New images have been revealed of the planned transformation of Amhurst Road and Pembury Circus in Hackney Central which will reduce traffic and improve safety for people walking and cycling create a 1,900sqm linear park and encourage people to spend more time in the area and support high street businesses.  The latest set of computer generated images now show detailed plans to tackle the dangerous Pembury Circus junction which is being completely redesigned to improve safety for people walking The Council recently completed its first project to create a greener, healthier Hackney Central, a new pocket park in Marvin St This project was proposed by local residents and has beautiful new trees and planting a dockless cycle hire bay and a loading bay for businesses.  The environmental-led transformation of Amhurst Road and Pembury Circus is one of the major projects in Hackney Central that are being delivered through a £19 million UK Government investment The projects have been designed with the input of thousands of local businesses and residents over the last five years the Council has hosted a series of in-person workshops drop-in events and conducted an online survey to identify what is most important to people who live or spend time in Hackney Central.  Safety for pedestrians and cyclists was a concern raised by many people particularly around the busy Pembury Circus junction – which saw 66 people suffer injuries in collisions in the five years up to 2022 The junction will now be completely redesigned with new crossings installed to reduce the risk of vehicle collisions with pedestrians and new banned turns to reduce the risk of other collisions The Council is also proposing advanced stop lines for cyclists to be able to wait ahead of other traffic as well as an early green light for cyclists on the Hackney Downs station and Pembury Road arms of the junction It is also working with Transport for London to add an additional early green light with a minimum four second delay for cyclists on the Dalston Lane (east) and Amhurst Road (west) arms of the junction Accessibility for those with more limited mobility was also an important concern and the plans have sought to make the junction accessible for all those walking and wheeling too.  so that motor traffic will be restricted along Amhurst Road between the junctions of Brett Road and Graham Road between 7am and 7pm blue badge holders with e-companion badges and business vehicles loading and unloading will be permitted to use the street during these hours These changes will help to reduce the amount of car traffic passing through Hackney Central and will also help to cut bus journey times and make it easier to change between buses and train stations in the town centre.  Reducing car traffic on Amhurst Road will make Pembury Circus junction safer for people walking The environmental improvements are designed to encourage more people to spend more time in the town centre helping to increase footfall for local businesses The transformation of Amhurst Road and Pembury Circus is a once-in-a-generation chance to create a greener This is part of a series of projects backed by £19m of UK Government funding We’ve spoken to thousands of residents over the past five years about their priorities for Hackney Central and our plans have been formed on the basis of what they’ve told us I’m continuing to have those conversations and listen to local people’s views so we can make Hackney Central one of the best town centres in the country The Council considered introducing ‘CYCLOPS’-style plans for Pembury Circus which would include cycle lanes around the perimeter of the junction however this would mean pedestrians would continue to need to use multiple crossings across roads and cycle lanes In seeking to provide improvements for both cyclists and pedestrians the Council is not proceeding with this option.  The existing cycle network includes a number of quiet routes running parallel to Pembury Circus junction along Navarino Road and Wayland Avenue and the Council is continuing to develop this network to support cycling in Hackney.  The transformation of the Hackney Central area is set to begin in the new year Changes to Pembury Circus and Amhurst Road are subject to a statutory consultation which will begin on 29 November Any objections or other representations about the traffic orders should be emailed to streetscene.consultations@hackney.gov.uk within 21 days from the beginning of the statutory consultation period All objections must specify the grounds on which they are made Videos showing the plans for the transformation of Pembury Circus and Amhurst Road are available online.  Sign up for the Hackney Central newsletter This was a non-injury collision involving two cars and which happened at around 7.15am Officers attended and the scene was clear by 8.20am The rush hour crash was between Kingswood Road and Bayhall Road junctions The westbound direction was partially blocked Traffic monitoring site Inrix said: "A264 Pembury Road Westbound blocked queueing traffic due to accident from Kingswood Road to Bayhall Road." KentLive contacted Kent Police about the incident One vehicle involved was left in Kingswood Road with damage to the front There was a white four by four also parked on Bayhall Road which looked as though it had also been involved There was debris from the turquoise car by the side of Pembury Road Follow our blog below for the latest updates as they happen Join our new WhatsApp community! Click this link to receive your daily dose of KentLive content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice Get more news from KentLive straight to your inbox for free HERE. And one of the vehicles parked around the corner in Kingswood Road Inrix has now confirmed that the A264 Pembury Road has been cleared following the earlier collision The crash has been removed from the westbound carriageway and traffic is easing in the area The full Inrix update states: "Road cleared and traffic easing accident cleared on A264 Pembury Road into town from Kingswood Road to Bayhall Road." KentLive has approached emergency services for further information Welcome to our live coverage of this breaking incident We will be bringing you all the latest updates relating to the reported collision on the A264 in Tunbridge Wells as we get them Do you have any information or photos? Email kentlivenewsdesk@reachplc.com Don't miss out on the biggest local stories.Sign up to our KentLive newsletter HERE for all the latest daily news and more. Green Street’s global news publications are not provided as an investment advisor nor in the capacity of a fiduciary  Our global organization maintains information barriers to ensure the independence of and distinction between our non-regulated and regulated businesses is authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN 482269) and a private limited company incorporated in England and Wales with company number 06471304 Campaigners’ efforts to overturn Hackney Council’s “dangerous” redesign of Pembury Circus were dealt a blow last night as councillors voted to keep the plans unchanged residents and councillors met on Monday at a special scrutiny meeting triggered by opposition members who were backed by the local branch of the London Cycling Campaign While those at odds with the council’s design were hoping the rare ‘call-in’ would force the cabinet to ask Active Travel England to review the plans in the end a majority of the scrutiny panel voted to uphold the officers’ original decision What we wanted was an independent review by experts and they wouldn’t grant even it,” a Hackney LCC spokesperson said cyclists and others had roundly criticised the council’s plans over fears that the proposals meant cyclists would have to share space with fast-moving and heavy motor vehicles Hackney LCC had put forward an alternative design commissioned by a “top” traffic engineer who works for another London borough segregated cycle paths in keeping with the international road safety strategy The group had also used the Junction Assessment Tool (JAT) to analyse the redesign’s safety looking at cycle movements and “potentials for conflict” Active Travel England states that road schemes must complete a JAT check on certain types of junctions Hackney Council’s design scored just 25 per cent Cllrs Zoë Garbett (Green) and Claudia Turbet-Delof (Independent Socialist) who had asked for the decision to be called-in spoke at the meeting in support of Hackney LCC They stressed that the objective was not to weigh the pros and cons of each design but to evaluate whether the council had “sufficiently” taken on concerns in its decision Cllr Garbett said: “We are responding to concerns raised to us by our constituents acting on evidence that’s been presented to us about the way this decision was taken to highlight the disastrous consequences of continuing with this decision as is “We’re not expecting [members] to be experts in safe road design you do share the responsibility for the decision taken “This is your opportunity to consider whether you truly believe that all has been done to deliver the best Vision Zero child-friendly design in line with our transport and climate policies.” a chartered civil engineer with highway expertise He argued that the council’s plan was not up to Active Travel England standards: “This is the sort of design we would have seen 20 years ago “Although pedestrians have controlled crossings the layout is nonetheless awkward for walking “Given the council secured a significant budget for the project there is an ideal opportunity for a complete redesign of the space “And given the objective and subjective safety issues cycling should be at the heart of such a design.” the campaign gathered momentum and support from residents and others who was fatally struck by a car in Homerton last year a 25-year-old woman who was knocked off her bike at the junction and treated for a serious head wound She voiced her opposition to the council’s plans “The road safety audit on the junction design found that the exact movement I made on that night is a known risk but the new design put forward by the council isn’t addressing that risk at all “Why pass a design that ignores not just a known risk but the one that caused my accident and is likely to cause many others when there is an option that would eliminate it altogether?” she asked Members also heard from supporters of the current junction plan from the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) criticised the campaign’s alternative plans over their complexity arguing that it would endanger partially-sighted or blind pedestrians and their guide dogs by making it harder to navigate crossings Hackney resident and ex-councillor Vincent Stops also spoke in favour of the council’s proposal “I want to challenge the notion that there is nothing in the current design for cycling and cyclists “Removing traffic volume by 35 per cent will mean fewer collisions—the proposal does that by restricting general traffic from Amhurst Road East “A third of the area of the junction will become footway area the alignment will slow motor traffic through the junction “An unrecognised and key safety issue is that all road layouts should be intuitive and self-explaining “All users will be far clearer as to where they should be on the road Contrast that with the confusion and chaos of the Hackney LCC proposal,” he said assistant director of Streetscene for the borough defended the decision-making process which had produced the controversial design “We know there are strong and often differing views on any highway scheme and in particular on this one “Developing proposals is a balancing act We have to weigh up different considerations and needs based on technical data and professional judgment “If there’s a question about whether or not I’ve considered the evidence put forward by stakeholders “We met with Hackney LCC in the winter they put forward their view that there should be protected separated cycling lanes at this junction.” Linton explained that consultants had drawn up a scheme that accounted for segregated cycle paths but that after a “multi-criteria” assessment he argued that the design had been considered with other tools in line with Local Transport Note (LTN) 1/20—government guidance that local authorities use to plan cycling infrastructure Scrutiny members quizzed officers and representatives from the Hackney LCC before deliberating in private they voted to uphold the council’s original decision by a clear majority of five to one While this means that the design will move on to the public consultation phase campaigners and councillors had hoped for more Cllr Garbett said: “We know that there is a consultation period We will be looking to get as many expert contributions to that only the council can call Active Travel England to do a review and we’re really disappointed that the majority of the scrutiny panel didn’t vote for that option “I think residents will be really disappointed with that.” said opposition members simply wanted to be fully assured of the design’s safety for all “We don’t want to go back to an old system and we were just asking for one more assessment so that we could all agree.” suggested the debate had become too polarised “It’s not a simple decision about bike lanes versus no bike lanes There’s a whole raft of issues around it all,” he said But one outcome of the meeting was that scrutiny chair asked how council officers could consider including a JAT assessment of the design in their upcoming consultation process cycling campaigners welcomed