Wednesday May 9 | 2018
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Times OF TONBRIDGE
INSIDE CARING COMMUNITY
Full programme of events for Dementia Action Week Page 2
ACT OF DEDICATION
Blue plaque for town’s movie icon Harry Andrews Page 2
SHORT SHARP SHOCK: Children are taught how to use a pike during the two-day re-enactment of the Civil War’s Battle of Tonbridge last weekend. Photo: Shilling Snaps
The end of High Street congestion? By Andy Tong andy@timesoftonbridge.co.uk RESIDENTS have voiced their concern about the lay-out of the High Street following the radical redesign. Criticism centred on the location of a bus stop outside Caffe Nero, which causes heavy congestion for traffic. This was the main finding of a public consultation carried out by Kent County Council [KCC] in February. While the buses stop in the main carriageway, there is also a layby which is used as a loading bay for deliveries. The issue has been a longstanding cause of grievance ever since the project was completed in 2016. Finally action may be taken to address it. The redesign saw the introduction of
wider pavements as well as a cycle lane, which in turn made the road narrower. It cost £2.62million, funded by the South East Local Enterprise Partnership, and caused major disruption with the High Street closed to traffic for 38
‘Usually I am told it would cost too much. After the consultation they’ve changed their tune’ weeks from July 2015 to May 2016. After almost two years of frustration Tom Tugendhat, MP for Tonbridge & Malling, has now been told by KCC that the bus stop could be moved. He said: “I’m sure many comments will touch on the traffic jams caused
when buses stop outside Caffe Nero. “Many of us wonder why the stop is there and not in the loading bay, or removed altogether. I’ve written to KCC many, many times now to ask why this isn’t the case. “Usually, I am told that the pavements would need to be higher, and it would not be possible or would cost too much. After the consultation they’ve changed their tune.” He received a reply from Mike Whiting, KCC’s Cabinet Member for Planning, Highways, Transport and Waste, stating County Hall is ‘very aware of the concerns being raised regularly by businesses and users of the High Street’. “We are currently investigating ways to reduce the congestion. It may well be that the layby is converted for bus use.” But he warned: “This is by no means
straightforward as often there are several buses arriving at a time and so the available space is limited.” Mr Tugendhat added: “Although not yet a definite plan, it seems KCC finally acknowledge something needs to be done to ensure traffic flows more smoothly. “I will continue to raise this with them to ensure that they will look again at how the High Street works for everyone – including cars.” Jamie Watson, Senior Schemes Manager at County Hall, revealed the results of the survey at a meeting of the Tonbridge Forum. He said the scheme was supposed to provide a more attractive environment
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ASPARAGUS TIPS
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HOT COMPETITION
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