QED Transport Group Meeting March 10 1999

Minutes of the Meeting of the QED Transport Group, 10 March 1999

Present: Julie Morton, Richard Wiltshire, Cyril Miller, Phil Kessel

Apologies: Alan Cremer, Mike Pratt

There were no matters arising from the previous minutes.

Ideas were discussed as to the way in which to improve membership and interest in transport issues. Richard Wiltshire suggested holding a meeting in relation to public transport issues as a result of the opening of Bluewater. This was discussed at length, and although Phil Kessel advised that a forum established by Bluewater with major employers and public transport providers had already been established, that it would be advantageous to extend that meeting into an open public meeting to discuss topics of interest. It was agreed that the following groups be invited to attend such a meeting:

London Central Bus Services
Stagecoach Bus Services
Arriva Bus Services
British Rail
Representatives from the Taxi drivers' Association
Bluewater
Transport Planning from Kent County Council
Transport Planning from Dartford Borough Council
A representative from local schools
Public transport users
Cyclists and cyclist groups
Major employers
Dartford Chamber of Commerce
Appropriate Members of Dartford Borough Council

It was also agreed that the aim of the meeting would be to discuss issues in relation to making public transport an attractive viable alternative to the use of the car. Issues such as fares, coordinated timetables, safety, cleanliness and reliability should be discussed. A venue was suggested, i.e. the meeting hall at Glaxo Wellcome which has been used for the Dartford Borough Forum. It was proposed that the meeting should initially take place on the 28 April providing all parties were agreeable to this. Richard Wiltshire suggested that a transport academic from the University of Greenwich could be invited to Chair the meeting and that some form of light refreshment could be offered.

Phil Kessel informed the group that we would arrange for a draft letter of invitation to be drawn up and circulated to the members of the group prior to issuing this to interested parties.

The meeting finished at 21.05hrs.

UPDATE:

Phil Kessel has discussed the issue of the proposed public meeting with Rob hardy (Deputy Director of Environment and Leisure) and Rob Scott (Deputy Director of Planning and Development). There do not appear to be any obstacles to arranging such a meeting. Alan Cremer will draft a letter of invitation for Julie Morton to sign. A date for the meeting has been set by Julie and Phil for 25 May during the evening.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE WILL BE NO MEETING OF THE TRANSPORT GROUP ON 28 APRIL

A NEW DATE WILL BE ARRANGED PRIOR TO THE PUBLIC MEETING

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