The 6 lane "A21 Pembury by-pass to Tonbridge by-pass dualling" was
one
of a number of trunk road schemes put in to review in 1997. Please find
enclosed a copy of one of our submissions to the roads review for your
consideration. Our objections remain. Additional points are:- A
reduction
in total transportation, the encouragement of local supply for local
needs.
Where transportation is necessary we support the switching of modes of
transport to more sustainable forms such as rail. Vehicle emissions
which
are a major cause of respiratory illness and death, also cause global
warming.
Policy in the past has relied on vehicle emissions dropping through
technical
design fixes, such technical fixes have not occurred and are unlikely
to
achieve enough. The technical fixes have resulted in increased vehicle
speed and acceleration, but not fuel efficiency, and can never deal
with
congestion. A high accident rate is often the results of high speeds.
We
are disappointed that one of the road schemes that will be going ahead
as a result of the roads review is the Lamberhurst by-pass. A Tunbridge
Wells Borough Council document 'Tunbridge Wells 2000+ (Transport
issues)'
of March 99 quotes figures of total vehicle flow between 7:00 and 19:00
as being 11,200 at Lamberhurst (Spray Hill) and at Kippings Cross
16,900,
presuming that night-time traffic is significantly less than day time,
it is difficult to conceive that the A21 ranks as a Trunk Road in
either
of these sections. This scheme in its approved form has a serious
impact
on the natural environmental. Lower rates of traffic flow on the A21
south
of Tonbridge, make a good case for a de-trunk of the whole section
south
of Tonbridge. The A21 runs parallel with the rail line to Hastings. The
rail is an excellent access to Hastings. Hastings is served by coastal
rail linking with Dover and hence Europe. The restoration of the rail
line
from Tunbridge Wells to Brighton would further enhance the network
providing
links via Tunbridge Wells to Ashford international rail station. If
there
is a need for a by-pass of Lamberhurst for the local need, then a more
modest county council financed scheme should be considered. Our Borough
Council is lobbying for widening of this stretch despite these much
lower
traffic flows. This seems quite illogical. We have included some
additional
information, over page.
Yours faithfully
Andrew Lohmann
Val Catt
Rail for freight and for short distance travel outside of London
Since
our submissions to the roads review where we supported the restoration
of Lewes-Uckfield-West Station-Tunbridge Wells rail line for heavy rail
and the restoration or creation of a railway line Tunbridge Wells to
Ashford.
we add our support to the creation of Rail sidings and passenger
stations
in Tunbridge Wells at Good Station Road and North Farm Industrial
Estate.
This will further encourage smaller, short haul van runs in town rather
than long haul lorries. The restoration of rail line is probably a
matter
for Rail Track to finance, but however it is financed we urge GOSE to
pursue
it.
Last changed; 14/09/09, 12/08/09