Since its development, parking across Kings Hill has been a complex issue. Issues are:
- conflicting calls for increased parking space
- need for safer roads that are more accessible for deliveries, services and emergency vehicles
- the ability to keep pavements clear for pedestrians and vulnerable road users
We have worked with the parish council and Liberty Property Trust to review the parking situation.
October 2019
Consultation took place on initial proposals for restrictions on adopted roads. Adopted roads are those maintained at public expense by the Kent County Council (KCC) Highway Authority.
Covid and the associated lockdowns and elections have had an impact on the work needed for the Kings Hill parking review.
September 2020
Informal consultation responses were reported the Joint Transportation Board (JTB) in September 2020. Councillors resolved, subject to the informal consultation responses (Annex 2) with minor alterations to proposals on Queen Street, Discovery Drive and Regent Way, that the Kings Hill parking review be progressed to formal consultation.
See Meeting of JTB September 2020
June 2021
Formal consultation took place.
March 2022
Formal consultation responses were reported to the JTB March 2022. Careful consideration was given to the level of need within the community to manage and regulate parking. Members also had regard to the strength of feeling set out in the consultation responses. However, it was recognised that the Borough Council’s parking review would be unable to address the historic planning issues in the area. It was also recognised that the proposals were based on the principles of the Highway Code and were intended to maintain access through the estate in a safe manner for residents, public transport providers and emergency services.
Following consideration by the JTB, the cabinet member for technical and waste services resolved that:
- the significant number of formal consultation responses received be noted; and
- in principle, the objections received should be set aside and the proposed changes, as set out in the Traffic Regulation Order, be supported, with implementation delayed to allow further consideration of proposals for yellow lines in relation to Milton Lane and Hazen Road
November 2022
Kings Hill parking review was reported to the JTB on 21 November 2022.The parking issues in Kings Hill cover a number of locations across the development, with a variety of issues relating to the style of the development and the number of adopted and private roads.
We have taken proposals through informal consultation and formal consultation. Local members have asked that the review be placed on hold to allow additional locations to be bought forward.
See Meeting of JTB November 2022
September - October 2023
KCC are considering one-way traffic proposals for Fortune Way and Milton Lane, as a large proportion of Queen Street has not been adopted. Introducing roads with one-way traffic flows can have significant effect on the parking habits in those roads, and accordingly affects the wider parking proposals.
In light of this, and the time that has passed since the previous formal consultation was carried out, we re-consulting and invited objections on the revised proposals, with the elements in Fortune Way and Milton Lane that would be affected by a potential one-way traffic scheme withdrawn. The re-consultation ran from 22 September until 15 October 2023. The proposals have not significantly changed since the previous consultation, save for the areas affected by the potential changes to traffic flow in Fortune Way and Milton Lane.
Formal consultation drawings
- Alexander Grove, Discovery Drive and Alton Avenue
- Bovarde Avenue
- Braeburn Way, Tower View, Winston Avenue and Melrose Avenue
- Crispin Way
- Discovery Drive (Bovarde Avenue to Quindell Place)
- Discovery Drive (Clearheart Lane to Tiffen Way)
- Discovery Drive (Rougemont to Bovarde Avenue)
- Discovery Drive (Tiffen Way to Holly Way)
- Discovery Drive (Winston Avenue - Melrose Avenue area)
- Discovery Drive and Fortune Way (southern section)
- Discovery Drive (east of Alexander Grove)
- Fortune Way
- Gibson Drive
- Queen Street
- Regent Way (Tower View to Sunrise Way)
Formal consultation documents
Timescale
Once the re-consultation closes, the responses will be reported for consideration to a future meeting of the Joint Transportation Board, to assist elected Members with their decisions.
If the Board decide to introduce the changes, we would be looking at the introduction of change on-street in the Spring of 2024.
What was covered in the parking review?
The first stage of The Kings Hill parking review aimed to tackle the parking problems on the adopted distributor roads and junctions, with a view to address existing issues and to deter parking displacement to areas where it may cause a future problem.
Later phases will look at the issues in the residential areas.
We are also in discussion with Kent County Council and developers to consider new controls on the roads that may be offered for adoption in the future.
What cannot be covered in the parking review?
We do not have any powers to deal the parts of Kings Hill that are privately owned and managed. Our powers only relate to adopted highway. KCC provide information as to which roads are public (adopted highway) and which roads are private.
The aim of the review is to improve access and safety, but requests for traffic calming, speed limits, one-way streets and so on can only be considered by KCC, or the owners.
See Changing roads in your area
Enforcing restrictions
Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council Civil Enforcement Officers (CEOs) have limited powers. The introduction of parking restrictions to adopted roads means that CEO’s would be able to issue penalty charge notices where they witness a contravention.
Our officers cannot have vehicles removed. Only the police have powers to deal with the criminal offences of obstruction, vehicles left in a dangerous position, speeding and other moving traffic offences.