Two mile Sevenoaks cycling and walking route will link eight schools

A 2.4 mile route for walking and cycling is proposed for Sevenoaks. The 'Sevenoaks Town East to West' would create safe routes to eight schools and local facilities.

The route would link Trinity, Weald of Kent and Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys in the east, with Amherst and Riverhead schools in the west. It also passes Knole Academy, Sevenoaks Primary and Walthamstow Junior schools.

It is also aimed at 'wheelers', a term for those who are on scooters, parents with prams and wheelchair users. Sevenoaks District Council and Kent County Council secured a grant from the Government of £1.2million. Work is due to start this year.

The scheme is designed to encourage more "local school-related travel" on foot, wheels or bicycle. This should reduce the number of vehicles, lessen pressure on parking, and reduce the use of cut-throughs, said the council's Q&A.

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Sevenoaks District Council revised part of the route following consultation with residents, some of whom raised concerns about loss of parking spaces. It is now sharing its latest version and again wants the public's views.

The change which has been made is the route going through Cavendish Avenue, Oakdene Road, and Bradbourne Vale Road instead of Clockhouse Lane, Bradbourne Park and St James Road. The other change is that seven on-street parking spaces at the junction of Bradbourne Road and Bradbourne Vale Road will be relocated to Bradbourne Vale Road along with a further six.

The consultation opened on Friday and people have until midnight on Monday, June 3 to share their views. The route was drawn up with the help of transport experts Sustrans.

Sevenoaks District Council is also working on plans for further walking, wheeling and cycling routes linking Sevenoaks, Seal, Kemsing and Otford.

District council leader Julia Thornton said: “Encouraging our communities to use sustainable forms of travel is a top priority as we look to tackle the challenges of climate change in our district.

"This route will allow walkers and ‘wheelers’ to get from A to B more safely, while improving air quality and helping to cut the district’s carbon footprint. These safer routes will encourage more people to leave their cars at home, especially at busy school times, helping to reduce traffic congestion, so there is something for everyone."

“We are delighted there is strong support for our proposals and having carefully listened to our communities, we are proposing some minor changes to the route. We now want to give local people a final say before we move forward with our exciting plans.”

Kent County Council’s cabinet member for highways and transport Neil Baker, said: “It’s encouraging to see that already, many local people support the plans for the Sevenoaks town East to West sustainable travel route. It is vital for us that we take the time to listen to the views of residents so we can be sure we are doing the best thing for the area.

"I encourage residents to take this final opportunity to have their say on the latest plans.”

Where is the consultation?

You can have your say in the consultation here

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