Thanet Loop Improvement Project - QEQM Hospital Junction

Update October 2024

Thank you to everyone who took part in this consultation.

We have reviewed the feedback from the consultation and produced a report for the Thanet Joint Transportation Board (JTB). This report recommended the implementation of the proposed Traffic Regulation Orders (double yellow lining parking restrictions) and planned changes to the QEQM junction as set out in the recent consultation.

The JTB considered the report during a public meeting held on 12 September 2024 and offered its endorsement to the recommendations. You can view the minutes of the meeting on the Thanet JTB website – this is item 6 in the printed draft minutes.

Following the JTB meeting, the KCC Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport made the decision to approve the implementation of the scheme, therefore it will now progress to construction.

To minimise the impact of construction, the scheme will be delivered in two phases. The first phase of works will commence on 21 October 2024 and will take up to two weeks. The second phase of works will commence on 6 January 2025 and is estimated to be completed by mid-March 2025.

Splitting the construction into two phases, enables some of it to take place under the already planned road closure on Ramsgate Road that is being promoted and managed by Southern Water Services (SWS) as part of their sewer refurbishment programme. This collaborative approach between KCC and SWS reduces the amount of time that traffic will be disrupted when constructing this scheme.

Phase 1 works (commencing 21 October under the SWS closure) will include:

• moving the 'Lesters' northbound bus stop 12 metres further north on Ramsgate Road (closer to Nash Court Road), including relocation of bus clearway markings and provision of a new raised kerb to aid passenger access.
• removal of the uncontrolled pedestrian crossing outside Lesters Pub and Restaurant and provision of new traffic island approximately 14 metres south opposite property 169.
• installation of new double yellow lining outside properties 169 to 177 Ramsgate Road and outside Lesters Pub and Restaurant in advance of Traffic Regulation Orders being formally completed in 2025.
• installation of two new dropped kerbs and tactile paving at the junction with Ramsgate Road (service road).
• localised footway resurfacing outside properties 165, 167, 175,177 and 179 Ramsgate Road.

Phase 2 works (commencing 6 January 2025) will include:

• installation of a new bus and taxi lane on Ramsgate Road on the southbound approach to the junction (near Lesters Pub and Restaurant).
• replacement of signal equipment at QEQM Hospital junction and the introduction of a new left turn filter phase for traffic leaving the hospital grounds and new pedestrian crossing facility on the northern arm.
• extension to the right turn lane on the northbound approach to the QEQM Hospital junction, including the associated relocation of the Pilgrims Hospice bus stop 77 metres further south and an extension to the existing double yellow lining.
• a new footpath link to help improve access for pedestrians between Ramsgate Road (service road), near St Andrews Close, and the southern crossing point at the new pedestrian crossing.
• resurfacing of the road at the junction and on each approach.

To manage traffic and safeguard the workforce during construction, the majority of the above works will be undertaken using temporary traffic signals with associated signing, guardrail and traffic cones. Some construction activities may be undertaken at night to minimise traffic impact including possible night time road closures however these will be avoided where possible. Reasonable measures will be taken to manage the impact of these works to traffic flows during the construction. Access will be maintained to the QEQM Hospital at all times.

Before any construction takes place, we will contact local stakeholders to provide details about when the works will start and how they will be carried out.

Please note: construction timescales and traffic management methods may be subject to review prior to delivery.

Update September 2024

Thank you to everyone who took part in this consultation. The Consultation Report is now available from the 'Documents' section on this page. The report, which includes KCC's response to key themes, will be presented to Thanet's Joint Transportation Board (JTB) on 12 September.

Details of the decision will be published on this webpage.

Kent County Council (KCC) is proposing to introduce highway improvements to the Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother (QEQM) Hospital junction on the A254 Ramsgate Road in Margate. This scheme aims to help improve bus journey times and reliability for the Thanet Loop Bus Service.

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.