Tunbridge Wells Borough Development Plan TRANSPORT STRATEGY 2015 – 2026 July 2015 Contents 1 Executive Summary 2 2 Introduction 6 3 Policy Context 6 4 Existing Transport Network and Challenges 10 5 Growth and Development in the borough 32 6 Transport Vision and Objectives 34 7 Funding and Investment 36 8 Implementation and Monitoring 40 Appendix A: Local Policy Context 49 Appendix B: Schedule of Safety Cameras 53 Appendix C: Schedule of Current Bus Services (updated June 2014) 54 1 What is the Tunbridge Wells Borough Transport Strategy? 1.1 The Tunbridge Wells Transport Strategy, prepared jointly by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council (TWBC) and Kent County 1 Council (KCC) sets out the vision for transport in the borough between 2015 and 2026. It includes the following: ● A summary of the current policy context Executive at the national and local level ● A description of existing public transport and road networks including current Summary challenges ● Strategy vision and objectives and priority projects which align with the Local Plan to 2026 and ● An Implementation Plan 1.2 The Strategy seeks to address existing transport problems but also to support future development in the borough. It has therefore, been prepared in line with the Tunbridge Wells Local Plan which is seeking to deliver 6,000 new homes across the borough by 2026 and additional retail floorspace. This development will support the continued prosperity of the borough. Contents: Why do we need a Transport Strategy? 1.3 Businesses and residents in the borough, as well as visitors, already face significant What is the Tunbridge Wells Borough traffic congestion and unreliable journey Transport Strategy? times when travelling in and around the area, especially at peak times. The growth proposed, whilst needed, is likely to Why do we need a exacerbate this situation unless measures Transport Strategy? are taken to manage existing highways and transport infrastructure efficiently and provide What are the Strategy Vision new infrastructure where appropriate. and Objectives? 1.4 Several transport corridors in the borough are already affected by poor air quality, in particular the A26 which has been What are the priority projects that will designated an Air Quality Management be delivered? Area (AQMA). This issue is also addressed through the AQMA Air Quality Action Plan Where will the funding and supported by this Strategy. come from? How will we monitor progress of the Transport Strategy? 2 What are the Strategy Vision Objective 5 – Improve air quality, and Objectives? particularly within the designated Air Quality Management Area. 1.5 The vision for the borough is for: Objective 6 – Increase the use of sustainable transport modes including Tunbridge Wells Borough to benefit cycling, walking and public transport. from a network of higher quality, better Objective 7 – Provide suitable parking to integrated, sustainable transport support the borough’s town centres solutions and infrastructure, that will enable the borough to solve existing Objective 8 – Improve the quality of public and future transport challenges, and spaces within Royal Tunbridge Wells to enable a vibrant, prosperous economy make the town centre more legible and attractive for pedestrians. and inclusive communities. What are the priority projects that will By 2026, Tunbridge Wells will have a be delivered? transport network which is less reliant on the private car, with a greater mode ● Pembury Road A264 capacity share towards walking, cycling and improvements public transport, especially for shorter ● London Road/St John’s Road A26 journeys. However, it is recognised capacity improvements that some journeys will continue to ● North Farm infrastructure improvements necessitate use of the private car, especially in rural areas. ● Royal Tunbridge Wells Town Centre public space improvements ● A network of key cycling routes as set out The borough will have a safer in the borough Cycling Strategy environment for all road users, and ● Speed reduction projects linked to its air will be cleaner with more low schools and other priority locations emission vehicles and bicycles sharing ● Lobby for the dualling of the A21 from road space. Kippings Cross to Lamberhurst ● A228 Colts Hill improvement scheme 1.6 The following objectives will guide the delivery of the Transport Strategy. Where will the funding come from? Objective 1 – Provide transport 1.7 Not all of the projects set out in the infrastructure to support new development, Implementation Plan have identified costs facilitate growth in the local economy and and/or funding allocated to them already. improve rural accessibility. However, the preparation of this Strategy will Objective 2 – Improve strategic road and assist the Council