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

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 18 January FULL GROUP MEETING
The Group discussed a possible addendum to the A257 Plan, but AGREED instead to produce a summary of the main issues for the stretch from Gobery Hill to the Ash/Sandwich roundabout and approve a document at the March meeting to send to Cllr Neil Baker at KCC.  It was also noted that contact with Woodnesborough Parish Council should be made.
No MPs were present at this meeting and it was AGREED to write to both requesting support for a change in primary legislation to improve the situation with Utility company roadworks.
Updates from County Councillors included:-
Cllr Chandler: the KCC Highways maintenance contract is due for renewal with the successful tender to be decided this July ready to start in Spring 2026. The Kent Safer Road Users Team was presented with a Prince Michael International Road Safety Award recognising outstanding achievement and innovation for their work with younger drivers and passengers.
Cllr Sole: The Grove Ferry bridge is to have a new weight restriction (7.5T) this year before being fully replaced in 2026.
Updates from Group and Village representatives were received from Ash, Bramling, Littlebourne, LSRCA, Shatterling,  Wickhambreaux and Wingham:-  Ash noted their new chairman, Cllr Tanner. They will be holding a community engagement session in April to discuss their HIP priorities. They noted two traffic incidents. Bramling noted a forthcoming meeting with their KCC Engagement officer. Littlebourne noted that KCC will work with them in the next financial year, with support from KCC member funds, to address the balance to be paid on the 20mph scheme.  Shatterling noted their HIP meeting and a new interim clerk. LSRCA  noted the number of incidents close to the Stodmarsh Road junction and had been told by Police they would be carrying out a day of action. Wickhambreaux noted various closures on the Grove to Littlebourne route over the last few months. Frustration was noted at not being able to get hold of local officers directly and Cllr Chandler explained why this was the case.  Wingham noted their annual HIP review was due on 4 February.  There will be a High Street closure in March.
Next Meeting Date: Saturday 15 March 2025 for the Core Traffic Group.

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