CORE GROUP Members are representatives of the following Parish Councils and Associations (in alphabetical order):-
• Adisham Parish Council
• Ash Parish Council
• Bekesbourne with Patrixbourne Parish Council
• Ickham & Well Parish Council (Bramling)
• Littlebourne Parish Council
• Littlebourne & Stodmarsh Roads Community Association (LSRCA)
• Preston Parish Council
• Staple Parish Council (Shatterling)
• Wickhambreaux Parish Council
• Wingham Parish Council

FULL GROUP In addition to Core Group members, the Full Group members include:-
• District Councillor for Little Stour & Adisham Ward, Canterbury, currently Cllr Lee Castle
• District Councillor for Little Stour & Ashstone Ward, Dover, currently Cllr Martin Porter
• Kent County Councillor for Canterbury City South, currently Cllr Mel Dawkins
• Kent County Councillor for Canterbury South, currently Cllr Mike Sole
• Kent County Councillor for Sandwich, currently Cllr Sue Chandler
• MP for Canterbury/Whitstable, currently Rosie Duffield
• MP for Herne Bay & Sandwich, currently Roger Gale (membership tbc)

MEETINGS are held every other month in January, March, May, July, September and November with Full Group Members attending every other meeting in January, May and September only. These are not public meetings. Other Councillors and/or interested parties are invited to attend according to the agenda.

A257 PLAN
The Group produced and launched the ‘A257 Plan’ in 2018 which documents issues surrounding congestion, accidents and pedestrians, providing fact-based information and proposals for improvements on the road to make it safer for all users.

LATEST UPDATES AND INFORMATION
MEETING UPDATE: Saturday 3 August 2024 CORE GROUP MEETING
Under Matters Arising it was noted that letters of objection had been sent on behalf of the Group regarding two planning applications: 1. The Hill, Littlebourne (23/00484); and 2. Gobery Hill, Wingham (24/00580).  A letter had also been sent to Cllr Baker regarding the planned 3 month road closure of the A257 at Littlebourne Road and it was noted that the licence for this closure had since been revoked and  planned works postponed. It was agreed to write to KCC Highways to request that advance warning is given should future works require a full road closure here, with clear arrangements made for public transport.
The Group discussed A257 Road Safety, noting three recent road collision incidents in Shatterling, Bramling and Wingham. It was agreed to write to KCC Highways Member, Cllr Baker, once again regarding Shatterling and the Roman Road. The Group also noted KCC's Local Transport Plan (LTP) and it was agreed members would ensure their respective Groups/Councils would discuss this and any response fed back into a response by the Traffic Group. This review might also feed into a revised A257 Plan to be written in due course.  Unclear 'Road Closed' signs was raised again, noting signs for planned works were not indicating where the closure is in place. This will be raised again with County Councillors at the next Full Group meeting.
Updates from Group and Village representatives were received from Ash, Bramling, Littlebourne, LSRCA, Shatterling,  Wickhambreaux and Wingham:-  Ash sent an update email received after the meeting. They noted their top priority is to reduce the bypass speed limit to 50mph and they've requested speed enforcement on the road. Ash PC have submitted an objection to the application for a log store on the A257. Ash Speedwatch is active and willing to coordinate sessions with other parishes.  KCC have conducted speed surveys in the village, results awaited, and these will help inform the PC where to focus resources. Bramling noted their meeting with KCC on their HIP had secured the promise of a site meeting in August. Littlebourne noted the Traffic Regulation Order for their proposed 20mph limits was out.  Shatterling noted the incident on 16 July involving two vehicles and it was agreed to try and find out the cause. LSRCA sent an email update noting recent traffic incidents, the appointment of Craig Mackinlay to the House of Lords, their gratitute to County Councillors for the postponement of the Littlebourne Rd closure, and Cllr Baker's attendance at a private traffic meeting in Fordwich. Wickhambreaux noted tankering had now stopped but a request to address access issues will be made for next time.  Wingham noted a tankering incident in Wingham following an issue with valves at the pumping station. A successful site meeting was held with KCC to discuss the use of Speed Indicator Devices in the 20mph zone.
Next Meeting Date: Saturday 21 September for the Full Traffic Group (including District & County Councillors and MPs).

KCC'S VISION ZERO ROAD SAFETY STRATEGY Please visit the KCC VISION ZERO page to find out more.  An excerpt from the KCC page reads as follows:- There are on average just over 45 deaths on Kent’s roads each year. Kent County Council (KCC) is setting the target of zero, or as close as possible, fatalities and life changing injuries by 2050 with a 50% reduction by 2030 and a target of no more than 39 traffic fatalities by 2026. Vision Zero is not just about focussing on the date we achieve zero, but the recognition that deaths on the road are not an acceptable price to pay for mobility.  We will follow the Safe System Approach which understands that people make mistakes and aims to ensure these mistakes do not cause a death or a life-changing injury.

CONTACT THE A257 TRAFFIC GROUP
The Group Administrator is Kerry Coltham, the Wingham Parish Council Clerk. Please use the CONTACT PAGE for your enquiry