Observations

Declares that the proposals to route Dover Fastrack along Pencester Road and Maison Dieu Roads in Dover will pose a significant risk to pedestrian safety, increase traffic congestion and jeopardise the invaluable cultural and heritage contributions of St Paul’s Catholic Church to the area of Dover.

The petitioners therefore request the House of Commons urge the Government to call on Dover District Council and Kent County Council to re-think the planned Pencester Road Fastrack Proposals.

And the petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Mrs Natalie Elphicke , Official Report, 11 December 2023; Vol. 742, c. 715.]

[P002887]

The Government national bus strategy asked local transport authorities to implement bus priority measures to make services faster, more reliable, and more attractive to passengers. However, it is vital that they are designed to help rather than hinder traffic.

It is the responsibility of Kent County Council, as the relevant highway authority and local transport authority, to make decisions about the implementation of bus priority measures in East Kent, including in Dover and the surrounding districts. However, the design of bus infrastructure improvements should be informed by the experience of local people and consulted on with a range of passengers and residents.

If the petitioners feel that the proposal will increase congestion and disadvantage their group including the disabled, that is for KCC to consider.

Declares that every pupil at Brent Primary School wants to feel safe when travelling to and from school and near local roads; further that the pupils would like the roads surrounding the school to be 20 mph instead of 30 mph and free from speeding traffic; further that this is an important issue to pupils as road crashes have had devastating effects on families and communities, including, sadly, a pupil of the school who lost her life due to a speeding, unsafe driver; and further notes that if road safety is improved, pupils will be more likely to walk and cycle to places and therefore live healthier lifestyles.

The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urge the Government to take immediate action to change the speed limit surrounding Brent Primary school to 20mph, and introduce other speed reduction measures including speed cameras, speed bumps, posters and police checks so that the speed limit is adhered to.—[Presented by Gareth Johnson, Official Report, 6 February 2024; Vol. 745, c. 219.]

[P002901]

I was very sorry indeed to hear of the tragic death of a pupil of Brent Primary School due to a speeding, unsafe driver, and extend condolences to the family and the school.