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Town visitors receive twothirds of traffic ban fines By Lilly Croucher OUT-OF-TOWN visitors travelling through the Mount Pleasant Road bus gate have received two-thirds of the fines issued by the Borough Council, according to new figures uncovered by the Times. A Freedom of Information request has revealed that since full enforcement commenced on April 1 2023, only 34 per cent of the penalties issued by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council (TWBC) were to vehicles registered in the Borough. This means a majority of those fined for using the bus gate in front of the War Memorial are motorists who likely live outside the Borough, possibly in
neighbouring districts or counties. Being unfamiliar with the recent changes, they are potentially less aware of the new road layouts and penalties attached.
Surprised One of those visitors was Nigel Skinner, from Four Elms in Sevenoaks, who was surprised to receive a warning notice from Tunbridge Wells Council. As a result, he started his own investigations. Mr Skinner told the Times that while travelling to Fordcombe from North Farm Road, “I decided the simplest route would be up Camden Road, straight
across on to Monson Road, hang a left to the main traffic lights next to the Town Hall and turn right up to the Common. But a couple of weeks later, I received a warning letter. “I had no idea it was a bus lane. It was quiet and there were no buses. Initially I was confused, so checked the signs on Google Street View to see where I had gone wrong. “I was probably concentrating more on other motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians. I was vaguely aware of a sign halfway down Monson Road, but thought it referred to a side road.
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INSIDE: Borough welcomes new Mayor – page 2
G 8 IN PIN P1 W AMND – GL E A EEK W
Wednesday May 31 | 2023