Full traffic restriction enforcement begins on Mount Pleasant Rd

Vehicles that contravene the bus gate/lane restriction on Mount Pleasant Road, Royal Tunbridge Wells will now receive a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) in the post (from 20 March 2023).

Monitoring of the area in front of the war memorial in the town centre restarted on 20 February and around 6,000 warning letters have been sent to the owners of vehicles contravening the restriction. The letters advised that full enforcement will follow a period of warning notices only, and that subsequent contraventions mean a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) will be issued.

In the month since CCTV cameras restarted monitoring the area the Council’s Parking team, who enforce the restriction, has seen the number of vehicles steadily decrease. However, a number of drivers who have been warned continued to flout the rules, with some vehicles detected multiple times in a day and up to 40 times over the month that warning notices have been issued.

Council Parking Manager John Strachan said: ‘Our thanks go to motorists who are observing the restriction. We have noticed fewer cars now pass through this area. I hope it is becoming more pleasant for pedestrians and cyclists.’

The PR2 bus gate/lane restriction, which applies daily between 9am and 6pm, is a joint initiative between Tunbridge Wells Borough Council and Kent County Council. Restriction supports sustainable transport and reduces air and noise pollution in the town centre. It also makes the town centre safer for pedestrians and more attractive to shoppers and other visitors.

Authorised vehicles are permitted to enter the restriction. More information on the bus gate and exemptions to the restriction can be found in our Bus Gate/Lane webpage.

Anyone who thinks a PCN has been incorrectly issued may appeal it. Details of how to do this may be found in our Appeal a penalty charge notice webpage.