A public consultation has opened on plans by Kent County Council (KCC) to introduce highway changes to the Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother (QEQM) Hospital junction on the A254 Ramsgate Road in Margate.
KCC say the scheme aims to help improve bus journey times and reliability for the Thanet Loop Bus Service.
The Thanet Loop service was identified as a Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) priority project following an analysis of passenger numbers, congestion hotspots and operator feedback. It was prioritised for National Bus Strategy (NBS) funding. The changes aim to generate time savings.
More than three million passenger journeys were made on the Thanet Loop last year with 10,000 passengers on average using the service each weekday. From June 2, the service increased from every 10 minutes to every eight minutes.
The latest scheme, which follows the installation of double yellow lines along Margate Road in Ramsgate, would mean the following changes:
- moving the ‘Lesters’ northbound bus stop 12 metres further north on Ramsgate Road (closer to Nash Court Road) to make it easier for buses to pull in and out of the bus stop
- installing a new bus and taxi lane on Ramsgate Road on the southbound approach to the junction (near Lesters Pub and Restaurant)
- removing the uncontrolled crossing outside Lesters Pub for the new bus and taxi lane
- creating a replacement signal-controlled pedestrian crossing on the northern arm of the QEQM Hospital junction
- creating a new footpath link to help improve access for pedestrians
- creating a new left turn filter phase at the QEQM Hospital signalised junction
- extending the right turning lane on the northbound approach to the traffic signals.
Plans for the scheme show extended double yellow lines outside Lesters.
The scheme is part of the Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP).
A traffic regulation order would result in extending or amending existing waiting restrictions, with double yellow lines, on Ramsgate Road. And introducing a new bus and taxi lane starting outside Lesters Pub.
KCC says the orders are being made to make the road safer to use.
Following the consultation, a report will be compiled summarising the responses.
The feedback will be used to help finalise the scheme design and reported to the Cabinet Member of Highways and Transport for them to decide if the scheme should proceed or not. The report will also be provided to members of the Thanet Joint Transportation Board (JTB).
The consultation is open now and closes at noon on July 29.
Find out more about the plans and have your say at: https://letstalk.kent.gov.uk/thanet-loop-qeqm-junction
