County Council admits traffic ban signs are faulty
CONTROVERSIAL traffic signs on the Mount Pleasant Road bus lane have been found to be non-compliant with regulations as Kent County Council (KCC) have confirmed the “fault with our signage”. Meanwhile, questions remain about the scheme’s safety for pedestrians and issues with warning letters. According to the ‘Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016’ legislation, […]
Town traffic ban leads to fines of more than £200k in 30 days
FINES issued by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council (TWBC) to motorists travelling along the restricted bus lane on Mount Pleasant Road have totalled £210,000 in just 25 days. Despite this massive tally, confusion still reigns among drivers over the exact nature of the restrictions. Three thousand Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) of £70 each were issued to […]
Six seats up for grabs as local councillors step down or move
SIXTEEN of the Borough Council’s 48 seats are to be contested this May in an election notable for the movement of councillors: either leaving the Council or, in one case, moving to another ward. Six councillors are stepping down, including Cllr Linda Hall (Conservative – Goudhurst and Lamberhurst), first elected in May 2007, Planning Committee […]
CEO of town’s largest employer steps down
THE CEO of Tunbridge Wells’ largest employer has stepped down with almost immediate effect, staff learned last week. Tracy Garrad of AXA Health announced her resignation to staff last week, and will be stepping down at the end of the month. AXA Health said: “After four successful years as the Chief Executive of AXA Health, […]
The Forum receives grant from grassroots music venues scheme
THE Forum has received a grant of over £4,000 for ‘futureproofing’ upgrades, thanks to a music charity’s ‘pipeline’ fund for small venues and the grassroots music and artists they support. The Music Venue Trust (MVT) set up the Pipeline Investment Fund in 2022, to ‘secure the long-term future’ of what it called ‘iconic’ grassroots music […]
Water company offers charities £100,000 cash after taps ran dry
CHARITIES are to be handed payments totalling £100,000 by South East Water. The money comes in the form of a ‘contribution to the community’ reflecting the disruption and distress caused in the ten-day lead up to Christmas when the supply network broke down. From today (February 22), registered charities can submit a request for cash […]
Town sends relief aid to Ukraine including medical equipment
A lorry loaded with £150,000 worth of emergency aid from the people of Tunbridge Wells and beyond was due to arrive in Ukraine yesterday (Tuesday). More than 50 volunteers turned up on Saturday to help load supplies that had a special emphasis on re-stocking liberated Kherson with medical equipment. Working through its network of Ukrainians […]
Theatre gets over ‘bump in the road’ and is now set to hit target
TRINITY Theatre is on track to raise £100,000 by the end of this month and save the venue from closure. As of yesterday (February 7), the total stood at over £42,500, with nearly £9,000 in Gift Aid. “We look very, very likely to get over this bump in the road,” said Chief Executive Nick Mowat […]
Theatre bounces back from brink after desperate plea for funding
FINANCIALLY troubled arts venue Trinity has been rescued – at least for now – within a week of launching a crowdfunder that drew an ‘incredible’ response from the public. The theatre now faces a ‘robust’ financial makeover if it is to survive. Residents were shocked last week when it was revealed that the community arts […]
Water company: ‘We are so sorry!’
SOUTH East Water (SEW) has apologised to residents in Tunbridge Wells and promised to focus on ‘doing all we can’ to prevent supply issues in the future, after thousands were left without water in the run-up to Christmas. The water company has also now promised compensation for the households affected. Supply issues began during the […]
