Published: Friday, 10th May 2024
Residents, school pupils and businesses are being asked for their views on a revised walking, wheeling and cycling route for Sevenoaks town.
The Sevenoaks Town East to West route, drawn up with help from the transport experts Sustrans, will provide walkers, wheelers (people on scooters, parents with prams and wheelchair users) and cyclists with safe routes to eight schools and local facilities.
Last summer, the community were asked for their views on the proposed two mile route linking Trinity, Weald of Kent and Tunbridge Wells Boys Grammar schools in the east with Amherst and Riverhead schools in the west. The route also passes by Knole Academy, Sevenoaks Primary and Walthamstow Junior schools.
A total of 490 people took part in the survey. The majority, 61%, were supportive of the route with 25% not supporting the proposal and the remaining 14% not sure or not answering the question.
There were a number of comments about the route and the potential loss of parking spaces. In response, the Council is proposing to take the route through Cavendish Avenue, Oakdene Road and Bradbourne Vale Road instead of Clockhouse Lane, Bradbourne Park Road and St James Road.
Seven on-street car parking spaces at the junction of Bradbourne Road and Bradbourne Vale Road will be relocated on Bradbourne Vale Road along with an additional six on-street car parking spaces.
The Council’s survey opened today (Friday 10 May 2024) and will remain open until midnight on Monday 3 June 2024 and is available at www.sevenoaks.gov.uk/wwc.
The route will be delivered in partnership with Kent County Council with a £1.2 million grant secured from the Government. Work is expected to begin later this year.
The proposals include introducing segregated cycle paths, widening existing footpaths, the creation of new links between existing footpaths and upgrading some road crossings.
Cllr Julia Thornton, Leader of the Council, says: “Encouraging our communities to use sustainable forms of travel is a top priority as we look to tackle the challenges of climate change in our District. This route will allow walkers and ‘wheelers’ to get from A to B more safely, while improving air quality and helping to cut the District’s carbon footprint. These safer routes will encourage more people to leave their cars at home, especially at busy school times, helping to reduce traffic congestion, so there is something for everyone.
“We are delighted there is strong support for our proposals and having carefully listened to our communities, we are proposing some minor changes to the route. We now want to give local people a final say before we move forward with our exciting plans.”
Kent County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, Neil Baker, adds: “It’s encouraging to see that already, many local people support the plans for the Sevenoaks town East to West sustainable travel route. It is vital for us that we take the time to listen to the views of residents so we can be sure we are doing the best thing for the area.
"I encourage residents to take this final opportunity to have their say on the latest plans.”
Sevenoaks District Council is also working on plans for further walking, wheeling and cycling routes linking Sevenoaks, Seal, Kemsing and Otford.
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