Decision details

(Joint report of Director of Street Scene, Leisure and Technical Services, Director of Finance and Transformation and Interim Deputy Chief Executive)

In accordance with the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules, decision D240034CAB was the subject of a call-in and was scrutinised by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 22 April 2024.  Members of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee considered the grounds for the call-in and had regard to the responses provided by the Cabinet.  After in-depth discussion and a formal vote the Overview and Scrutiny Committee recommended that decision D240034CAB be amended as set out in Minute Number OS 24/28. 

Careful consideration was given to the recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, the views of wider Members and the signatories of the petitions received in respect of ‘Upper Castle Field’ and the ‘Extension of charging hours in Borough Council car parks’. 

Due consideration was also given to the statements made at the meeting by community representatives, during which significant concern was expressed over the potential threat to the vibrancy and vitality of the community, the extension of the Upper Castle Field car park and the extension of charging hours until 8pm including Sundays and Bank Holidays and impact on local residents, business and visitors.

After careful consideration and having due regard to the financial and value for money considerations, Cabinet proposed a number of amendments to Decision No. D240034CAB which was superseded by Decision No. D240034(1)CAB.

RESOLVED: That

(1)    the following recommendations of the Joint Transportation Board of 4 March 2024, be approved:

(i)     the proposals for Avebury Avenue, Tonbridge to remove the current on-street Pay and Display be approved, and that the on-street Traffic Regulation Order be amended to reflect the changes;

(ii)    the proposals for the introduction of on-street charges in West Malling High Street and Swan Street be introduced as drawn, with the inclusion of no charge for up to 1 hour of parking and that the on-street Traffic Regulation Order be amended to reflect the changes;

(iii)    the proposal for the loading bay in West Malling High Street be introduced as drawn, the future level of enforcement and size of signs be reviewed, and the on-street Traffic Regulation Order be altered to reflect the changes; and

(iv)    the changes to the on-street fees and charges be implemented as advertised and that the on-street Traffic Regulation Order be altered to reflect the changes;

(2)    the parking charges to Martin Square car park be introduced as stated in the report, subject to an amendment to no charge for up to 1 hour of parking and the reduction in the charge for a season ticket to £10 per month;

(3)    the parking charges to Aylesford Bailey Bridge (East) and Bailey Bridge (West) car parks be introduced as stated in the report, subject to the reduction in the charge for a season ticket to £120 per annum and the inclusion of no charge for up to one hour of parking, with further consideration to be given to the provision of parking spaces for exclusive use by residents; however, the parking charges are not to be implemented until the extension of the Bailey Bridge (East) car park has been completed which is subject to Capital Plan/fast-track evaluation;

(4)    the Bailey Bridge (East) car park be extended subject to Capital Plan/fast track evaluation;

(5)    the current proposal to extend the Upper Castle Field car park not be agreed;

(6)    the existing nine Gateway parking spaces located in the Tonbridge Castle car park become available for general use and they are subject to the same parking conditions and requirements for payment as the rest of the Castle Grounds car park;

(7)    the off-street parking tariffs be revised as stated in the report;

(8)    with the exception of West Malling High Street, the Council’s off-street parking charges be extended until 8pm and that the parking charges also be applied on Sundays and Bank Holidays, excluding Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day; and

(9)   there be no charge for up to 30 minutes of parking in the following short stay car parks in Tonbridge: Bradford Street, Castle Grounds, Kinnings Row, Lamberts Yard, River Lawn and Upper Castle Field.