UPDATE - Commencement of Gas Main Replacement Works on the A2 from Oak Lane to Key Street

Works to replace 4.46km of 80 year-old iron gas main along the A2, between Oak Lane and Key Street Roundabout have been rescheduled to begin this month. The gas main currently serves 40,000 households, and the first of 11 phases of 42 weeks of works to replace it will now begin on Monday 30th September 2019, near the junctions with Oak Lane and Spade Lane.

Having reviewed the risk to the current gas supply, contractor SGN Gas is concerned that there is a high likelihood that emergency works on the A2 will be required when higher demand increases the pressure within the existing main, probably within the next few weeks. The works were originally planned to begin on Monday 16th September.

SGN Gas do not intend fully closing the A2 this time but will put in place temporary traffic lights where necessary.

Following KCC Highways latest discussions with SGN Gas, Cllr Mike Whiting has now received the advice below from Director of Highways, Simon Jones. Previously, KCC advice was that the works would be delayed until 2020, however, having sought a number of important assurances from SGN, KCC has agreed to let the works commence at the end of this month, providing this time SGN Gas put into place some very clear red lines in respect of traffic management, including a restriction and official diversion route preventing HGVs from passing through Newington while the works are being carried out. Cllr Whiting will be seeking assurances from KCC, SGN Gas and Kent Police that HGV restrictions will be enforced. In addition restrictions and signage will be placed on neighbouring roads which have been identified as unsuitable for HGVs.

“Dear Cllr Whiting,

The A2 gas works planned to commence on 16 September were delayed until next year in order to provided sufficient time for all parties to carefully plan local traffic management and to address a number of concerns raised since the emergency works were carried out during the summer.

SGN have since reviewed the risk to the current gas supply and are concerned that there is a high likelihood that emergency works will occur along this stretch of gas main when the demand increases the pressure within the existing main on the A2 probably in the next few weeks.

In carefully considering the request from SGN for the works to commence on 30 September and recognising that an emergency response is likely to be highly impactive, KCC has agreed a number of key measures which must be put in place to reduce the impact on the local communities.

SGN will ensure that there is an HGV restriction on the A2 through a traffic regulation order in place for the total of the 42-week duration of the works. Local access for HGV deliveries will be managed by a local permit scheme and the details are currently being considered. A HGV diversion using the M2 will be in place and we will seek support from Kent Police and Highways England to support compliance of the HGV restriction and observance of the official diversion route and will also consider any other measures which may be appropriate.

We will place restrictions on local roads which have been identified as wholly unsuitable for any displaced traffic during the works and will sign roads which are not suitable for HGV access with appropriate signage should any HGVs access the local network in breach of the restriction. Width/weight restrictions will be placed as necessary on minor roads north of the A2, but these will need to allow access to properties/businesses on these roads.

Road closures will be considered as a last resort but consultation with affected residents/businesses on this will take place if these are thought to be required.

SGN have escalated their communications plan and will ensure close communication with key stakeholders and community points of contact including businesses. SGN will review their works progress weekly and ensure that communities are kept up to date with the progress of the works.

These measures should allow SGN to commence on phase 1 of their project to address the main at the Medway end up to the junction with Oak Lane/Spade Lane, Upchurch. Details of the diversion route will be released shortly.

KCC and SGN have increased resources to look at the traffic management plan for the remainder of the works and detailed plans will be communicated to affected communities including any identified options for local feedback.

Simon Jones

Director of Highways, KCC”

Upchurch Matters

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Dog Walking in The Paddock

Following concerns raised with Upchurch Parish Council, new signage has now been installed advising dog walkers to keep their pets on a short lead at all times whilst in the Paddock and to clean up after them.

Thank you for your cooperation and help to keep our public spaces clean and safe or all residents and children to enjoy.

Cllr Tyrone Ripley

Chairman - Upchurch Parish Council
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New Survey - Have Your Say on How NHS Health Services are Commissioned in Kent and Medway

What do you think about a single clinical commissioning group for Kent and Medway?

