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January22 18| 2023 | 2023 Wednesday March
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SAFE FOR ANOTHER YEAR: The Local & Live festival 2023 is set to go ahead, thanks to the help of Tunbridge Wells Football Club been headline sponsors Maxipay. Seehas Page 3 left ‘devastated’ after fire gutted its clubhouse on the same day as the death was announced of one of its supporters who was hit by a van. Full story, page 2.
Visit us at: Russell House, Grove Hill Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN1 1RZ. Our shop is open: Tues – Fri 10.00am - 5.00pm Saturday 10.00am - 5.30pm Tel: (01892) 526659 www.brittensmusic.co.uk
Demand for good schools pushes more Traffic banning LTN plan for Tunbridge Wells Tunbridge Wells homes over £1m mark By Lilly Croucher
PLANS for Low Traffic Neighbourhoods By Victoria Roberts and Lilly Croucher
(LTN) in Tunbridge Wells have been submitted by the Borough THE NUMBER of homes in Partnership Tunbridge as part ofworth a bidover for funding from Kent County Wells £1million has increased Council by more (KCC). than 43 per cent over the past An ‘LTN pilot’ proposed by the coalition three years, estate agent Savills has between the Lib Dems, Labour and the reported. Alliance, would besaw trialled the the Tunbridge Wells 539 along sales over ‘rat-runs’ around John’s £1million mark inSt 2021 andRoad 2022,and St James’ Road in ansales effort curb compared to 378 into the previous two congestion and traffic in residential areas. years. The absolute number of homes in LTNs arebracket schemes reducing this price inaimed Britainathas increased traffic certain by over 40inper cent neighbourhoods since 2019. restricting types of vehicles, This threevarious per cent increase above the introducing one-way systems as well as national average is mainly attributed to other traffic calming measures. the good schools on offer in the town, In London, LTNs were introduced at the local agents say. start of theSelbie Covid-19 pandemic and have Natasha of Savills Tunbridge proved controversial, with claims that the schemes can increase congestion, traffic and pollution in surrounding areas.
In Tunbridge Wells, the restricted routes are likely to be enforced by physical barriers like“Tunbridge one-way systems, changes Wells said: Wells has a lot toto road layouts bollards (suchof asschools plant offer, with anand extensive choice pots)local to prevent vehicle access to certain and amenities, a direct commute to roads. and beautiful surrounding London countryside in all directions.” Other local
‘We would need to do a ‘You could expect to pay thorough consultation with around 10-20 per cent extra residents before any changes for a property just because take place’ it is in the catchment area of good schools’ But the coalition has said they may considerhowever, other ‘options’ suchcategorical as number agents, were more plate recognition would need in linking soaringcameras prices tobut highly to seek resident Councilareas. approval desirable schooland catchment beforehand. Steve Bovis of Wood & Pilcher said: If the pilot is successful, the Borough Partnership said it could expand LTNs across the town centre.
The LTNs are one of three Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans (LCWIPS) submitted KCCare forto funding through “The closertoyou the school, the Active Travel more you willEngland’s pay. ThatCapability works on Fund. supply KCCdemand. secured The £565,439 from the demand. and schools create Capability Fund earlier “You could expect to this pay month, around which gives local for authorities to draw 10-20 money per centtoextra a property just up plans it foriscycling and walking routes. because in the catchment area of Further cash would then beStforthcoming good schools. St John’s and James both to help deliver individual projects. have high demand with the three Cllr Peterschools Lidstone (Libby.” Dem), the grammar close Council’s and Cycling Champion Mr BovisWalking said school-driven demand who represents Stboth John’s ward, was coming from the localtold areathe and Times: would need to do a thorough abroad.“We He told the Times: “For a young consultation with residents family, proximity to schoolsbefore is oneany of changes place. with many families their toptake priorities, “Hopefully schemes will be put moving fromour Sussex, Crowborough, forward andand selected funding, but North Kent Southfor London. there are no guarantees here of course,” Continued Page 2 Cllr Lidstoneon added.
Continued on page 2
INSIDE: Tenants spending half of income on rent – Page 2
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