The Joint Transportation Board met on Monday 13 July 2026 to discuss a range of transport-related issues, including road safety on Cornford Lane, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, parking restrictions, and active travel initiatives. Key decisions included recommending against the implementation of new parking restrictions on York Road and Dudley Road due to insufficient public consultation response.

Cornford Lane Safety Concerns

Residents and campaigners voiced significant concerns regarding safety on Cornford Lane, advocating for a 20mph speed limit and a prohibition of motor vehicles except for access. Tom McKenzie, speaking on behalf of residents, highlighted the lane's narrowness, blind bends, and lack of space for pedestrians, cyclists, and horse riders, stating that a 30mph limit would still permit dangerous speeds. He cited a 2019 Kent County Council survey showing a high proportion of vehicles exceeding 25mph. Rosanna Chinery, a resident, emphasised that the proposed 30mph limit did not address the issues of vehicle size and volume, which contributed to gridlock. Gary Palmer stressed that after 30 years of campaigning, residents would continue their efforts until significant improvements were made, noting that Kent County Council had refused to meet with them. David Edmunds shared his lived experience, describing instances of near-misses with speeding vehicles, exacerbated gridlock due to sat-nav diversions, and a lack of safe pavement access, which he contrasted with the rosy picture presented by Kent County Council Highways.

Julian Cook, Highways Manager for Kent County Council, presented the Highway Works Programme report. He explained that while a surface treatment was planned for Maidstone Road in Brenchley, the road condition necessitated a full resurfacing, which would require capital bids and had no set completion date. He also clarified a typo regarding Rusthall Road in Paddock Wood.

In response to the concerns, Kent County Council (KCC) officers stated that while they supported 20mph speed limits in appropriate locations, such as outside schools and in residential areas with high volumes of vulnerable road users, Cornford Lane was not deemed suitable for a 20mph limit based on Department for Transport guidance. They noted that a 30mph limit was considered more appropriate and that the proposed signage and lining measures, including SLOW road markings and enhanced warning signs, would be implemented alongside the 30mph limit if it proceeded. KCC also offered to assist with setting up a community speed watch initiative. Regarding the proposal to restrict access to Cornford Lane, officers indicated that this would likely be unpopular with other road users and would require ongoing enforcement, potentially impacting the Tunbridge Wells Local Plan.

Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure

An update on the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) project and other electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure was presented, though KCC officers were unavailable to attend. Questions were noted and forwarded for comment, including how sites would be prioritised, whether rural areas would receive a fair share of charging points, and the proposed charging tariffs and protections against pricing that penalises residents without driveways. KCC had not provided a response at the time of the meeting.

Parking Consultation for York Road and Dudley Road

Nick May, Parking Manager, presented the results of a parking consultation for York Road and Dudley Road in Royal Tunbridge Wells. An informal consultation in February 2025 had proposed extending permit holder-only restrictions to 3pm-8pm and introducing an additional one-hour restriction from 8am-9am. While the board had recommended progressing to formal consultation, a 25% response rate was required for implementation. The formal consultation, which ran for 21 days from February 2026, received only four responses, all supporting the proposals. Due to the very low response rate, the report recommended against implementing the proposed changes. Councillor Rob Wormington, as Portfolio Holder for Transport and Sustainability, supported this recommendation, stating that a high level of public engagement was necessary to protect public money and ensure a consistent approach. Councillor Mark Munday noted that four responses were exceptionally low for a consultation, and Councillor Martin Brice shared his experience of low response rates to similar consultations. The Board resolved to note the consultation results and recommend against implementing the proposed changes due to the limited response.

Active Travel Update

Chloe Rutland, Senior Sustainable Transport Officer, provided an update on active travel projects. Construction on the first phase of the Langton Green to Rusthall Commons active travel route, centred around Rusthall High Street, was due to begin later in the year, with further details on the construction programme and start date expected after a meeting on 22 July. Designs for the westernmost and easternmost sections of the route were being progressed, with further public engagement scheduled for early September.

The council had secured funding for new secure bike storage hangars, with two to be installed in Royal Tunbridge Wells town centre by the end of July, and funding for another in Paddock Wood. Further funding from Active Travel England would support design and engagement on other projects, including Safer Routes to School in St John's and St James Wards, the Crosstown route, a route between Tunbridge Wells Station and Hawkenbury Village, and walking routes around Southborough and High Brooms. Funding had also been earmarked for design improvements along the A26 active travel corridor.

Councillor Mark Munday suggested that future funding could be used for U-shaped cycle hoops rather than bulky hangars, particularly for residential areas and smaller towns like Paddock Wood. Councillor Martin Brice praised the work on cycle routes, particularly for school children, and suggested that Sheffield stands could help prevent pavement parking. Councillor Jayne Sharratt inquired about public engagement for the first phase of the Rusthall High Street works, and officers assured that updates would be provided as soon as information was available.

Topics for Future Meetings

It was suggested that the Joint Transportation Board merge with the Public Transport Forum to consolidate discussions on buses and other public transport issues. While acknowledging the potential overlap and value, concerns were raised about the length of meetings. The matter was noted for future consideration.

Any Other Business

Councillor Martin Brice reported on a meeting with utility companies regarding the planning of traffic disruption from emergency roadworks. He highlighted that while planned roadworks were well managed, emergency works, such as a recent gas main break in Southborough, caused significant disruption. He noted that upcoming gas works on Upper Grosvenor Road in Tunbridge Wells would also cause disruption, but were necessary due to the age of the infrastructure.

The next meeting of the Joint Transportation Board was scheduled for Monday 12 October 2026.