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From regularly listening to people across the county, we
have developed a set of priorities that we will focus on and
deliver between now and 2010. In order to deliver quicker, safer,
easier and more reliable journeys in Kent, we will:
- Work towards introducing a Kent youth travel card entitling all
11-16 year-olds to free public transport in the county, subject to
the outcome of two district pilots;
- Provide more car parking places in Kent and remove unnecessary
yellow lines and bus lanes;
- Launch 'Congestion Busting' teams and intelligent traffic light
management systems to speed traffic flow and reduce peak journey
time between and within towns by 10%;
- Penalise contractors for unnecessary delays caused by road
works and synchronise road works to minimise disruption;
- Improve integration between public transport services and
through-ticketing on trains and buses;
- Increase the number of roads and footpaths repaired.
How big is the road network in Kent?
Kent has one of the largest road networks in the country. We
maintain over 5000 miles of roads and 4000 miles of pavement. We
regularly inspect, clean, repair, trim or improve:
- 2700 bridges;
- 110,000 street lights;
- 20,000 illuminated signs and bollards;
- 250 junctions with traffic signals;
- 350 pedestrian and cycle crossings controlled by signals
- 130,000 traffic signs;
- 28,000 trees along roads;
- 170,000 road drains; and
- 300 miles of cycle routes.
Do you regularly check the roads and pavements in Kent?
We inspect busy A and B roads once every month, and all other
roads (like housing estates or country lanes) once every six
months. We inspect busy pavements every month, and other paths and
pavements once every year. We also carry out inspections in
response to problems reported to us by local residents, parish
councils, the police and so on.
Do you only look after roads and pavements?
As well as looking after roads and pavements, we also promote
road safety and other ways of travelling, including supporting over
200 local bus services. We're working to make your journey
enjoyable and are committed to:
- "better condition of roads and pavements;
- safer roads and pavements;
- improving journey times for all;
- shaping development and improving travel choice in Kent;
- improving public satisfaction;
- delivering an efficient and sustainable service."
If I see a fault or problem on the highway what do Kent Highway
Services want me to do?
Please report faults or problems to Kent Highway Services staff
who are available 24 hours a day 365 days a year to record your
enquiry. Call us on 08458 247 800
When I have reported a problem what will Kent Highway Services
do?
Once you have reported a problem Kent Highway Services will
quickly access your call and place it in one of the following
categories;
- Danger - where we judge the defect is a threat to life and limb
we aim to attend the site and make it safe within 2½ hours of the
report being received.
- Hazards - where we judge the defect to be a hazard to public
safety we aim to attend the site and fix the fault within 5 working
days of the report being received.
- Streetlights - we will aim to repair streetlights within 7
working days of the report being received. However if there is a
major problem or fault with the mains power supply we will have to
call in the local electricity supply company (for example EDF) but
we aim to repair these faults within 30 working days.
- Traffic Signals - we aim to fix permanent traffic light faults
within 4 hours where we judge the repair to be urgent. Any other
faults, we aim to repair within 7 working days.
- All other problems - we will put all defects or problems into
our routine works programme and try to fix a number of faults in a
single visit to site.
How does Kent Highway Services manage roadworks?
We want to minimise the delays caused by roadworks whether these
are carried out by Kent Highway Services to repair and improve
roads and pavements or by utility companies such as gas, water or
electric. We will;
- aim to keep you informed of all our planned roadworks by
putting information on our website, informing the media, on signs
or by local letter drops.
- regularly check all roadworks on the highway to ensure that
they remain safe, well signed and properly coned or barriered.
- work to reduce the time that temporary traffic lights, road
closures or diversions are in place.
- work closely with utility companies so they work as quickly as
possible and put our roads and pavements back to the right
standard.
How will Kent Highway Services respond to my letter or
email?
We aim to reply to your letters and emails as quickly as we can
with the information you need, so we will;
- aim to acknowledge all letters within 5 working days and
provide a full response within 10 working days or an explanation as
to why a reply may take longer
- aim to acknowledge the receipt of your email within 24 hours
and provide a full response within 5 working days or an explanation
as to why a reply may take longer.
How will Kent Highway Services respond if I need to work on the
road or pavement?
If you want to carry out work or place anything on the road or
pavement that could cause obstruction or danger, you will need a
permit or licence. The points below set out how long it takes to
deal with an application;
- place a skip - 5 working days
- put up scaffolding or safety fencing (hoarding) - 5 working
days
- store material on the road or pavement - 5 working days
- banners or bunting - 5 working days
- temporary traffic signals - 7 working days for two way traffic
or 21 working days for three or four way traffic.
- build a new vehicle crossing onto your property from the road -
at least 6 weeks
- plant a verge (with flowers, trees etc) - at least 6 weeks
- dig up the road or pavement - at least 6 weeks
- put tables and chairs on the pavement - at least 6 weeks
- put up a temporary sign for an event or new housing development
- at least 6 weeks
- put up signs for a tourist site - at least 6 weeks
- carry out filming on roads or pavements - at least 8 weeks
- close a road for an event - at least 8 weeks
How does Kent Highway Services listen to the public?
It is important that we listen to what you think about the
service we provide. We will;
- every year carry out a satisfaction survey across Kent to find
out what the public think about our highway service and what we can
do to improve it.
- regularly carry out a survey of residents who have lived near
to recent roadworks to find out whether we could improve the way we
do roadworks in the future.
- regularly contact residents who have reported a fault or
problem to gain their views of our highway service and find out
what we can do to improve it.
- Take all comments into account in order to help us improve our
highway service.
How are Kent Highway Services responding to the national
targets to reduce casualties on Kent's roads?
We are working hard to reduce casualties on Kent's roads and we
will;
- regularly review crash records and where we can make
improvements to roads we will prioritise them to improve
safety.
- use road safety training programmes, road safety education in
schools, publicity campaigns and safety cameras as ways to help
reduce casualties on Kent's road
How are Kent Highway Services responding to the problems caused
by congestion on Kent's roads?
Traffic congestion can affect everyone however they travel. It
causes frustration, pollution, costs money and could slow down
investment in Kent. We will;
- investigate congestion 'hot spots' and seek ways to speed
traffic flow and reduce peak journey times across the county
- work closely with schools, colleges and local businesses to
help them develop ways to assist in reducing congestion.
- set up Traffic and Travel Centre to monitor traffic conditions
at key locations, take action where we can and provide up to the
minute travel information to help you plan your
journeys
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