The NHS in Kent and Medway is seeking your views on how health services are commissioned (planned and purchased).

The NHS, social care and public health organisations in Kent and Medway are already working together.

Their aim is to improve services and health and care outcomes through better joint working, shared priorities and more coordination between health and social care. To do this, they need to change the way they organise themselves.

Building on the feedback from that survey, they’d now like to find out your views about one of the key changes - the proposal to create a single clinical commissioning group (CCG) for Kent and Medway.

Although they and the other CCGs have much to be proud of over the last six years, the GPs who chair the CCGs, including the clinical chair, now believe the CCGs should merge to form a new single clinical commissioning group for Kent and Medway, which would also be led by GPs.

At the moment, there are 8 CCGs across Kent and Medway, responsible for planning and spending the health budget to meet local needs. This means there can sometimes be different services in different areas. This can be a good thing if people in areas need different things, but it can also create inequality in care and impact on people’s health and life expectancy.

Merging the existing groups to set up a single Kent and Medway CCG, led by GPs, would:

• Provide a ‘bird’s eye view’ of health priorities for people across Kent and Medway so that the NHS has a detailed understanding of local health needs and can plan effectively for everyone.

• Identify where challenging health problems can be shared and tackled.

• Allow the consistent commissioning of some services - such as cancer, mental health, children’s services and prevention - across Kent and Medway.

• Focus on the health, wellbeing and care needs of the whole population.

• Reduce management and administration costs across Kent and Medway.

You can read more about how health and care services are planning to work more closely together as part of a Kent and Medway integrated care system on the system transformation page of the Kent and Medway website.

The NHS wants to hear what you think about their plans to merge these 8 groups into one clinical commissioning group for Kent and Medway.

Please complete the survey here >> http://bit.ly/2QeL5Ft

The survey is open until Monday 23rd September 2019. Please share it with your friends, colleagues and family as your views are important.

Upchurch Matters

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The Autism Apprentice CIC

The Autism Apprentice CIC is a community interest company offering support and services to families and employers in a number of ways.

Parents and carers can self-refer to the service or attend an open clinic. Please contact them for dates and times nearest you. They are currently in the process of organising Special Educational Needs 'information days'.

Follow The Autism Apprentice CIC on Facebook: www.facebook.com/autismapprentice

On Twitter at: www.twitter.com/autism_cic

Email: info@autismapprentice.co.uk

Website: www.autismapprentice.co.uk (Currently under development)

Cllr Alan Horton on behalf of Sarah and Donna at The Autism Apprentice CIC

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Co-op - Upchurch

We have received a lot of messages asking us when the Co-op - Upchurch is due to reopen, residents will be pleased to finally receive this update posted by KCC Cllr Mike Whiting from Wayne McNally, Estates Manager at the Co-op.

“I got the following reply from the Coop in response to enquiries I made on residents' behalf about the Coop in Upchurch, following the fire earlier in the year.

It suggests things could reopen during November.”

“Dear Mr Whiting,

I write with reference to your email addressed to my colleague Russ Brady.

According to the project manager, the works to repair the fire damage to the above are currently anticipated to start in early-mid October with an estimated 4 week works programme. If I receive any additional updates on this, I will of course contact you.

Regards.

Wayne McNally

Estates Manager, Coop”

Upchurch Matters

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Temporary Road Closure - A249 Kingsferry Bridge

Kent County Council has made an order to temporarily prohibit through traffic on A249 Kingsferry Bridge, Queenborough for up to 1 day between the hours of 08:00 and 18:00 on Sunday 20th October 2019.

The road will be closed 20 metres on both sides of the rail bridge, to the extent indicated by signs and barriers on site.

The alternative route for any through traffic is via Sheppey Way, A2500, A249 Sheppey Crossing and vice versa.

The closure is required for the safety of the public and workforce while examination works are undertaken by Network Rail.

Access for emergency service vehicles and pedestrians will be maintained at all times during the closure.

For details of roadworks, see: www.roadworks.org

Kent County Council - Highways, Transportation & Waste

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