Issue - meetings

The report brings forward the design for the Riverside Route Lighting project between Vale Road and Town Lock, Tonbridge and seeks approval to move the project forward for construction later in this calendar year.

Consideration was given to the proposal outlined in the external consultant’s design report (attached at Annex 1) which was to progress the tendering and construction of a high-quality lighting scheme between Town Lock and Vale Road/Cannon Lane in Tonbridge.

Due regard was given to the financial and value for money considerations, the assessment of risk and the legal implications detailed in the report.  Members noted a revised budget for the project due to improved accuracy following stage 4 design.  It was also felt prudent to allow a contingency sum for any issues arising from an ecological appraisal and any further comments from external bodies including the Environment Agency and Kent Wildlife Trust.

On the grounds of improving safety along the footpath and that the project could be delivered in full via developer contributions with no funding needed from the Borough Council, Cllr Keers proposed, Cllr Mehmet seconded and Cabinet

RESOLVED:  That

(1)            the project for riverside lighting between Vale Road and the northwest boundary of the former gasholder site be progressed through the tender and construction stages;

(2)            delegated authority be granted to the Director of Street Scene, Leisure and Technical Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Communities and local Ward Members, to amend the design to take into account any findings from the ecological appraisal and any further comments from external bodies including the Environment Agency and Kent Wildlife Trust;  and

(3)            a project budget as set out in the report and funded in full via developer contributions, be approved

(Decision Notice D250098CAB)

Consideration was given to the proposal outlined in the external consultant’s design report (attached at Annex 1) which was to progress the tendering and construction of a high-quality lighting scheme between Town Lock and Vale Road/Cannon Lane in Tonbridge.

Due regard was given to the financial and value for money considerations, the assessment of risk and the legal implications detailed in the report.  Members noted a revised budget for the project due to improved accuracy following stage 4 design.  It was also felt prudent to allow a contingency sum for any issues arising from an ecological appraisal and any further comments from external bodies including the Environment Agency and Kent Wildlife Trust.

It was recognised that the scheme addressed concerns raised by ward councillors over a number of years and on the grounds of improving safety along the footpath and that the project could be delivered in full via developer contributions with no funding needed from the Borough Council, Cllr Keers proposed, Cllr Mehmet seconded and Cabinet

RESOLVED:  That

(1)            the project for riverside lighting between Vale Road and the northwest boundary of the former gasholder site be progressed through the tender and construction stages;

(2)            delegated authority be granted to the Director of Street Scene, Leisure and Technical Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Communities and local Ward Members, to amend the design to take into account any findings from the ecological appraisal and any further comments from external bodies including the Environment Agency and Kent Wildlife Trust;  and

(3)            a project budget as set out in the report and funded in full via developer contributions, be approved.

Cabinet recommendation CB 25/65 (4) of 3 June 2025 in respect of the Riverside Lighting Scheme, Tonbridge and seeking approval to transfer to List A of the Capital Plan.

Background papers considered by Cabinet are available on the website.

Consideration was given to the recommendation of Cabinet in respect of a List C Capital Plan Evaluation for the Riverside Route Lighting Project, Tonbridge.   

Due regard was given to the views of the Finance, Regeneration and Property Scrutiny Select Committee and Cabinet and on the grounds that the principle of this project had already been approved, Cllr Boughton proposed, Cllr Coffin seconded and Council

RESOLVED:  That the Scheme be transferred to List A of the Capital Plan.

Consideration of recommendations of the Finance, Regeneration and Property Scrutiny Select Committee in respect of the Riverside Improvement Project in Tonbridge.

Recommendations of the Scrutiny Select Committee are to follow

Consideration was given to the recommendations of the Finance, Regeneration and Property Scrutiny Select Committee in respect of a List C Capital Plan Evaluation for riverside lighting between Town Lock and Vale Road in Tonbridge.  The  report sought approval to move the project forward for construction later in the calendar year and requested that Cabinet recommend to Council that the scheme be transferred to List A of the Capital Plan.

Cabinet had due regard to the views of the Scrutiny Select Committee, the feasibility study report (Annex 2) and the Capital Plan Evaluation (Annex 1) and welcomed the provision of high-quality lighting for pedestrians, the opportunity to create a safe and secure environment and reduce crime. The lack of lighting, combined with a narrow path lined with trees and shrubbery and unprotected river edge, made this an uninviting section of the route.

Discussions had taken place with Kent County Council Public Rights of Way and it was confirmed that lighting might be installed on the route using powers under s161 of the Public Health Act 1875.

