The Joint Transportation Board noted an update on parking restrictions on Darkhill Road, Ightham, the outcome of consultation on a number of minor amendments to Traffic Regulation Orders, an update on a footway improvement scheme in Hadlow, an update on a junction improvement scheme in Mereworth and an update on the Highways Works Programme.

Parking Reviews

The Board noted a report on the progress of a number of parking reviews being carried out across the borough. The Board heard that the Kings Hill Parking Review – Phase A had been completed. They also heard that informal consultation had been completed on the Hadlow and Hildenborough parking reviews, and that formal consultation would take place early the following year. The board also noted an update to the Parking Action Plan. This plan sets out parking restrictions that are to be introduced in phases over time. Some additional locations had been added to the list of places to be considered for inclusion in Phase 16 of the plan. These locations are: Burns Crescent, Masefield Way, Shakespeare Road, Slade and Zone J.

Parking Action Plan, Access Group 9

The Board noted the outcome of a formal consultation on proposals in Access Group 9 of the Parking Action Plan. This Access Group is for minor amendments to the Traffic Regulation Order that can be dealt with via a streamlined process. Formal consultation had taken place from 4 October to 27 October 2024 on the following proposals:

• Adjustments to the permit parking area on St Mary’s Road, Tonbridge to accommodate a new enforceable disabled person parking bay outside No’s 126 & 128.
• Adjustments to the permit parking area on Somerhill Road, Tonbridge to accommodate a new enforceable disabled person parking bay outside No 10.
• A change to the disabled persons parking advisory bay opposite No 23 Carnation Crescent, East Malling to make it an enforceable disabled person parking bay.

No objections had been received to the proposals for St Mary’s Road and Carnation Crescent. One objection had been received to the proposal for Somerhill Road. In accordance with the Council’s policy for dealing with minor alterations under the Access Group arrangements, the objection was shared with the local County and Borough Members along with the Chair of the Joint Transportation Board. A consensus was reached to recommend to the Cabinet Member for Transformation and Infrastructure that the objection be set aside and that the change be implemented. Councillor Martin Coffin, the Cabinet Member for Transformation & Infrastructure agreed with the recommendation, and decided to set aside the objection and implement the change.

A26 Tonbridge Road, Hadlow - Footway Improvements

The Board received an update on a petition that had been submitted to Kent County Council requesting a new commuting / leisure cycle route along the A26 which would connect Hadlow & Tonbridge. An outline design investigation had identified a number of engineering & ecological site constraints. Because of these constraints, the delivery of a cycle route was not considered to be economically viable. Following discussions with key stakeholders, it was agreed to proceed with a footway enhancement scheme instead. Funding for phase one of the route had been secured in early 2024, and work was programmed to begin in April 2025. Funding for future stages of the scheme would be subject to the Local Transport Plan (LTP) bid process, and was not guaranteed.

The proposed three phases of the scheme are as follows:

• Phase 1 – Three Elms Lane to Haywards Farm Shop
• Phase 2 – Haywards Farm Shop to the existing public right of way (PRoW) – Footpath number MT145
• Phase 3 – Blackmans Lane to Hadlow College

A fourth phase between PRoW footpath number MT145 to Blackmans Lane was not considered to be viable following discussions with landowners along the A26.

Kent Street Junction Improvement Update

The Board received an update on the proposed Kent Street/Malling Road highway improvement scheme. This scheme had previously been recommended for approval by the Board in September 2023. The scheme is funded by Section 106 contributions from the Kings Hill Phase 2 development, and is for “Local Traffic Management and Calming”. The proposed work would improve visibility at the Kent Street junction with the A228, and would widen the A228 Malling Road between Kent Street and Beech Road. Detailed design work had been progressing for the previous 12 months, and a contractor had now been appointed. Construction work would start in January 2025, and would be complete by November 2025.

Highways Works Programme

The board noted a report that provided an update on planned highway maintenance schemes for the years 2024/25 and 2025/26. The report covered:

• Road, Footway & Cycleway Renewal and Preservation Schemes
• Drainage Repairs & Improvements
• Street Lighting
• Transportation and Safety Schemes
• Developer Funded Works
• Bridge Works
• Traffic Systems
• Combined Members Grant

This included the announcement of the commencement of a multi-year strategic lining programme for the renewal of road markings. This programme would initially focus on the Resilient Highway Network and A road network, and would be expanded to the B road network in the future. A five year programme had been developed, and would be reviewed and sense checked annually.