this small reprieve An HCC spokesperson said: “I’m pleased that the chair asked officers to run the JAT for Pembury Circus junction “We expect the result of that assessment in the consultation as that will show just how poor their design is for cyclists’ safety.” Update: this article was amended at 11.10am on 15 November 2024 The story previously stated that the council had been asked to use the ‘JAT’ tool during the consultation but Hackney Council said this is not technically the case the chair was only asking how they could ‘consider’ using the assessment Sign up to our daily newsletter for all the latest Kent stories and breaking news delivered straight to your inbox Thank you for subscribing!We have more newsletters often referred to as the Garden of England Even those not from Kent are likely familiar with Dover Canterbury and Rochester - some of our most renowned spots these popular destinations can sometimes overshadow other hidden treasures A prime example is the delightful village of Pembury While the spa town draws in visitors from all corners due to its bustling centre filled with quaint shops and activities its neighbouring village tends to be somewhat overlooked Pembury has recently been recognised as one of the best places to live in the country According to a comprehensive league table by Garrington Property Finders this charming settlement ranks as the third-best place to live in Kent only surpassed by Southborough and Tunbridge Wells this corner of the county is highly desirable securing the 113th spot out of over 1,400 contenders it's an area that exudes a strong sense of community despite having a considerable population of around 5,700 people While it may not boast grand attractions like its neighbour's The Pantiles this place has plenty to offer for a day trip or even an extended stay Nestled in the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty it's no surprise that the village is brimming with lush green spaces and surrounded by stunning rolling countryside the village green and high street are recognised as a conservation area making it an ideal spot for leisurely strolls amidst picturesque scenery Pembury is home to a selection of delightful independent businesses including the long-standing Downingbury Farm Shop and Café on Maidstone Road you can discover a fantastic range of fresh produce predominantly sourced from local Kent and Sussex suppliers Whether you're after prime cuts of meat or fancy creating a custom hamper of local specialities the village also boasts a large Tesco superstore no British locale would be complete without a top-notch pub - and Pembury has several to choose from One of the most beloved spots in town is the Black Horse on High Street a quintessentially English pub that's become a local favourite for its hearty home-cooked meals With an impressive 4.5-star rating on TripAdvisor from over 400 reviews it's clear this cosy establishment knows how to please its patrons has been dubbed "fabulous" by satisfied diners One pleased customer gushed: "The servings of the numerous meats were extremely generous and all of the vegetables were delicious." They added: "Every individual element of our experience was simply outstanding." Another contented guest boasted: "So smug that this is our local Lovely traditional pub with a big log fire." the King William IV pub is just a stone's throw away and well worth a visit Since becoming an independent free house in 2018 after being rescued from conversion into housing by a family-owned company it has blossomed into a true pillar of the community enjoy a curated selection of fine wines and spirits and relax in the spacious beer garden when the sun decides to grace us with its presence The pub is also known for its live music events offering the perfect backdrop for a night out in the village Pembury isn't just known for its idyllic countryside and excellent pubs it's also the birthplace of a true music icon the late lead singer of London Irish punk/folk band The Pogues was born in the village on Christmas Day 1957 The area has also produced several professional cricketers If you're tempted to extend your visit One such establishment is the Mercure Tunbridge Wells a four-star hotel uniquely set around a stunning 18th-century oast house Its beautiful location has made it a popular choice for weddings and it can also be hired for private functions and parties Another option is the award-winning Camden Arms restaurant and bar that's equally suited to a Sunday lunch or a romantic break this highly-regarded family-run business caters to all needs If you're considering making a permanent move here you'll be glad to know that property prices are quite reasonable properties in the village were sold for an average of £492,108 over the past year This is significantly lower than the average property prices in neighbouring Tunbridge Wells which stood at £558,188 during the same period If you're just planning a brief visit the village offers free car parking at Tesco although this is exclusively for customers The village is conveniently located just off the A21 and A228 Story SavedYou can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right Hackney cyclists are lobbying the council to change its new design for Pembury Circus claiming it would “put lives at risk” the Town Hall announced plans for a “green corridor” running through Hackney Central aiming to reduce vehicle pollution and make “one of the borough’s most dangerous junctions” safer with the aim of minimising the risk of vehicles colliding with pedestrians and “less potential cycle/pedestrian conflict” But the local branch of the London Cycling Campaign (LCC) has poured cold water on the proposals In a post on X (formerly Twitter) last Friday Hackney Cycling Campaign (HCC) attacked the “weak” plans which it said would still force cyclists to share space with fast-moving and heavy motor vehicles “This is not how you make streets safer,” the group added A campaign spokesperson told the Citizen that HCC’s “deep concerns” raise doubts about the Town Hall’s commitment to road safety and Vision Zero—the goal to eliminate deaths and serious injuries on London’s roads by 2041 [the council] plans to move forward with a design that leaves cyclists of all ages and abilities vulnerable Vision Zero-compliant alternative is achievable,” they said “We have presented [the council] with a design from a leading traffic engineer who has a track record of successfully delivering safer junctions “Our design guarantees that people cycling won’t mix at all with motor vehicles significantly improving safety while also enhancing bus flow at the junction “Hackney Council’s refusal to implement this safer option is nothing short of negligent “If the mayor’s statements on road safety and the council’s own policies are