Plans to regenerate Tonbridge High Street and boost the local economy by enhancing the historic area, tackling traffic congestion and improving air quality go on show at Tonbridge Castle from Friday 6 February.

Local residents and businesses are being invited to view an exhibition of the £2.37million scheme, which has been funded by the Government’s ‘Local Growth Fund’ for transport projects.

The scheme has been developed by Kent County Council and Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council, and endorsed by the local Joint Transportation Board, which reviews and comments on the borough’s highways issues.

Work on the improvements are planned to start later this year. The works will use high quality materials to generally upgrade the environment of the High Street and will include the following:

• widening pavements
• high quality street furniture
• high quality local signage
• improving the road surface
• defined delivery areas
• a 20mph speed limit
• potential for new cycle routes

Kent County Council Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport, David Brazier, said: “These measures will provide a pleasant, pedestrian friendly environment, and reduce interruptions to through traffic, improving air quality and improving bus journey times.”

Leader of Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council, Nicolas Heslop, said: “This £2.37million investment in Tonbridge High Street that we have worked hard to achieve is great news for the town.

“A quality scheme to enhance the High Street will build upon our efforts to help the vitality of the town centre and support the priority for economic regeneration.

“I hope people will come along to the public exhibition to find out how the planned improvements will benefit residents, businesses and visitors.”

The ‘Local Growth Fund’ was awarded through the South East Local Enterprise Partnership, which brings together key leaders from business, local government, further and higher education to explore opportunities for business and address barriers to growth.

Peter Jones CBE, Chairman, South East Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “Walking along Tonbridge high street you can see the impact this work will have. High streets are changing and Tonbridge is poised to take advantage. These improvements will encourage new business and boost local jobs. They will show just what can be achieved by excellent local councils and businesses working together for growth.”

The public exhibition of the Tonbridge High Street Regeneration Scheme will be held on Friday 6 and Saturday 7 February at:

Tonbridge Castle
Castle Street
Tonbridge
Kent TN9 1BG

Officers will be on hand to answer questions on Friday 6 February, between 10am to 4pm, and again on Saturday 7 February, between 10am and 2pm.

Around 100 local businesses will be visited by officers, who will explain the benefits of scheme.

Further details will be available online from Friday 6 February, at: www.tonbridgehighstreet.org