has taken Kent County Council to put right that wrong.

I have every confidence that the KCC Cabinet Member will support the recommendations of the Highways Authority Officers and the unanimous view of the elected members of the Highways Advisory Board.