to carry any weight Vision Zero is an international road safety strategy which aims to create roadway systems that cause zero fatalities or serious injuries due to road traffic The strategy’s first principle is that road deaths are “unacceptable and preventable” the Town Hall said there had been 229 road traffic collisions between Mare Street and Pembury Circus including 25 serious incidents and two fatalities deputy mayor and cabinet member for regeneration said the council was committed to delivering safe cycling infrastructure “Hackney has the highest number of residents cycling to work in London and the second highest number in England “The commitment to creating a safe cycling network in the borough is part of the reason why Amhurst Road itself is being re-designed alongside making the Pembury Circus junction which has seen 66 collisions involving injuries in the five years up to 2022 “The council will continue its work with residents interest groups and local businesses as the project progresses “We are making Pembury Circus junction safer we commission an independent road safety audit of the designs and of the scheme after it’s been built.” HCC’s plans have also attracted criticism ex-councillor and former chair of the Town Hall planning committee called the alternative designs “extraordinary” “Their plans essentially take bicycles and run them round on the pavement which is an extraordinary proposal,” he said particularly disabled and older pedestrians.” Stops wrote: “Keep death off the road older and disabled people will have at this junction Designed by entitled cyclists for entitled cyclists It will certainly be a circus ride!” Stops told the Citizen that the council’s plans were sensible “What they’re doing is closing the junction down It’s certainly [heading] in the right direction.” The HCC spokesperson dismissed Stops’ approach as “widely outdated and discredited” “It is not the approach advocated by cycling organisations such as London Cycling Campaign and Cycling UK and is not the type of infrastructure that funding bodies (Active Travel England and TfL) build “His approach goes against much of the national design guidance for cycling infrastructure (LTN 1/20),” they added Cllr Alastair Binnie-Lubbock (Green) also weighed in on the plans He posted on social media: “This needs the utmost scrutiny and community engagement “I almost died once on that junction as I followed a van though a green light I was about to overtake it when it T-boned a car that went into railings on a pedestrian island on two wheels!” Cllr Binnie-Lubbock said he would raise the matter with the council’s cabinet Mayor Caroline Woodley has been interim lead on transport since Cllr Mete Coban stepped down after being appointed deputy mayor of London for environment and energy Cllr Sarah Young was recently announced as the new cabinet member for transport and environment and is expected to formally take over the brief this month Mayor Woodley was accused by Binnie-Lubbock of “insulting the electorate” after turning down an invite to a hustings hosted by HCC during the Hackney mayoral election campaign she told the Citizen she had “enormous respect” for the work of HCC “We have taken huge strides in recent years to support sustainable transport and make our streets safer and I am committed to continuing that work “I want to engage with the widest possible range of people over the course of this campaign and will keep getting out on the doorstep as much as possible and my door is open to them regarding issues they’d like to discuss.” a self-described critic of cycling infrastructure joined the chorus of voices asking for more engagement from the mayor’s office Addressing Woodley directly on social media Petty said campaigners had been requesting an urgent meeting for several months “During your election campaign you told us your door was open to us—but apparently not and irreparably damage the borough’s Vision Zero credentials It cannot be allowed to fall between the cracks due to cabinet member turnover “Please meet with us before any decision is taken—we urgently need political leadership on this.” caused "heavy traffic" from Beech Lane to the A21 Blue Boys Roundabout It was first reported by traffic monitoring site Inrix at 10.43am and the road did not reopen until around 2.30pm But the nature of the incident is still not yet known KentLive has approached emergency services for further information but has not yet had a response We will update our blog below as soon as we can Never get stuck in a jam again with our FREE traffic and travel email for KentLive readers. Find out more here. The road is now open and traffic has returned to normal. The nature of the incident is still not yet known. KentLive has contacted the emergency services for further information and will update our blog as soon as we can. Comments15:25Hedi MehrezTemporary traffic lightsTemporary traffic lights are in place, according to Inrix. Drivers continue to experience delays in the area. Comments14:32Hedi MehrezQueueing traffic but road reopens There is queueing traffic on A21 in both directions from Beech Lane to A21 (Blue Boys Roundabout). The incident happened In the roadworks area. The road has now been reopened. Comments12:14Hedi MehrezLong delaysA map shows long delays in the area. The road remains closed in both directions due to the 'medical emergency'. Comments12:08Hedi MehrezWelcome to our live coverageWelcome to our live coverage of this breaking incident We will be bringing you all the latest updates as we get them Hackney Council has rejected cyclists’ alternative designs for a revamped Pembury Circus in a move campaigners have called “unbelievable” the local branch of London Cycling Campaign has lobbied the Town Hall to change its plan for the junction intersecting Amhurst Road and Pembury Circus Hackney Cycling Campaign (HCC) proposed an alternative design which would include protected cycle paths installed on the heavily trafficked junction the council released its point-by-point response to objections from the campaign group citing “significant shortcomings” of HCC’s proposal It also stated the alternative had already been “conceptualised” by the Town Hall “albeit with slight variations” An HCC spokesperson said the decision to reject its design option was “deeply disappointing” “The council has approved a design for Pembury Junction that unnecessarily removes a vital pedestrian crossing across a busy road is slower than necessary for bus passengers and relegates cyclist safety to a mere afterthought following the deaths of three cyclists on Hackney’s roads ‘We can do so much more to make Hackney’s streets safer’ one year on—almost to the day—she has approved a design that falls far short of that promise a female cyclist was left for dead by a hit-and-run