Agenda item

Hilary Smith, Economic Development Manger, TWBC, introduced the report which included the following comments:

·         The 21st Century Way was an existing cycle route which linked: the key employment area of North Farm; new housing at Knights Wood; High Brooms Station; and Tunbridge Wells Town Centre.

·         The route was in need of upgrading and completion and was a key component of the Cycling Strategy.

·         Significant amounts of section 106 funding had been obtained to improve facilities for both cyclists and pedestrians.

·         A comprehensive consultation on the proposals had been held at the end of 2017 with 82 per cent of respondents either supporting or strongly supporting the proposals.

·         Since the publication of the report, the statutory consultation on 20mph schemes around Goods Station Road and Clifton Road had completed and no objections had been received.

·         Work was ongoing to improve the proposals further in response to encouraging suggestions made during the consultation.

·         Delivery was expected to start in Spring 2019.

Paul Mason, for Tunbridge Wells Bicycle User Group (TWBUG), had registered to speak and welcomed the proposals. In additional to the express support of local residents, a recent online poll suggested that 80 per cent of respondents would cycle if it was safe to do so which demonstrated latent demand for improved infrastructure. TWBUG had identified several ‘quick wins’ and would be happy to work with officers to make best use of the route.

The discussion included consideration of the following matters:

·         Wide support from members and appreciation for the work in preparing the proposals.

·         Inclusion of 20mph as part of the scheme was welcome.

·         The route’s proximity and additional cycle parking at High Brooms Station could help alleviate some of the commuter parking.

·         The route would be usable all-year-round due to new lighting for sections of the route through Home Farm Lane and Grosvenor and Hilbert Park.

·         Designers would work with Parks teams to ensure the surface of the route through the Park would be suitable for the variety of users and appropriate for the park setting.

·         Full segregation was not proposed for the Park as the paths were wide enough and already featured tactile surfacing to distinguish shared spaces.

·         20mph zones would be funded through section 106 money secured for pedestrian and cycling improvements. There was no opportunity for on-road segregation.

·         Speed surveys identified that average speeds were already low enough to justify the 20mph restrictions where off-road provision was not possible.

·         20mph zones would be identified by signs only but conditions would be monitored and further measures considered if necessary.

·         The strong local support for the proposals would suggest that the speed limits would be respected.

·         The KCC Local Transport Plan budget for the 20mph Public Health Initiative provided around £100k across the County for schemes where existing average speeds were below 24 mph. Kent Police had advised they would not enforce 20mph limits where there were no traffic calming measures so zones had to be self-enforcing.

RESOLVED – That the Board support the project to be delivered in 2018/19.