Thanet Loop Improvement Project – QEQM Hospital Junction

Kent County Council have launched a consultation to seek feedback on proposed changes to the QEQM Hospital junction on A254 Ramsgate Road in Margate. The consultation has launched and is open until 12 noon on 29^th July.

This proposal is part of a wider project to make improvements to the Thanet Loop Bus Service which connects Margate, Ramsgate and Broadstairs and is one of the most utilised bus services in Kent. The project is aiming to reduce bus journey times, increase reliability of the bus service, improve passenger accessibility at bus stops, and improve passenger experience. As part of this project, the QEQM Hospital junction in Margate was identified as an area of the network where changes could provide positive improvements to bus journey times, and proposals have now been developed to improve bus accessibility on the approach to this key junction.

Full information about the proposed changes is available on the consultation webpage (www.kent.gov.uk/thanetloop).  If you would like to provide comments about the proposals then please follow the directions on the consultation webpage.

The proposed scheme for the QEQM Hospital junction and surrounding areas would see 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 and Restaurant to accommodate the new bus and taxi lane
• creating a replacement signal-controlled pedestrian crossing facility 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.

The scheme is part of the Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP).

Traffic Regulation Orders (TRO)

There are two TROs as part of this scheme. The effects of the proposed Orders will be to:

• extend or amend existing waiting restrictions (double yellow lines) on Ramsgate Road.
• introduce a new bus and taxi lane starting outside Lesters Pub and Restaurant on Ramsgate Road.

The orders are being made for the following reasons:

• for avoiding danger to persons or other traffic using the road or any other road for preventing the likelihood of any such danger arising.
• for preserving or improving the amenities of the area through which the road runs.
• for facilitating the passage on the road or any other road of any class of traffic (including pedestrians)
• for preventing damage to the road or to any building on or near the road.

Full details can be found in the Public Notice and Statement of Reason documents.

Have your say

We recommend you read all of the available information before providing feedback using the response form below.

Any person wishing to object or support the TROs before they are made permanent can also do so via the response form.

What happens next?

Following the consultation, a report will be compiled summarising the analysis of the responses. This report will be made available from this webpage.

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).

If the decision is taken to proceed, then the Traffic Regulation Orders will be advertised as ‘Made Orders’. These will be publicised via a notice in the local newspaper and on this webpage.