driver at this very junction Hackney Council will completely redesign the junction but fail to include measures to prevent the exact same incident from repeating.” A spokesperson also claimed the council’s response had mislabelled their option as a ‘CYCLOPS’ design “Our preferred design is also substantially different from the ‘CYCLOPS’ design the council commissioned and then rejected “It would be more accurately called a ‘Circulating Cycle Stage Junction’ similar to several already in operation around London The approach resolves the issues which led the council to reject their ‘CYCLOPS’ design.” The spokesperson also said the group is calling on the incoming cabinet member for transport to invite Active Travel England to independently assess the council’s proposals alongside the alternative design The woman injured in the incident last December also criticised the Town Hall’s proposed redesign in an interview with the Standard last week was knocked off her bike by a car and left unconscious for five hours and treated for a head wound She said the council’s plans were a “missed opportunity” and has written to Mayor Caroline Woodley urging her to reconsider She told the Standard: “They’re going to close a major junction in Hackney which thousands of people use on a daily basis just to paint a cycle lane that is not going to protect cyclists at all I just think it’s a massive wasted opportunity they’re not going to change the road layout again for another 40 years I think they could make much more effort to protect cyclists.” Mayor Woodley’s reply to Schergna emphasised the council’s plans for ‘banned turns’ to stop cyclists and vehicles from clashing and “new crossings installed to also decrease the risk of vehicle collisions with pedestrians” “We are also proposing advanced stop lines for cyclists to be able to wait ahead of other traffic as well as an early green light for cyclists on the Dalston Lane (south) and Pembury Road arms of the junction,” she said Claudia’s intervention follows several others voices who have joined debate around the junction, including the parents of Harry Webb a student who was tragically struck and killed on his bike in Homerton last September Pat and Mike Webb said the plans would see a “once-in-a-generation opportunity being squandered” a reporter for Politico who also runs a YouTube channel devoted to London’s cycle routes criticised the council’s current plans on X He posted: “Personally agree Amhurst Rd itself will be much improved but the junction will remain pretty grim that bit is a very weird way to spend so much money when a much better design is available from @hackney_cycling and they just shouldn’t be building junctions like that in 2024.” Mayor Caroline Woodley told the Citizen that the approved plans involved “extensive engagement” with residents and were informed by the need to reduce pedestrian crossings “The plans will result in a complete redesign of the junction with ‘banned turns’ to prevent cyclists and vehicles from clashing more space for pedestrians and new crossings installed to also decrease the risk of vehicle collisions with pedestrians as well as an early green light for cyclists on the Dalston Lane (south) and Pembury Road arms of the junction “While the proposals put forward by Hackney Cycling Campaign do have benefits for cyclists they would mean pedestrians would continue to need to use multiple crossings across roads and cycle lanes the council has sought to provide benefits for everyone using the junction.” the junction has seen 44 people injured in traffic collisions in the immediate area the council said there were 229 road traffic collisions between Mare Street and Pembury Circus since 2017 Update: this article was amended at 11am on 16 October 2024 to include comment from HCC on the council’s description of the campaign’s design as a ‘CYCLOPS’ roundabout Sign up for a weekly travel round up and all the latest breaking news from the roads rails and beyond delivered straight to your inbox Roadworks on the A264 Pembury Road on Mount Ephraim and also on North Farm Road have seen motorists stuck in jams across the town UK Power Networks is responsible for the Pembury Road works while SGN is behind the A26 London Road works on Mount Ephraim are being carried out by A & H Construction and they could be there for up to six weeks These works are on behalf of a developer as part of an agreement with Kent Highways On Wednesday (March 5) during rush hour, traffic trying to join Pembury Road was backed all the way up to nearly Carrs Corner roundabout And drivers found their favourite shortcuts also snarled up with traffic One mum said she sat in traffic for 1hr 35 mins on a round trip to a hospital appointment with her young son which should have taken 20 minutes in total But April could also prove to be testing on the road network in Tunbridge Wells as there are three sets of roadworks on the way with those on the A264 Pembury Road and Major York's Road starting at the same time From April 4 for a fortnight, SGN contractors will have roadworks with temporary traffic lights on the A264 Pembury Road. While on the opposite side of town, to the west, from April 5 there will be roadworks on Major York's Road Drivers should be aware Major York's Road will be shut, along with its junctions with Fir Tree Road and Hungershall Park, for two weeks. Then work will start on the A264 Langton Road from April 22 An SGN spokesperson told KentLive the work coincided with the Easter holidays to reduce disruption "as much as possible" the work is to finish an upgrade to the network which began in 2023 during the school summer holidays when the road had to be shut During that time SGN found an additional 200m of metal gas main supplying several homes in private road Grovehurst This is what contractors are returning to do Although most of the work is in Grovehurst SGN said it would need to excavate on Pembury Road to connect the pipe essential gas network upgrades are also being carried out in Major York's Road and later SGN spokesperson Dan Brown said: "Earlier phases of this work were carried out last year and our engineers will be replacing the remainder of our old metal mains with new plastic pipe here to ensure Tunbridge Wells homes and businesses continue to enjoy the benefits of a safe and reliable gas supply for many years to come April 5 we’ll be working at Major York’s Road’s junction with Hungershall Park and Fir Tree Road All three roads will be closed to motorists at this junction to ensure everyone’s safety while we upgrade our network "Signed diversion routes will be in place and access will be maintained where it is safe to do so This phase of our work is expected to last approximately two weeks we’ve agreed to carry out this phase during the Easter holidays when roads are typically