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In the District of Folkestone & Hythe THE KENT COUNTY COUNCIL (VARIOUS ROADS, FOLKESTONE & HYTHE) (SPEED LIMITS) (CONSOLIDATION) ORDER 2020 (AMENDMENT No.9) ORDER 2025 Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984

NOTICE is given that the Kent County Council hereby proposes to make the abovenamed Order under Sections 81, 82, 84 and 124 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, the effect of which would be to: –

The effect of the order would be to introduce a 20 MPH speed limit on the following lengths of roads in Sandgate, Folkestone and Hythe:

CASTLE ROAD, GOUGH ROAD, GRANVILLE PARADE, GRANVILLE ROADEAST, GRANVILLE ROAD EAST, GRANVILLE ROAD WEST, HILLSIDE,LACHLAN WAY, PARADE ROAD, THE CRESCENT, WILBERFORCE ROAD -For their entire lengths. MILITARY ROAD – From its junction with Sandgate High Street for a distance of 50 metres in a northerly direction. SANDGATE HIGH STREET – From a point 30 metres east of its junction with Lachlan Way for a distance of 635 metres in a westerly direction. THE UNDERCLIFF – From itsjunction with Sandgate High Street for a distance of 277 metres in a northerly direction.

A full statement of the Council’s reasons for making the proposed Order, a plan indicating the location and the effect and a copy of any other Orders which will be amended by the proposed Order may be examined at Kent Highways & Transportation, Kent County Council, Kroner House, Eurogate Business Park, Ashford, TN24 8XU by appointment booked through tro@kent.gov.uk or viewed online from 4 April 2025 at www.kent.gov.uk/highwaysconsultations

Representations supporting or objecting to the proposed Order (your objection must explain the impact on traffic in the locality to be valid) can be made via our website using the above link or alternatively you can write to The Senior Parking & Traffic Regulation Officer, Traffic Management Team, Kent Highways & Transportation, Kent County Council, Kroner House, Eurogate Business Park, Ashford, TN24 8XU by 12 noon Monday 28 April 2025.

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Various-Roads-Sandgate-Plan-1

Various-Roads-Sandgate-Plan-2

The informal consultation on the Sandgate 20mph zone concluded at the end of January, and on 4th March we submitted the results to KCC.

The online survey was supplemented with a leaflet (copy is the “printable consultation document” here) which was delivered to every letterbox in the roads to be covered by the 20mph zone.

The broad results were that of the 305 responses, 291 were in favour of the creation of the 20mph zone
as proposed (95.4%) and 14 opposed.

Of the 288 that supported, a large number (108) stated their support for a zone covering a larger area. A number of those consultation responses were from 2 people. The responses were from a total of 330 people, with 315 in favour (95.4%) and 15 against, pretty much exactly the same split.

In response KCC have considered those responses and today have confirmed they will publish a TRO for the scheme, which will include a formal consultation.

I’m delighted to say that in reaction to the comments have slightly extended the scheme to cover from the traffic island in from of the library, to the junction with Wilberforce Road nearest Coastguard Cottages, and starting on Military Road a little above the junction with Gough Road which overall decreases the number of signs required to enter / exit the zone and makes the whole more coherent, and includes a length of Sandgate High Street from Homevale House to Wilberforce Road.

We will hear more on the publication of the TRO with the revised extents plan soon, but there is good,
solid progress here, and thanks the huge number of respondents, of which the huger majority were positive, on the scheme.

The Forestry Commission are working on the eradication response to the eight-toothed spruce bark beetle, Ips typographus, which is an invasive and regulated pest in England.

Ips typographus targets weakened or damaged spruce trees, and storm events like we’re experiencing this winter can create ideal habitat. It is being blown over from outbreaks in Europe and, if left unchecked, it could potentially build in numbers and would be devastating to the country’s timber industry. We therefore advise proactive management of spruce to remove potential habitat and risk of infestation.

Everyone in the Proactive Spruce Removal Area is encouraged to be vigilant for windblown, snapped, damaged and stressed spruce trees, and to submit a TreeAlert report for anything of concern or email ips.t@forestrycommission.gov.uk. This could be landowners, those directly involved with managing spruce (e.g. foresters, tree surgeons, Christmas tree growers), or members of the public who use spruce woodlands recreationally (e.g. dog walkers, ramblers).

