High Street, Royal Tunbridge Wells

The results of the High Street consultation undertaken in autumn 2021 have been published and can be read in our final report.

The results of the survey have been considered carefully and it has been agreed by TWBC Cabinet that the scheme should be retained but that a number of changes should be explored in the short-term including:

• Marking designated delivery bays;
• Providing some disabled parking bays;
• Fixing the planters so that they are less easy to move (unless for emergencies or utility works);
• Installing additional bollards to prevent pavement parking;
• Improving integration of signage with street furniture: and
• Making some improvements in Castle Street: e.g more planters here to improve the appearance and liaison with refuse companies to stagger collection times.

In the longer term (if and when funding allows) the next steps could be to commission a design for a more permanent scheme, again responding to the survey feedback and including:

• replacement of parklets/planters with an alternative design that has a more permanent appearance;
• extension of the footway (pavement) with a new kerb line to replace some of the planters;
• access only for vehicles in the High Street (depending on the nature of businesses in the future).

It should be noted that there are a number of suggested changes that we do not believe can be delivered including:

• full pedestrianisation of the High Street: this is because access is required to residential streets off the High Street and deliveries to businesses could not be made; and
• Additional parklets added to the scheme: this is because there is not sufficient width for more parklets along other stretches of the High Street.

The existing Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) for the scheme, that was put in place as part of the initial Emergency Active Travel Fund project, expires in March 2022. This will be replaced with a further TRO to allow the scheme to be retained.

TWBC will work in partnership with Kent County Council (KCC), our Highway Authority, to put the new TRO in place. Any short-term changes to the scheme (as listed above) will also need to be agreed with KCC.

This consultation closed on 12th October 2021.

High Street Enhancements Scheme, Royal Tunbridge Wells 

Consultation for Residents, Businesses and Visitors.

Following the recent installation of parklets and planters in the High Street, Royal Tunbridge Wells, the Council is seeking feedback on the current scheme. We are asking businesses and residents, as well as those that visit the High Street, their views to ascertain if there is support to see the scheme made permanent.

Before completing the survey, we would recommend reading the background information document, which can be found within the background information section. A plan of the existing scheme can also be found here, as well as a gallery of photos.

Please scroll down to complete the relevant online survey below. The survey should only take a maximum of 5 minutes to complete.

If you have any questions before or after completing the survey, please email the Economic Development Team at businesscovid19@tunbridgewells.gov.uk

The scheme has been funded from a number of different sources including: the Welcome Back Fund and Royal Tunbridge Wells Together BID.

Please complete the survey by midnight on Tuesday 12 October. 

It is recommended to complete the survey within the Google Chrome browser.

Thank you very much for taking the time to give us your views.