Double yellow line proposal - Speldhurst

KCC has made a proposal to install double yellow lines in Speldhurst, at the junctions of Cobhams and Barden Road, and Ferbies and Langton Road. If you wish to comment or view more information, please do so via the following link to the KCC website:

Various roads in Tunbridge Wells - Amendment 5: Waiting restrictions | Let’s talk Kent

The deadline for comments is12noon on Monday 2nd January 2023. Please read on for some background to this proposal, which has come about as a result of long term feedback from road users and residents living in the immediate vicinity of both junctions.

Residents living near the junction of Ferbies and Langton Road have raised concerns for some time about cars parked on the junction, particularly at school drop off and pick up times. They report that it is impossible to see around these cars and anyone attempting to enter or exit Ferbies is unable to safely do so. Residents negotiating the junction of Cobhams and Barden Road have reported similar problems, especially during rush hour.

Parish Councillors carried out a survey of parking at these two locations over several months in early 2022, and concluded that concerns were valid. After liaising with KCC's Highways Improvement Manager, the Parish Council then conducted a 'soft' consultation for both, asking residents in the immediate area for their views on double yellow lines as a solution. As a result of feedback, KCC decided there were sufficient grounds for a wider public consultation on the matter.

You may know that the parish council has a comprehensive Highways Improvement Plan for Speldhurst Parish, This is very much driven by resident feedback and we have been working hard this year to tackle road safety issues. If double yellow lines are installed at Ferbies and Cobhams, they will be part of a wider plan aimed at progressing traffic-calming solutions. This includes working with Borough Councillors, using near-miss, accident and speed data to lobby KCC for speed reductions where appropriate, and lobbying Kent Police to carry out more frequent speed enforcement checks. Although our own powers are limited, we also use our budget to do what we can.

As always, residents are welcome to attend our Highways Working Group meetings to find out more. The next meeting is on 28th February 2023, or you can view the minutes at www.speldhurstparishcouncil.gov.uk