'Put bypass plan back on agenda'

By cmiller

WITH speeding, pollution, HGVs and congestion blighting Westerham, parish councillors have called for the question of a bypass for the town to be put back on the agenda.

Westerham Parish Council chairman Cllr Alan Wesley suggested a previously proposed alternative route, via Beggars Lane and Clacket Lane, taking traffic away from the town centre, should be looked at again to alleviate the problem.

With the scrapping of plans to widen the M25 between Junctions 5 and 7 in favour of hard shoulder running, Cllr Wesley said there was likely to be little relief in the future from the congestion caused by lane closures on the motorway.

Raising the idea during a highways and lighting meeting on Monday, he said: "It's the only possibility of doing anything meaningful. Somewhere along the line, it's got to be back on the agenda.

"If it doesn't come on the agenda, it's never going to happen."

Kent Highway Services local transport and development manager Alan Ash said Edenbridge's bypass had come about primarily as a result of developer funding and any similar project in Westerham would have to be funded in the same way.

Highways and lighting committee chairman Cllr David Jewitt said the bypass was the only way to tackle both the town's poor air quality and speeding vehicles.

"The bypass is the only solution," he said.

"Speed and air quality are mutually antagonistic, as the more you slow the traffic, the more pollution you produce. One has to be aware there are two considerations – the residents and the traders – and if we push for a bypass the traders are not going to be happy."

He added this was because many rely on passing trade.

The bypass was one of a number of solutions put forward by the parish council during a discussion about the A25 Route Study. Others ideas put forward included mini-roundabouts at the Hosey Hill and London Road junctions and a 20mph speed limit in the town.

On the question of mini-roundabouts, Mr Ash said: "For accessing the A25, I think they're a good possible solution. That's something we need to look at."

The Government is currently consulting on plans to introduce more 20mph zones near schools and in residential areas.

The parish council has previously asked about the possibility of reducing the speed limit in Westerham, but was told by Kent Highways it was unlikely to happen. Cllr Jewitt said: "In light of the recent proposal by the Government, we still want that to be reconsidered with regard to the residential roads and the A25 through Westerham."

Mr Ash said Kent Highways, which is part of Kent County Council, would consider the ideas put forward by the parish council.

He said: "The idea now it to look at the solutions on the table and which are the most suitable."