quieter." Mr Brown added: "We’ll then move to complete our upgrades along A264 Langton Road Temporary traffic lights will be installed around our work area for safety "These lights will be in operation for the 11-week duration of this second phase and we’re sorry for any inconvenience these essential gas network upgrades cause motorists and the Tunbridge Wells community." Never get stuck in a jam again with our FREE traffic and travel email for KentLive readers. Find out more here. Join our new WhatsApp community! Click this link to receive your daily dose of KentLive content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice A bird’s eye view of what the new junction will look like Hackney Council has published virtual plans for a revamped Pembury Circus junction following a battle with local campaigners over safety fears In a bid to promote its positive impact on traffic reduction high street footfall and safety for pedestrians and cyclists on Wednesday the council put out a visualisation of the new junction layout The Town Hall argues that the latest CGI images show in detail how the “complete” redesign will make the roads and surrounding areas less dangerous hailed the “once-in-a-generation” opportunity The design will bring about “a greener “We’ve spoken to thousands of residents over the past five years about their priorities for Hackney Central and our plans have been formed on the basis of what they’ve told us “I’m continuing to have those conversations and listen to local people’s views so we can make Hackney Central one of the best town centres in the country.” The council’s statement suggests the redesign picked up on public concerns around the junction’s safety noting the 66 people injured in collisions “in the five years leading up to 2022” But cycling campaigners and other residents remain sceptical both of the safety of the new design but also the claim that cyclists’ welfare was seriously considered by the Town Hall “Every defence of this decision mentions the need to balance the needs of all road users but this is dishonest,” wrote cycling advocate Will Petty on X (formerly Twitter) Of the extensive space reclaimed from cars you can see with your own eyes that pedestrians get all of it “The 1,500 people a day who currently cycle Pembury will surely increase They’ll be fine…until one day (or night) one of them isn’t “This is the path Hackney are taking And if you stubbornly take the shortest route says that Hackney is a borough that has given up its claim to leadership on cycling.” The council previously rejected alternative plans submitted by the local branch of London Cycling Campaign Following a dispute between the local authority and campaigners opposition councillors triggered a rare ‘call-in’ of the council’s decision asking the Town Hall’s scrutiny committee take another look at the proposals and judge whether officers had properly listened to cyclists’ concerns Despite passionate pleas from the campaigners joined by Green and Independent Socialist members for an independent review of the junction’s redesign by Active Travel England a majority of scrutiny members agreed the council should press on the council argued that it “considered introducing ‘CYCLOPS’-style plans for Pembury Circus which would “include cycle lanes around the perimeter of the junction” “However this would mean pedestrians would continue to need to use multiple crossings across roads and cycle lanes “In seeking to provide improvements for both cyclists and pedestrians the council is not proceeding with this option.” Hackney LCC said the Town Hall had “mis-labelled” its alternative proposals as ‘CYCLOPS’ designs “It would be more accurately called a ‘Circulating Cycle Stage Junction’ The approach resolves the issues which led the council to reject their ‘CYCLOPS’ design,” a spokesperson for the group said Supporters of the council’s plans include Andrew Hodgson who criticised the campaigners’ substitute designs as “chaotic” and “disorienting” that would allow bicycles to bypass pedestrian crossings and thereby pose a real risk for partially-sighted or blind people the affair underlined a deeper malaise around the Town Hall’s approach to public engagement said: “There were some legitimate issues the council raised about floating bus stops.” “I’m not even saying Hackney LCC should have had it all its own way But the lack of genuine engagement to reach for consensus was baffling “It made the whole thing feel like consultation was conducted in bad faith,” the resident said In a “critical overview” of the new visualisations on their website today Hackney LCC maintains that the council’s design achieves a disqualifying 25 per cent Junction Assessment Tool (JAT) score They argue that a minimum of 70 per cent is normally required for Active Travel England to sign off on a scheme these visualisations show just how bad the junction design is and these are idealised images and the reality will be a lot more messy,” the group states Update: this article was amended at 8.50pm on 25 November 2024 A quote was wrongly attributed to Will Norman The parents of a cyclist who was fatally struck by a car in Homerton last year have backed the recent campaign for Hackney Council to change course over its plans for Pembury Circus Hackney Cycling Campaign (HCC) published provisional plans from a “top traffic engineer” for the complex junction urging the council to reconsider its current designs which the group claims would “put lives at risk” whose son Harry Webb was killed on his bicycle on Kenworthy Road on 10 September 2023 They are asking the council why it is sticking to plans despite public questions around cycle safety Pat said the couple are supporting HCC’s proposal “because they said they want safer roads because they’ve had quite a number of people killed or seriously injured in Hackney” “We can’t keep killing people in the numbers that are being killed because the devastation it brings to families is horrifying and that’s why we’re supporting them “‘Car is king’ on the road needs to go We’ve got to get to the state where the public realises it’s a privilege to drive Harry Webb’s fatal crash was sadly followed by the death of another cyclist in Hackney just 11 days later was on her way home when she was hit by a driver speeding at nearly 50mph on the 20mph residential Whiston Road in London Fields while Hackney has made important strides towards cyclists’ safety the new plans would see “a once-in-a-generation opportunity being squandered” Pat said that proceeding with an approach that requires cyclists to mix with general traffic “is inconsistent with Hackney Council’s commitment to safety and the principles of Vision Zero” The couple backed HCC’s alternative design which claims to accommodate safe cycling while balancing the current plan’s