FAQs
- investing in and improving standards for active travel schemes across England
- integrating active travel in the planning and development system focusing on inclusivity and accessibility and giving people from all walks of life the opportunity to try active travel
- helping councils to access state of the art data and analysis to use in active travel planning and design
- Wednesday 2 September 2026, 3-7pm – Rackliff Centre, Rusthall Fire Station, 26 Lower Green Rd, Tunbridge Wells TN4 8TE
- Thursday 3 September 2026, 2-6pm – Langton Green Village Hall, Winstone Scott Avenue, Langton Green TN3 0JJ
What is the project and who will benefit?
The project looks to deliver a series of measures that would make the links between Langton Green, Rusthall, the Commons and Royal Tunbridge Wells safer for walking, wheeling (e.g. wheelchairs, mobility scooters, or children’s buggies) and cycling. This would benefit local residents who want to walk, wheel or cycle shorter journeys, for example, to school or the shops, as well as improving access to green spaces in the town including Tunbridge Wells and Rusthall Commons.
How far has the project got?
For full details, please refer to the Project Timeline page.
Active Travel England funding was awarded to Tunbridge Wells Borough Council to develop designs for walking, wheeling and cycling improvements between Langton Green, Rusthall, the Commons and Royal Tunbridge Wells.
Following public engagement on the route proposals in Autumn 2025, the Rusthall phase of the route was prioritised for detailed design. This first phase has since secured delivery funding and is due to begin construction in Autumn 2026.
Guided walks for the remaining sections of the route were held in June 2026 with residents, councillors and other local stakeholders, and the designs have since been updated following feedback and further site visits.
Feedback from this engagement will help inform the next stage of design for the remainder of the route, which may be delivered in future phases as funding becomes available.
Can I read a summary report of feedback that was provided during the previous engagement period (Autumn 2025)?
A summary report of the feedback received during the previous round of engagement is available here: https://democracy.tunbridgewells.gov.uk/mgConvert2PDF.aspx?ID=81641
How is the project being funded?
The design work has been funded by Active Travel England (ATE). ATE is a public-sector body, sponsored by the Department for Transport that has the goal of increasing the number of local journeys being walked, wheeled or cycled by 2030.
They are seeking to do this by:
You can find more information about Active Travel England at the following link: https://www.activetravelengland.gov.uk/
Where can I learn more about Phase 1 (Rusthall)? Is this going ahead?
Following feedback received during the Autumn 2025 engagement, Phase 1 (Rusthall High Street and surrounding area) was prioritised and taken forward to detailed design.
Funding from Active Travel England (via KCC) for the delivery of this phase has now been confirmed, and construction is provisionally scheduled for Autumn 2026.
We are aware that construction can be disruptive, and we are working to minimise the impact on local residents and businesses as far as is possible. Information will be provided to residents and businesses as soon as it is available.
If you would like to be kept updated with information about Phase 1, please email business@tunbridgewells.gov.uk and we will be back in touch with details when these are available.
What does ‘wheeling’ refer to?
Wheeling refers to people that use wheelchairs or mobility scooters but also those who walk with their children in buggies.
Could the money be spent on fixing potholes?
No, the funding is only available from Active Travel England for investing in safer walking, wheeling and cycling projects. Kent County Council is responsible for maintaining the roads including filling-in potholes.
What else is the Council doing to improve transport across the borough, including reducing congestion?
The Council works with Kent County Council and many other partners (for example bus companies) to seek to improve transport and access to goods and services across the borough. This project is part of wider plans to improve walking and cycling routes in Tunbridge Wells. The Council is also preparing a Town Centre Plan for Royal Tunbridge Wells which will consider transport issues across the area, including addressing congestion. One of the ways in which congestion can be reduced is by providing safer routes that allow people to chose to walk, wheel or cycle their shorter journeys.
Does the scheme involve any permanent road closures?
No, but it does include some features that are designed to reduce traffic speeds to enable safer walking, wheeling and cycling.
Will the scheme have a negative impact on emergency and waste services?
The measures included in the scheme will be designed to ensure access is available for public transport, emergency vehicles and recycling and waste vehicles that provide vital services for local people.
Why this area (and not others)?
The Council has received funding from Active Travel England to design a number of walking, wheeling and cycling schemes. These are based on the network set out in the Tunbridge Wells Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) which can be seen at the following link: https://tunbridgewells.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/385329/01_LCWIP-Phase-1-March-2021.pdf.
TWBC seeks to develop scheme designs when funding becomes available and always in partnership with Kent County Council, as the highway authority.
Does this scheme link up to other parts of RTW?
The LCWIP and wider work on the Tunbridge Wells Adopted Local Plan and Local Plan Review seek to create safer routes for walking, wheeling and cycling across the town as well as links to the area around it.
Why does it not include a link across the Commons?
Tunbridge Wells and Rusthall Commons are managed by the Commons Conservators under the provisions of the 1981 County of Kent Act. The Conservators have a statutory duty to safeguard the Commons, supported by a range of byelaws, including one that prohibits cycling. As the Commons are a registered Village Green, the Conservators are also prohibited from authorising any works that could damage the land or interfere with its use by the community for sports, recreation, and other pastimes.
You can find more information about the Commons at the following link: https://twcommons.org/.
Will there be any damage to the Commons ecology?
No, the Commons Conservators have provided advice on the proposed route and it avoids areas of the Common with sensitive ecology e.g. adjacent to The Tarry Path in Rusthall.
Further ecological and arboricultural surveys will be undertaken during the next stage of design to help refine the proposals and ensure sensitive habitats and trees are protected, including through the use of appropriate construction methods where required.
Will I receive a response to my feedback or comments?
All the feedback we receive will be taken into account when moving forward with the project, but we will not be able to respond directly to all those that comment. You are warmly invited to join us at two in-person drop-in events where you will be able to view the updated plans in person, ask questions, and discuss the proposals directly with Council officers. These sessions will also provide those that attend an opportunity to share feedback:
We want to give you confidence that your views will help shape the final proposals.
How can I stay up to date with the progress of these proposals?
We are committed to keeping you informed as this project progresses and updated designs become available. To ensure that you don’t miss any updates, we recommend signing up to the TWBC Residents’ Email Newsletter, where the latest news and developments on this project will be shared. You can subscribe to this newsletter here: www.twbc.online/alerts