KCC Councillors told the Tonbridge Forum on 7 September that they had failed to be convinced by plans to introduce two lanes for cyclists to use on the west side of Quarry Hill against the advice of Tonbridge Bicycle Users Group and Green Party Councillors.

 

Cllr Michael Payne, who is KCC Member for Tonbridge Division and also Cabinet Member for Transport, revealed that he has misgivings about this scheme which begs the question "who is in charge at KCC?".

 

We support cycling infrastructure but we are pragmatic and realise that it needs to avoid bringing gridlock to our streets especially to a stretch of road where existing junctions are already at or near capacity.

 

This scheme is costly and we urged KCC to create an off-road alternative in the east side of Quarry Hill Road instead. Now we risk wasting the opportunity to deliver any improvement for cyclists and failed schemes do not encourage further investment.

 

We are pleased that KCC have acknowledged how problematic this could be and have committed to remedy the situation rather than let it drag on if necessary but it has to start listening.

 

We asked for a working group of Tonbridge TMBC and KCC Councillors to come together to take an holistic approach to Tonbridge's traffic system which was rejected. The Joint Transport Board covers the entire Borough and we need to prevent these ill-conceived schemes at the outset if we are to prevent them undermining the case for future active travel infrastructure.

 

Cllr Payne told us the Board was adequate in representing our town, the board has only one Tonbridge Borough Councillor out of 13 members.

 

Tonbridge deserves better.