The Board considered a report that presented the results of the public consultation on a proposed scheme to introduce a Town-wide 20mph speed limit as well as a one-way traffic order between The Vine and St Botolphs Road in a Southerly direction. The proposal included a new zebra crossing, an advisory cycle lane on Dartford Road and a 30mph speed reduction on A25 Seal Road. The consultation was the result of a resident petition received by the Board on 9 June 2021 and was supported by the KCC Member for Sevenoaks Town.

The Board was addressed by the Lead Petitioner and Seal Parish Cllr. Haslam.

The introduction of a 30mph speed limit on the A25 had been consulted on separately and had been included as part of the wider scheme. The Board expressed strong support for the 30mph speed reduction on the A25 Seal Road.

It was moved by the Chairman and duly seconded that it be recommended to KCC the implementation of a 30mph speed limit on A25 Seal Road from its junction with High Street to a point 95 metres west of its junction with Pinewood Avenue.

The motion was put to the vote and was carried.

Members asked questions of clarification around the consultation, 20mph speed reduction zones and traffic data. The Senior Programme Manager (KCC) advised that a speed reduction to 20mph on the A25 at Knole Academy would disrupt traffic flow and sensible compliance and was not recommended. In response to a question the Senior Programme Manager (KCC) would report back to the Board on the statutory consultation received for the Council.

Action 1: For the Senior Programme Manager (KCC) to update the Board on when and who was contacted at Sevenoaks District Council as part of the consultation process for the Sevenoaks Town-Wide 20mph Scheme, and when a response was received.

The viability of the zones around schools was discussed and it was confirmed that the 500metre catchment zone around the schools adhered to the Public Transport Accessibility Levels Study which scored how reliant individuals were on a private vehicle. It was also confirmed that at peak times traffic data showed an adherence to sub-20mph speeds around schools and that speed was a factor in 3 – 8% of overall incidents. It was noted that local Schools such as St John’s and Sevenoaks primary had previously implemented 20mph zones and Sevenoaks Town Council (STC) supported the implementation of 20mph speed limits around schools and in residential areas.

Some Members suggested that the scheme should consider the consultation responses carefully and in particular the objections and comments from residents who lived in the area as opposed to visitors from other areas. Other Members expressed concern over considering some responses more than others.

Members discussed the implementation of the Sevenoaks Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) and how this would co-ordinate with the proposal for a further cycle lane on Dartford Road. The Sevenoaks East/West Safe Cycling & walking route had received funding and was undergoing the design stage which did not include funding for the further cycle lane on Dartford Road proposed in the report.

A Member suggested that the scheme be modified to match elements provided by the original petition such as removing Brittains Lane and Montreal Park Estate from the scheme and withdrawing the TRO at the Vine outlined in the consultation in relation to traffic flow. Members discussed the suggested changes and some Members expressed concern that the changes would be too substantial without re-consultation.

The one-way system on the Dartford Road was included in the Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) however the pedestrian crossing and the cycle lane were not. Members noted that the one-way system on Dartford Road was not strongly supported but that the wider 20mph Town scheme had greater support. Members expressed a desire that further consideration should be given to the proposals alongside traffic and speed data and the possibility of a further consultation.

Public Sector Equality Duty

Members noted that consideration had been given to impacts under the Public Sector Equality Duty.

It was moved by the Chairman and duly seconded that the Board also endorse a Sevenoaks Town 20mph zone and set up a small working group to further refine a scheme to meet that goal.

The motion was put to the vote and it was

Resolved: That

(a)  it be recommended to KCC that a 30mph speed limit on A25 Seal Road from its junction with High Street to a point 95 metres West of its junction with Pinewood Avenue as advertised via the Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) be implemented and;

(b)the introduction of a 20mph zone in Sevenoaks Town which is adequately evidenced and supported be endorsed and;

(c)  a small Member working group with Officer support refine a scheme that met resolution (b) to report back to a future meeting of the Board be established.