HGV solution by end of next year
CAMPAIGNERS trying to ban unnecessary lorries from using the historic upper High Street can take heart a solution is already being worked on.
In an interview with the Chronicle's Stuart Woledge, Kent County Council's transport development manager for Sevenoaks and Tunbridge Wells, Alan Ash revealed there are a number of options available that could result in a cut in the number of HGVs using the area.
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Alan Ash of Transport and development manager at Kent Highways. LD0911092_1
But there is a lot to do before a final decision on what sort of restrictions, if any, are finally put in place.
TRAFFIC surveys are to be conducted on the major routes into the town to help decide if restrictions are needed to tackle lorries using the upper High Street.
By the end of 2010 Kent County Council hopes to have drawn up a solution to the problem and an outright ban on HGVs has not been ruled out.
Neither has pedestrianising the High Street.
"We're looking at different options such as restrictions on movements throughout the High Street or banning traffic completely and the impacts on the local highway network," said Mr Ash.
"One option was always an HGV ban."
To help reach a decision detailed information is needed, particularly from lorry drivers on where they are going and whether they really need to use the town.
Mr Ash admitted collecting the data could prove tricky because part of the process depends on drivers cooperating.
That said he hopes to be in a position to publish the results by February.
Mr Ash was at pains to point out no restrictions would be put in place until the impacts of what this could mean for surrounding villages such as Riverhead had been taken into consideration.
The surveys are not just being held to look at the HGV issue, but have come about through a more general need to improve the air quality in the town centre.
Projects
The county council is also working on other projects that might result in a reduction in HGVs.
In particular it is part of a national group comprising other local authorities set up to advise the Government on traffic issues involving satellite navigation technology.
One realistic outcome of this is to provide the latest information on suitable routes for HGVs to use and to impose restrictions on roads where necessary.
On top of this, the county council is also developing a freight strategy throughout Kent.
This includes creating maps which will be provided to haulage companies detailing appropriate routes to use and show where restrictions apply.
Mr Ash said the last time this was updated was back in 2004.
Sevenoaks Society is in partnership with the Chronicle on the campaign to ban HGVs and chairman David Gamble was encouraged by the news.
He said: "We would like a permanent solution before 2010, but nevertheless it's a start.
"Clearly the people doing these surveys know that there's very strong public interest in getting this done and it's well worth getting it right."
3 Comments
by Man of Kent, Sevenoaks
Wednesday, January 13 2010, 3:07PM
“I have a Sevenoaks News cutting dated 9 May 1979. It reads
"NEW BID TO RID HIGH
STREET OF BIG LORRIES
ACTION IS to be taken, over the high number of heavy lorries using Sevenoaks' Upper High Street which is having a "disastrous effect" on its buildings.
The outcry from 543 residents, shopkeepers and businessmen who signed a petition has led to investigations into a pedestrian crossing near Sevenoaks School, a possible 15 mph speed limit, single file traffic controlled by lights and a traffic survey,
Meanwhile residents are having to live in houses which shake every time a lorry passes by and pupils at the school who board in buildings fronting onto the road are distracted from their work by noise.
Mrs Lesley Pierce who lives at 20 Upper High Street says her house shakes so much when lorries go by that the record player stops working.
Furniture gets covered in dust from the shaking of the building, "I have been awoken at 5am not by the noise but front the vibration of the shaking of the house. When you sit on the floor you can feel the movement. It is quite frightening."
She says the speed limit is a good idea and the lorries are a constast danger to pedestrians.
Pupils of Sevenoaks School who board at the Girls International House find the noise "little disconcerting" according to housemaster Mr John Adams.
He said: "The noise can be upsetting for those trying to work, and of course the lorries thundering by do cause a safety hazard for pupils walking to the school."
The school's registrar Mr George Alcock feels the problem could be alleviated by more direct signposting on the A21 Sevenoaks by?pass.
NARROW CORNERS
Drivers, he said, could have Sevenoaks on their route and not realise they can stay on the by?pass to get to the Dartford tunnel. He says drivers often stop in Sevenoaks town and ask for directions to the tunnel.
He is in favour of a lorry prohibition sign at both ends of the town. It would solve many problems and anxiety to lorry drive who have to negotiate the tight and narrow corners".
A little over THIRTY YEARS has elapsed since this was reported in our local paper.”
by Anne Brinkley, St Johns Hill
Monday, November 30 2009, 3:54PM
“Whilst I agree with the traffic problems in the high street the speeding problem of lorries, buses, coaches down St Johns Hill has become far worse in the last year and will get worse if traffic is pushed this way.”
by Town, Sevenoaks
Friday, November 20 2009, 10:54AM
“Why the wait and bureaucracy? Just stand at the top of the High Street for one day and it's obvious. I saw the side of Greg's restaturant nearly taken out this morning by an 18 wheeler. Stop speaking about it and get on with it.”