On Thursday (5th October 2017) I met with Cllr Dr Lauren Sullivan the local County Councillor for Northfleet and Gravesend West and representatives from Saint George's Secondary School, the hired architects, Kent County Council, the KCC hired traffic consultants and Shears Green Infant and Junior Schools. We met outside Shears Green Community Centre at 8.30am so that some of the traffic that residents already experience early in the morning due to the school run can be witnessed. The proposed entrance to the school is pictured above just off Westcott Avenue near the Shears Green Community Centre. This entrance is just 300 meters or so from the entrance to Shears Green Infant School.
I am not against there being a new primary school - far from it. In fact I welcome the additional investment in primary school places in Northfleet. However I have raised many issues from local residents about the proposed parking and traffic arrangements in an already congested area. I welcome and am grateful for the fact that both Shears Green Infant and Junior Schools met with us and supported both my and Lauren's approach on this matter.
Twice now the Regulatory Board of Gravesham Borough Council have, while supporting the principle of a new primary school, unanimously (which also means on a cross party basis) voted to reject the proposals due to the proposed traffic, highways and parking issues for Coldharbour not being addressed. The first time GBC sent some helpful suggestions as to what KCC could alter to ensure that this works for the local community and I praise and commend the officers of the Council and Councillors for an excellent document. Instead of this being heeded by KCC however the Borough Council was merely sent a rebuttal note by way of answer. This went to the most recent Regulatory Board on Wednesday 4th October and was voted down again. Alas GBC is merely consulted in this as schools are for KCC to decide.
This is a disgrace and fails to take account the needs of local residents who may have to endure years of building work for this school and then have traffic and highways problems for years to come. The planning committee for this meets on the 8th November at KCC at your views will be represented then.
Residents should be assured that I and Lauren Sullivan have raised this at every level to get a better response for the people of Coldharbour.
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