Additional info can be found via the GOV.uk Ips typographus page.

Invasive Spruce Bark Beetle: Proactive Spruce Removal Area

As a key part of our maintenance and improvement of Sandgate Park and Freemantle Park and the areas under our control, we commission an annual tree report on all trees in that land to make sure they are healthy, safe, and need any works.

The tree reports are both an important of making sure we are looking after the area well. It is also an insurance requirement, to ensure we have done our best to protect park users.

The most recent tree reports were undertaken in September 2024:

Sandgate-Recreation-Ground-Tree-Report-2024

Fremantle-Road-Rec-Tree-Report-2024

As you’ll see, both reports identified a number of works, from pollarding (cutting trees back) to remedial works to, in a few cases, removing / felling dead trees entirely.

We have commissioned a local company – Spearpoint Tree Services – to do the works (after an open tendering process) and they will be undertaken in February and March as below. Please be reassured that we have taken the best possible advice on the works needed, and works are being undertaken now to reduce the chances of disturbing nesting birds etc, but all trees will be checked for signs of nests etc prior to works on any tree.

Works will be completed between 9am-5pm, and we apologise for any noise caused, but ask people stay back a safe distance.

Fremantle Park

21^st February 

Spearpoint Tree Service will  be undertaking works at Fremantle Park to safely remove any dead trees. Additionally, they will address the surrounding weed growth around the Lombardy Poplar and continue to provide support by securing the tree with supporting stakes. These measures are aimed at enhancing the overall health and appearance of the park.

Sandgate Park

6^th & 7^th March

The tree work for the removal and re-pollarding of crack willow/common alder, as well as the reduction of Monterey Cypress, has been scheduled for Thursday, 6th and Friday, 7th March. The work will involve reducing the height of the Monterey Cypress by a maximum of four metres, and the east-facing lateral branch will be reduced by a maximum of three metres.

Additionally, six crack willow/common alder trees showing extensive decay will be felled to ground level. All remaining trees within the group will be re-pollarded.

17^th March – 21^st March

The remaining tree works  tree work has been scheduled to take place during the week commencing 17th March 2025, with an anticipated completion by Friday, 21st March 2025.

After many years campaigning by local residents, Kent County Council have accepted proposals for a limited size Sandgate High Street 20mph zone through the centre of Sandgate. This is subject to a positive public consultation and Sandgate Parish Council finding the funding to implement the scheme.

The Sandgate High Street 20mph zone is in response to many concerns about safety in the centre of the village. Many people have made the case that the zone could be longer, or supported by more measures, than is proposed. However this scheme is the very maximum Kent County Council will allow to be installed, now.

The maps below show the extent of the 20mph limit in the area. Essentially the restriction will run along the A259 Sandgate High Street from the junction with Saga / Enbrook Park along to the junction with Wilberforce Road nearest to Homevale House. Roads off the High Street will also be included as marked – Castle Road, Lachlan Way, Gough Road, Granville Road East, Granville Parade, The Parade, Granville Road West, The Undercliff, The Crescent, Wilberforce Road & Hillside.

We need you to express your view on the scheme to give Kent County Council confidence to proceed. The more positive responses they receive, the more likely they will accept implementation of the scheme.

Sandgate High Street 20mph zone: Good Questions

Will the 20mph zone be legally enforceable?

Yes, but as with 30mph zones, the Police time to do so is limited.

The Sandgate Speedwatch team will be able to do their volunteer sessions in the zone reminding people of their speed. With that, and the huge majority of people hopefully understanding the clear signage and need for it, will slow down traffic in itself.

How will the new limit be promoted?

There will be new and clear 20mph signs on each approach to the zone, and the current “30” roundels will be repainted to “20”. It is not proposed to add any speed bumps or width restrictions to the road (it’s loud and tight enough already).

Is a 20mph zone actually safer?

Clearly, the slower you are travelling, the more opportunity drivers have to see and react to “events” happening in front of them, and the data shows there are less accidents.

