PRESS RELEASE: Results of 2023 Public Consultation relating to Sevenoaks Town Wide 20 mph Signage Scheme

Published: 12 March 2024

Sevenoaks Town Council had prepared a report relating to the 2023 public consultation and including independent analyses for the Joint Transportation Board (JTB) and it was thought the information would be provided to the public via this source.

The JTB has now stated that it will not consider the report or Sevenoaks Town Council recommendation. The Town Council has been informed that the Chair of the JTB will prepare her own report.

Sevenoaks Town Council’s Report including the independent professional consultant’s analyses will now be considered by the Town Council’s Planning Committee on Monday 18th March 2024. The report is part of the Planning Committee’s public papers.

The headlines from the Sevenoaks Town Council’s and independent consultants are:
Sevenoaks Town Council’s Recommendation: KCC accept the public’s majority response, being positive and move forward with the scheme as designed.

Question 1 – Do you support 20 mph limits in residential roads and roads in close proximity to schools?

% INDICATING YES	Number of consultees of total answering 2,524	% of total answering 2,524
Consultees living in Sevenoaks Town only	1,166	74%
Consultees living in Sevenoaks District Council boundary but excluding Sevenoaks Town	418	52%
Consultees living outside Sevenoaks District Council boundary	84	64%

 Total consultees responding to Q1 including those outside of Sevenoaks town indicated Yes = 66% and No = 34%

 

Cllr Tony Clayton, Leader of Sevenoaks Town Council said: “Given the strong support, 74% for the principle and 61% for all elements of the scheme shown by town residents (see above), the overall balance of support shown by all respondents and that Sevenoaks Town Council have agreed to fund its implementation, JTB and Kent Highways should really be progressing this scheme.”

 

Question 2 – Do you support the proposal for a 20 mph limit for most of central Sevenoaks including schools?

% INDICATING YES	Number of consultees of total answering 2,525	% of total answering 2,525
Consultees living in Sevenoaks Town only	965	61%
Consultees living in Sevenoaks District Council boundary but excluding Sevenoaks Town	303	38%
Consultees living outside Sevenoaks District Council boundary	67	48%

 Total consultees responding to Q2 including those outside of Sevenoaks town indicated Yes = 53% and No = 47%.

 

Overall support for Q1 & Q2 including those outside of Sevenoaks town indicated – Support for both proposals 52%, Support one of the proposals 14%, do not support either proposal 34%.


Linda Larter MBE
Chief Executive & Town Clerk