in negotiating funding and rail links between the borough, London and in making funding bids in the future. Potential the wider South East. funding sources will include: Department for Transport (DfT), the South East Local Objective 3 – Reduce congestion on the Enterprise Partnership (SELEP), Kent County highway network, particularly on key radial Council’s (KCC) Transport Block Allocation, routes into Royal Tunbridge Wells. developer contributions (s106/Community Infrastructure Levy) and investment by Objective 4 – Improve travel safety across partners including public transport providers. the borough especially for vulnerable road Funding for transport projects may also users, including cyclists, pedestrians and become available through projects that are equestrians. designed to promote public health (via the 3 West Kent Clinical Commissioning Group) or How will we monitor progress of the improve air quality (via Defra). Further work Transport Strategy? will be undertaken on the costing of individual projects and the Implementation Plan will be 1.8 The Implementation Plan is a live document updated accordingly. This Implementation and will be reviewed regularly, to ensure Plan will form the basis of the transport that projects are progressed. Feedback on elements of the Infrastructure Delivery the progress of the projects identified in Plan document which identifies specific the Implementation Plan will be reported schemes, costs and funding sources for the through the Joint Transportation Board, infrastructure required to deliver the growth in Public Transport Forum, Cycling Forum and the Local Plan. other Committees as appropriate. 1.9 In addition, an annual review of available baseline statistics for example Department for Transport Annual Average Daily Flow Data (AADT) (see para 4.12) and Killed or Seriously Injured (KSI) crash data (see para 4.36) will be undertaken to assist in assessing the outcomes of the Strategy in relation to the eight objectives. 4 5 Transport in context 2.1 Tunbridge Wells Borough is situated in the south west of Kent, and borders the authorities of Sevenoaks, Tonbridge & Malling, Maidstone and Ashford in Kent 2 and Rother and Wealden in East Sussex. Tunbridge Wells therefore, shares many Introduction of its strategic transport routes with neighbouring areas. 2.2 Tunbridge Wells Borough faces acute transport challenges, particularly in terms of managing existing congestion and future growth, as well as needing to respond to the impacts of air quality and climate change. This Strategy will address these issues through a range of actions and interventions, to be delivered jointly by partners including Kent County Council, the borough Council, transport operators, developers and businesses. The primary ambition of the Transport Strategy is to support the realisation of the borough’s spatial vision and relevant objectives, as set out in the Local Plan: ‘Strategic Objective 4: To facilitate the provision of enhanced infrastructure, including green infrastructure, to support new and existing development, particularly where this can reduce the need to travel and to encourage the use of sustainable modes of travel where travel remains necessary’. ‘Strategic Objective 7: To promote a safe and healthy community that is inclusive of the needs of the communities that make up the borough’s population’. 1 2.3 This Strategy sets out the vision for transport infrastructure and services for the next 11 years from 2015 to 2026. The Strategy is a formal part of the evidence Contents: base which supports the Council’s Local Plan. The vision is for a Transport Strategy which strikes a better balance between the Transport in context management of travel demand, and the provision of attractive transport choices, The future of Tunbridge Wells alongside any necessary highway capacity improvements. Roles and Responsibilities 1 Tunbridge Wells Core Strategy Adopted June 2010 6 2.4 The interventions identified in this Strategy Roles and responsibilities are set out in the Implementation Plan (Section 8) and will be reviewed regularly 2.8 This Transport Strategy has been jointly in accordance with the Transport Strategy prepared by TWBC and KCC. objectives and progress associated with the 2.9 Tunbridge Wells Borough Council (TWBC) is Council’s Local Plan, SELEP’s Strategic the Local Planning Authority for the borough Economic Plan, KCC’s Unlocking the and also has delegated responsibility for Potential for Growth and Local Transport Civil Parking Enforcement under the Traffic Plan 3. Management Act 2004. TWBC also undertakes 2.5 A VISUM multi-modal transport model street cleaning, the licensing of taxis and covering the urban areas of Tunbridge private hire vehicles, the provision of bus Wells, Paddock Wood and Tonbridge