That’s not to say accidents won’t still happen. However the key point is a crash at 30mph involves twice as much energy and destructive potential as a crash at 20mph.

www.brake.org.uk/get-involved/take-action/mybrake/knowledge-centre/speed/speed-and-injury

Do 20mph zones cause more pollution?

20mph zones do not appear to worsen air quality. They also support a shift to walking and cycling, generate less traffic noise and reduce the division of communities. In 20mph zones vehicles move more smoothly with fewer accelerations and decelerations. 

www.london.gov.uk/who-we-are/what-london-assembly-does/questions-mayor/find-an-answer/20mph-speed-limit-and-air-pollution

When will it come into force?

That’s rather in the hands of Kent County Council, but we hope in the spring of this year if the consultation response is favourable. It will only become enforceable when the clear signage, and associated road traffic orders, are in place.

What impact will it have on parking?

No parking spaces are being lost as part of this proposal.

With luck, lower speeds may result in less wing mirrors being lost from cars at the Hythe end of Sandgate High Street, but that’s only a hope.

I support this scheme. How do I say so?

Please email clerk@sandgate-pc.gov.uk with your name and address and state you SUPPORT the 20mph scheme for Sandgate. You can give any other comments if you wish.

Alternatively you can use the form below and return to Sandgate Library. Please respond (by email or returning the form) by Noon on 31st January 2025 at the latest.

I support this scheme but wish the zone was bigger / longer / covered other areas. How do I say so?

Please email clerk@sandgate-pc.gov.uk with your name and address and state you SUPPORT the 20mph scheme for Sandgate. Make sure you add comments as to what else you would like to see. You can give any other comments if you wish.

Alternatively you can use the form below and return to Sandgate Library. Please respond (by email or returning the form) by Noon on 31st January 2025 at the latest.

I oppose this scheme. How do I say so?

Please email clerk@sandgate-pc.gov.uk with your name and address and state you OPPOSE the 20mph scheme for Sandgate. You can give any other comments if you wish.

Alternatively you can use the form below and return to Sandgate Library. Please respond (by email or returning the form) by Noon on 31st January 2025 at the latest.

I have some questions: who can I ask?

Please email clerk@sandgate-pc.gov.uk with any questions.

The Sandgate High Street 20mph zone scheme we are consulting on is that which Kent Highways would accept being put in place: Sandgate Parish Council have no ability to change it. The scheme is either supported, and implemented as is, and then evaluated, or not. We’ve not been offered “options”.

Maps

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Printable Consultation Document

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The Pensioner Just Missing Out scheme supports Kent pensioners in need of help with significantly rising living costs. The scheme is available for pension-aged residents on lower incomes who are not eligible for Pension Credit or the government’s Winter Fuel Payment.

The scheme is funded by the Department for Work and Pensions on behalf of the UK government.

Please note – you will need to provide an email address and have online access for energy support activation. Food vouchers will not require online activation and can be issued by email or post.

This scheme provides eligible residents with £200 towards energy, food, or both. The scheme will close on 28 February 2025, or when all funds are spent.

Pensioner-Just-Missing-Out-Scheme_A4-Poster__191224-2

Christmas Sandgate Library Closure:

• Tuesday 24th December

• Wednesday 25th December

• Thursday 26th December

• Wednesday 1st January

The parish office will be closed from 24th December until 2nd January.

Very best wishes for Christmas and the New Year from all at Sandgate Parish Council and Library.

Kent County Council are consulting on changes to the preventative Services that it funds. It proposes to cut the Community Navigation service and significantly reduce wellbeing services for older people and adults with complex needs.

How to take part?

You can fill out the consultation online at www.kent.gov.uk/wellbeingconsultation

You can call Kent County Council on 03000 415846

You can send an email to innovationandpartnerships@kent.gov.uk

You can pick up a paper copy at:

• Age UK Hythe, Sanford House, Stade Street, Hythe, CT21 6BD
• The Marigold Centre, 65 Shaftesbury Avenue, Folkestone CT19 4NS
• Romney Marsh Community Hub, Rolfe Lane, New Romney, TN28 8JR