Active Travel funding grant
The Council is going to receive £25,000 from Active Travel England’s Capability Fund grant to Kent County Council.
We asked KCC for the money in order to design two walking and cycle routes:
- a route between Rusthall and Royal Tunbridge Wells town centre (via the Commons), in discussion with the Commons Conservators
- a pilot Low Traffic Neighbourhood in Royal Tunbridge Wells, a scheme which could help to reduce rat-running and speeding traffic in residential roads in the town
The funding does not guarantee the schemes will go ahead, However, by exploring the feasibility and carrying out initial design work we will be in a stronger position to bid for funds to implement the schemes in the future.
Timescales for the projects will be considered as part of the feasibility work which is expected to be completed by January 2024.
Active Travel England is responsible for making active travel the preferred choice for everyone to get around in England. Its objective is for 50% of trips in England’s towns and cities to be walked, wheeled or cycled by 2030.
The Council has a Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan which was developed as part of the work on creating a new Local Plan for the borough. You can see the Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan here:
Tunbridge Wells Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan Phase 1
Tunbridge Wells Borough Council Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan: Phase 2
The work undertaken to explore opportunities for Low Traffic Neighbourhoods in the LCWIP suggested that the St John’s and St James’ areas would be a good place for a pilot. However, the design work will go ahead with close engagement with local communities.
