I want to make sure everyone across Sevenoaks can choose cheaper, greener, and healthier travel. And, developing the right infrastructure to deliver this is critical.
Having successfully secured £1.2 million from the Government’s Active Travel fund last year, I am delighted that Sevenoaks District Council are currently consulting residents over the Sevenoaks east/west cycle, walking and wheeling route.
The bid forms part of the council’s ambition to cut the district’s carbon emissions to Net Zero by 2030 by making walking and cycling easier and safer which hopefully will encourage less cars – while also helping to improve our health and air quality while cutting our carbon footprint. I will continue to do all I can to support them in these efforts.
The walking, wheeling and cycling route would connects any of the town’s schools with the communities they serve, from Riverhead and Amherst Schools in the west with Trinity, Weald of Kent and Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys annexes in the east. The proposed route also goes via Sevenoaks Primary School and Walthamstow Hall Junior School and close to KnoleAcademy, the Granville School and Sevenoaks railway station.
I know many of you will have views to share on the proposals, so do please ensure your voice is heard by either completing the survey before it closes on Friday 14 July at: https://engagement.sevenoaks.gov.uk/strategic-planning/east-to-west/or attending a drop in session on the plans taking place at the Sevenoaks District Council offices on Argyle Road, Sevenoaks, TN13 1HG on Wednesday 12 July, 5pm to 8pm.
Once all views have been taken on board, the council will finalise the plans, with the route possibly open by the end of 2024 – so do watch this space for updates.
Personally, I hope this is just the start.
Residents of Otford will also remember my previous Transport Survey which I ran locally, and what was clear from the results was the huge support for a cycle route from Otford to Sevenoaks.
Having shared the survey results with STOCS (Sevenoaks to Otford Cycling Scheme) I am very encouraged that they have since also been working with Sevenoaks District Council to discuss the possible route options. Following the funding secured from the most recent round of Active Travel England, I am hopeful the council will soon be able to progress the scheme to a detailed design stage which will put us in a great position to bid for funding for the construction of the route soon.
Improving local transport infrastructure is one of my key election pledges so I will continue to support Sevenoaks District Council in their efforts and will keep you all updated with developments.