proposed benefits — motor vehicle capacity bus reliability and simplified pedestrian movements “[HCC] has shown it is possible to achieve all these aims and yet you are proceeding with an approach which excludes safe cycling regardless,” Pat told the council “This surely requires rigorous justification “I ask that you explain why the council is abandoning the safety principles they have previously championed Harry and Gao Gao were tragically killed while cycling on the borough’s roads “Currently a cyclist is seriously injured around once every 17 months while trying to cross Pembury Circus “These life-changing collisions are not inevitable This needs to stop now,” the letter said Harry Webb was doing a master’s degree in music production Pat added that Harry’s time studying abroad in Amsterdam had shown him that there were more effective ways to build cycling infrastructure in the UK Her letter to the council refers to an article on Dutch bike networks that can help phase out car usage and support safety Mike said: “When Harry lived in Tottenham he used to say how cycling in London can be crazy sometimes because you’ve got the cycling lanes and all of a sudden they disappear “Some road junctions he would just get off and push his bike on the pavement and get back on But he always said to me that London could be made a lot safer “It appears as if Hackney wants to do it differently “Everybody seems to keep trying to reinvent the wheel They have their idea of how it’s working and don’t use systems that they know work “You have to do the job right the first time.” had dropped their 27-year-old son off at his new house-share on a hot Sunday Harry was due to begin his second year studying for a master’s degree in music production at the London College of Contemporary Music (LCCM) he was hit by a car en route from his new flat to London Fields Lido She appeared at Thames Magistrates’ Court in April this year with the defendant granted bail to appear at the court again on 28 October cycling in the borough in the past five years—an average of 45 people a year Pat said previous correspondence from Cllrs Sarah Young and Anna Lynch and Mayor Caroline Woodley in the months following Harry’s death were “kind and quick” the couple are in London to attend a memorial for Harry at LCCM “It’s been sheer hell for a whole year It’s going to be forever more,” Pat said Update: this article was amended at 6.48pm on 3 October 2024 Gao Gao was sadly killed on Whiston Road in London Fields and not Winston Road in Stoke Newington as originally stated Cars banned during daytime but no segregated cycle lanes in proposals for Hackney Central News | Transport Get our award-winning daily news email featuring exclusive stories I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice A cyclist who was seriously injured when she was hit by a car has warned that £19million plans to redesign a notorious junction will fail to improve safety Claudia Schergna, 25, said the proposal from Hackney council to change the layout of Pembury Circus was a “missed opportunity” The Labour-run council proposes to ban cars from the eastern section of Amhurst Road between 7am and 7pm This would enable it to convert the section between Mare Street and Pembury Circus – adjacent to Hackney Central Overground station - into a “green route” with “pocket parks” Hackney Cycling Campaign has also opposed the plans, which is believed to be funded via Government “levelling up” cash rather than Transport for London The key concern is the failure to introduce protected cycle lanes at a heavily trafficked Pembury Circus junction used by many cyclists riding between Hackney Central an MA journalism student who was cycling home to Stoke Newington late at night last December after finishing work in a bar was hit from behind as she rode across the junction She bashed her head on the ground and was left lying unconscious in the middle of the junction A fellow cyclist came to her aid and took her to Homerton hospital in an Uber after an ambulance failed to arrive She was unconscious for five hours and needed five stitches to close a head wound who has written to Hackney mayor Caroline Woodley to raise concerns told the Standard: “I completely lost consciousness I had no memory of what happened – I just woke up in hospital Minister: We’re looking to address problems of Cycle to Work scheme Whitechapel cycle death victim named as police hunt hit-and-run driver died from meningitis after being sent home from London hospital Motability Operations shows how to make the EV transition accessible “The other cyclist who stopped to help thought I was dead because of the amount of blood on the ground “They’re going to close a major junction in Hackney Police closed the case after being unable to read the car’s numberplate due to the poor quality of the CCTV images of the collision Ms Schergna told the Hackney mayor: “As a result of the accident and suffered from constant migraines and severe difficulty concentrating as someone who uses that junction regularly—although I’m now too afraid to cycle through it—and as someone who was mere inches from losing my life there I believe the current designs are not good enough “They represent a missed opportunity to keep citizens safe and will not allow you to meet your commitment to road safety or Vision Zero.” The Hackney Cycling Campaign has suggested alternative designs that include protected lanes But the council says this would leave insufficient space for pedestrians The council is expected to decide on Friday whether to proceed with the scheme with an expected completion date of March 2026 Hackney Cycling Campaign says it has “deep concerns” over the “sub par” redesign of Pembury Circus, which it says raises “serious questions about Hackney Council's commitment to safety and the principles of Vision Zero” A Hackney Cycling Campaign spokesperson said: "The new design proposed by Hackney council does nothing to protect cyclists making the same movement as [Claudia] “The council has an alternative design available to them that would ensure cyclist safety on every movement on the junction and guarantee that such an incident could not happen again we urge Hackney council to rethink their plans for Pembury Circus" Ms Woodley said: “I appreciate Claudia getting in touch to describe her horrendous experience when a driver hit her at the Pembury Circus junction and drove away “The safety of everyone who uses Pembury Circus junction is of the utmost importance and our proposals are aimed at making it safer for pedestrians as part of a wider project in Hackney Central to reduce traffic and create a new linear park along Amhurst Road “The plans we are currently developing for the Pembury Circus junction would result in a complete redesign of the junction and new crossings installed