1.Apologies for Absence: Peter Defty, Ellen Bull, Peggy Simmons, Muriel Krief, Jean Armour, Sylvia Saville, Audrey Norman, Pauline Witherall.

2. Those Present: Keith Boyce, Pat Martin (Chairperson), Rosa Halls, Mike Pratt.

3. Notes of the previous meeting: Accepted.

4. Matters Arising:

Keary Road roundabout - Mike Pratt reported that rather draft a letter from the Group he had spoken to officers in the Highways Section at Dartford BC about the design of the roundabout. The distance that the Give Way lines are set back from the centre of the circle are dictated by the carriageway width. The intention of setting the lines back are to create a "circulation space" on the roundabout. The lines are to bring vehicle to a stop and then it can slowly be moved forward until the driver is able to see to pull out. After looking at drawings of the scheme the sight lines were considered good and in practice they do appear to work satisfactorily. Other Group members agreed that this was the case and therefore this matter will not be pursued further.

Newsletter - This will be placed on hold at present whilst interest in the group is regenerated. The traffic circulation and off street parking issues will be the subject of an article or articles in the next newsletter specifically seeking peoples views.

Swan Valley School - The visit to the school will be arranged after the next meeting when there will be a better idea of the number of people who wish to go.

5. Abandoned Cars:

This was a subject that had been discussed at a previous meeting. Problems are occurring throughout the community with cars being abandoned on highways, in rear alleyways and on pockets of land. Cllr Munn had recently been in contact with DBC about the car abandoned in St Paulís Close. Whilst various DBC Sections are attempting to deal with the issue, i.e. Highways if on the highway, Darthomes if on housing land, this appears to be a growing problem. One factor is to do with the phasing out of leaded petrol and the inability of some engines to operate on Lead Replacement Petrol without the engines sustaining damage and another factor is cheap iron being produced by Russia that is affecting the world market. Where previously there was a value in scrap cars they are now a financial liability and breakers are charging to dispose of them. Unscrupulous people are therefore abandoning them rather than paying to have them taken away. It was recognised that this is a national problem and therefore may need to be addressed as such. It was agreed that a letter be sent to DBC asking that a resolution to the problem be investigated.

6. Future Work Programme:

This item was deferred until the next meeting. It was agreed that to stimulate interest the minutes of the meeting are sent out after this meeting but the Agenda for the next meeting is sent out 7-14 days before the next meeting to act as a reminder.

7. Any Other Business:

None Raised.

8. Date and Time and Place of Next Meeting:

VENUE: The OastHouse, St Paul's Close, Swanscombe.

TIME: It was subsequently decided to change the start time of the meeting to see if this would encourage people to attend. Please note the new start time of 6.00pm, which will be tried for the next few meetings.

DATES: 20 March 2000, 15 May 2000 and 17 July 2000

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