"Anger" Over Traffic Scheme

A leading Labour Borough Councillor has said a Liberal Democrat council initiative aimed at moving traffic off residential streets in Tunbridge Wells "won't work".

The consultation on the Tunbridge Wells Council initiative called “Better Streets” has until Monday night before public feedback closes.

The council says the aim is to make the St John’s and St James’ areas safter for walking and cycling and more pleasant to live in.

But some residents say that blocking off certain routes to cars - like Powder Mill Lane and Queen's Road - will worsen congestion on the main roads. Seven routes could be blocked off to through traffic.

Now, Labour Borough Councillor for High Brooms, Dianne Hill (pictured below) has told West Kent Radio that she thinks there is public anger about the ideas.

Dianne Hill told us she was concerned that drivers would be forced onto main roads that were already gridlocked at peak times. She said: "They are making life very difficult for a lot of people. It doesn't work. I think a lot of people are quite angry."

She said she went to three hours of the public consultations and she didn't hear any residents in favour of the scheme. She also fears that shops will close if people are deterred from shopping in Tunbridge Wells by even bigger traffic delays.

You can listen to Cllr Dianne Hill's full interview with West Kent Radio's Brian Johnson here:

An online consultation is running until Monday 9^th December.

The council has 2 concept designs for both the areas of St John's and St James'.

Planned changes include new footway and lighting improvements on Newlands Road, and a lorry ban on roads such as Ferndale.

Resident comments online have included the fact that the changes could increase traffic onto Pembury Road and neighbouring areas, the reduction of parking opportunities on certain roads such as King George V Hill, and the safety concern of reinstating the right turn from Sandrock Road onto Pembury Road.

Other concerns have been raised about the restrictions on certain roads, such as Powder Mill Lane, which means only buses and authorised vehicles would be allowed onto those roads.

The council has said that no decision has been made and that they will listen to all feedback.

The project has been running since Summer 2023 with £50,000 granted from Active Travel England.

Various consultations and engagements have taken place with initial suggestions for changes, including poorly maintained pavements, safety concerns at junctions, and speeding vehicles.

The council declined an invitation to give an interview to West Kent Radio to explain the plans.

You can take part in the consultation by clicking the link.