On the grounds of enhancing the area and improving safety of pedestrians, Cllr Mehmet proposed, seconded by Cllr Taylor and Cabinet

RESOLVED:   That

(1)            Phase 1 of the project be taken forward through the design stages up to and including the preparation of tender documents;

(2)            the use of the Borough Council’s powers under s161 of the Public Health Act 1875 for the delivery of the project, with agreement from Kent County Councils Public Rights of Way Team, be authorised; and

(3)            arrangement be made for Members to have physical sight of the likely intended lighting columns by means of a demonstration in a low light at a future meeting or a site visit.

*RECOMMENDED:  That

(4)            the scheme be transferred to List A of the Capital Plan.

*Recommended to Council

(Decision Notice D250054CAB)

Consideration was given to the recommendations of the Finance, Regeneration and Property Scrutiny Select Committee in respect of a List C Capital Plan Evaluation for riverside lighting between Town Lock and Vale Road in Tonbridge.  The  report sought approval to move the project forward for construction later in the calendar year and requested that Cabinet recommend to Council that the scheme be transferred to List A of the Capital Plan.

Cabinet had due regard to the views of the Scrutiny Select Committee, the feasibility study report (Annex 2) and the Capital Plan Evaluation (Annex 1) and welcomed the provision of high-quality lighting for pedestrians, the opportunity to create a safe and secure environment and reduce crime. The lack of lighting, combined with a narrow path lined with trees and shrubbery and unprotected river edge, made this an uninviting section of the route.

Discussions had taken place with Kent County Council Public Rights of Way and it was confirmed that lighting might be installed on the route using powers under s161 of the Public Health Act 1875.

On the grounds of enhancing the area and improving safety of pedestrians, Cllr Mehmet proposed, seconded by Cllr Taylor and Cabinet

RESOLVED:   That

(1)            Phase 1 of the project be taken forward through the design stages up to and including the preparation of tender documents;

(2)            the use of the Borough Council’s powers under s161 of the Public Health Act 1875 for the delivery of the project, with agreement from Kent County Councils Public Rights of Way Team, be authorised; and

(3)            arrangement be made for Members to have physical sight of the likely intended lighting columns by means of a demonstration in a low light at a future meeting or a site visit.

*RECOMMENDED:  That

(4)            the scheme be transferred to List A of the Capital Plan.

*Recommended to Council

This report brings forward a List C Capital Plan Evaluation for the Riverside Route Lighting project between Town Lock and Vale Road, Tonbridge and seeks approval to move the project forward for construction later in this calendar year.

Due to its size the Stage 2 Lighting Feasibility Study (Annex 2) is published as a supplement.

The report brought forward a List C Capital Plan Evaluation  for riverside lighting between Town Lock and Vale Road in Tonbridge and sought approval to move the project forward for construction later in the calendar year.

Members considered the feasibility study report (Annex 2) and the Capital Plan Evaluation (Annex 1) and welcomed the provision of high-quality lighting for pedestrians and the opportunity to create a safe and secure environment and reduce crime. The lack of lighting,  combined with a narrow path lined with trees and shrubbery and unprotected river edge, made this an uninviting area and there had been a long-term aspiration from successive Ward Members to improve safety along this section of the riverside route. 

Discussions had taken place with Kent County Council Public Rights of Way and it was confirmed that lighting may be installed on the route using powers under s161 of the Public Health Act 1875.

The Committee was assured that lighting levels would be consistent but would be low to protect and maintain the environment for wildlife, such as bats. The  feasibility study provided a guide that developers should follow.  In addition, comments from Kent Police would be reflected in the scheme. 

On the grounds of understanding whether the introduction of a lighting scheme would impact local residents, Cllr Rhodes proposed that Members should have physical sight of the likely intended lighting columns by means of a demonstration in a low light at a future meeting of the Committee. This was seconded by Cllr Cannon and supported by the majority of Members.

Subsequent to the vote and for reasons of practicality it was agreed that a future meeting of the Committee could mean a visit to the project site.        

*RECOMMENDED:   That

(1)            Phase 1 of the project be taken forward through the design stages up to and including the preparation of tender documents;

(2)            the scheme be transferred to List A of the Capital Plan;

(3)            the use of the Borough Council’s powers under s161 of the Public Health Act 175 for the delivery of the project, with agreement from Kent County Councils Public Rights of Way Team, be authorised; and

(4)            Members had physical sight of the likely intended lighting columns by means of a demonstration in a low light at a future meeting or a site visit.

*Recommended to Cabinet – Council Decision