Agenda item

Report ES11118

In accordance with the Private Street Works Code forming part of the Highways Act 1980 a first resolution was required to be made for the making-up of the carriageway and footway in part of Kent House Station Approach, Beckenham. Kent House Station Approach is an unmade, unadopted highway, providing access to both Kent House Station and Alexandra Infants School. The road is in a poor state restricting access to the station.

A First Resolution under the Private Street Works Code was made on 14^th November 2001 in respect of a combined cycle route and footway on the south western side of the street to assist cyclists and pedestrians access the station and school. On 30th January 2002 the Council made a Resolution of Approval under the Private Street Works Code in respect of the combined cycle route and footway. During 2002 the Council built the combined cycle route and footway which was later adopted.

The remaining area in Kent House Station Approach was highlighted on Drawing ESD-10935-1 with a proposed new layout of the carriageway and remaining footway. As part of the statutory procedure and to enable the works to be undertaken a first resolution is required. Under the Private Street Works Code contained in the Highways Act 1980, the Council must first declare by resolution that the carriageway and footway on the south east section is not made up to its satisfaction.

Councillor Kathy Bance reported that she had received no negative feedback on the proposal. She also referred to support for retaining the small green roundabout area and questioned whether there was enough provision for cycle parking. Members were advised that the roundabout would be retained but on a smaller scale and an assessment could be made of the provision for cycle parking.

Councillor Reg Adams highlighted that there was also an unmade road on the southern side of the station and Councillor Sarah Phillips supported Councillor Adams in hoping that a precedent would be set for works to take place on the southern side. She understood that the approach on the southern side was on a private estate. Members were advised that there was no proposal at present for works on the southern side but further information could be provided if Members request. The Chairman indicated that in his view this should not set a precedent, the future making up of unmade roads should be on their merits and with a cost benefit. The Head of Transport Strategy explained that the Council saw the road as unadopted highway and any works would have to be funded against a reducing amount of TfL funding. It could be possible to resolve to make up the road and charge residents fronting the area thereby making it only partly necessary to use TfL funding but to move forward without charging residents would be difficult in times of financial constraint.

Councillor Adams felt there was no rush to examine the southern approach and he would be happy for works on the northern side to bed in. A comment was made that it was simply necessary to smooth the surface between Beckenham Road and the station. The roads nearby had a strong residents association and would come back with their plans.

Councillor Phillips felt that any works to the southern approach amounted to an access strategy providing a classic transport link. She suggested that this was the type of initiative that TfL should be helping the Council with. Although adoption of the whole road was the objective, initially a footway would help.

The Portfolio Holder indicated that it was not viable to undertake works soon to the southern side as the resident associations had different plans. There were also footway priorities in other parts of the borough.

In concluding it was agreed to support the recommendations to the Portfolio Holder and to add a further recommendation noting demand for a footway on the southern approach to Kent House Station and to take the matter forward if and when deemed appropriate and with the availability of TfL funding.

RESOLVED that the recommendations in report ES11118 be supported namely that:

(1)  the Environment Portfolio Holder be asked to recommend to Council that -

  (i)  a First Resolution under s.205(1) of the Highways Act 1980 be made in respect of Kent House Station Approach, as follows:-

  “The Council do hereby declare that part of the street be sewered, levelled, paved, metalled, flagged, channelled, made good and lighted under the provisions of the Highways Act 1980.”

Schedule of Limits

   From the junction of Kent House Station Approach with Kings Hall Road to the south eastern end of the street and from the north eastern boundary of Kent House Station Approach in a south eastern direction throughout its length, all as more particularly shown on drawing no. ESD-10935-1;

  (ii)  it (the Council) resolves to bear the whole of the cost of making up Kent House Station Approach; and 

(2)  the Environment Portfolio Holder be further asked to approve the layout of the combined carriageway and footway on the south eastern side of Kent House Station as shown on drawing no. ESD-10935-1.

It is further RESOLVED that the Portfolio Holder be recommended to:

(3)  note demand for a footway on the southern approach to Kent House Station and that he takes matters forward if and when deemed appropriate and with the availability of TfL funding.