to also decrease the risk of vehicle collisions with pedestrians the council has sought to strike a balance considering the benefits for everyone using the junction.” from the transport design practice Urban Movement are intended to address traffic congestion and poor air quality at Hackney Central Pembury Circus has the highest recorded levels of nitrogen dioxide pollution in Hackney and Amhurst Road has among the highest levels Since 2017 there have been 229 road traffic collisions between Mare Street and Pembury Circus said: "Our priority was a scheme that delivers the most for the most people from a network perspective it is the north-south movements through Hackney Central which are key and need upgrading “This project will deliver that through a segregated and improved connection between London Fields and Narrow Way as well as safer quiet routes north of London Fields to Amhurst Road and onto Hackney Downs “We looked at cycling and providing segregation through the street very hard The southern end is too narrow for segregation segregation would remove all carriageway green infrastructure and not enable bus facilities to be upgraded for the interchange there's a bus gate as part of the scheme though operational 0700-1900 and this means there’s no through traffic so cycling is improved both Pembury Circus and the junction at Hackney Central will be improved hugely in terms of cyclist and pedestrian priority and safety “All this in balance meant we went with the scheme that delivered the maximum return on investment for Hackney Central * An earlier version of this article wrongly stated that Active Travel England was involved in the oversight and funding of the scheme Prince Louis steals the show at VE Day parade as he keeps dad William looking sharp and mimics brother George Prince Louis steals show with sweet antics at VE parade VE Day 2025 fashion: best looks from the day VE Day 2025 fashion: Princess of Wales to Lady Victoria Starmer Royals watch historic flypast as huge crowds turns out for VE Day 80th anniversary  Royals watch historic Red Arrows flypast for VE Day 80th anniversary David Beckham’s 50th birthday bash in London 'shut down' by council over noise complaints David Beckham’s 50th birthday bash 'shut down' over noise complaints Stacey Solomon 'regrets doing reality show with Joe Swash' for tough reason Stacey Solomon 'regrets reality show with Joe Swash' for tough reason Hackney Council’s decision to press on with a controversial redesign of Pembury Circus has been called in for a special review After their “bitter disappointment” when the move was announced local activists from the London Cycling Campaign (LCC) welcomed the news that the plans would be put in front of a council scrutiny panel The Hackney branch of LCC had put forward an alternative design commissioned by a “top traffic engineer” the Town Hall published a point-by-point response to the group’s design arguing it had “significant shortcomings” the council’s own proposals will be pored over by a scrutiny committee A spokesperson for the campaigners told the Citizen that Green and Independent Socialist councillors had triggered the review “We’re pleased to see the decision has been called in and we encourage the council to request Active Travel England to assess both designs and act on the one that is safest and best for Hackney residents,” the spokesperson said The council is yet to publish an agenda for the meeting during which members are expected to examine a design that some residents have labelled “dangerous” Hackney LCC said the council’s plans are at odds with Mayor Caroline Woodley’s stated ambition to make the borough’s streets safer Others have also intervened in the debate around the revamp who was was knocked off her bike by a car at the junction and treated for a head wound wrote to Mayor Woodley urging her to reconsider forging ahead with the council’s scheme emphasising that the plans included banned turns to prevent cyclists and vehicles from clashing and new crossings to “decrease the risk of vehicle collisions with pedestrians” as well as an early green light for cyclists on the Dalston Lane (south) and Pembury Road arms of the junction,” the mayor said Pat and Mike Webb, whose son Harry was killed last year while cycling in the borough, said pushing ahead with the plans would see a “once-in-a-generation opportunity being squandered”, and threw their support behind the alternative proposals A ‘safer’ junction proposal at the Pembury Circus junction in the centre of Hackney was rejected by the borough council this week The Hackney London Cycling Campaign group believe the junction design was not completed correctly as it puts cyclists in danger while using it. It does not pass Vision Zero which is a strategy designed to eliminate all traffic fatalities The cycling campaigners said their own “relevant and more suitable” design has been ignored since they put it forward in July Their design includes cycle lanes with raised curbs to separate cyclists from motor traffic Their design scored 38/40 points on the Junction Assessment Tool Hackney resident Klaudia Skernia was hit by a car while cycling through Pembury Circus in December 2023 and was fortunate to survive despite severe head injuries She told the Scrutiny Panel that the “new design suggested by Hackney Council isn’t addressing the risk at all The Vision Zero design proposed by Hackney LLC would eliminate that risk altogether.” Mark, a highway engineer who goes by the pseudonym ‘The Ranty Highwayman’ told the meeting: “This is the sort of design we would have seen 20 years ago.” It does not meet Active Travel England standards National Active Travel Commissioner and former racing cyclist Chris Boardman said “if you build the old way you kill 10% more people than doing nothing” Assistant Director of Hackney’s road maintenance company Streetscene gave five reasons why the council’s design was better […] there’s a lot more space for pedestrians” it [Hackney LLC’s design] could disrupt pedestrians using Hackney Downs station and that the council design focuses “on creating a space with a place function not movement function” The meeting ultimately approved the council’s design A rat run used by drivers to dodge a section of heavily-congested A-road in Kent will close for up to 19 days. Kent Highways will be carrying out work in Cornford Lane in Tunbridge Wells Kent County Council said the narrow lane had to be shut for through traffic for "urgent kerb and safety post" work to be done Cornford Lane, which has an entrance in the High Street in Pembury joins the busy Halls Hole Road which links Hawkenbury to the A264 Pembury Road The lanes are used by drivers to avoid a substantial section of the A264 The council said Cornford Lane would be closed from Aspens to Muxelwell Farm from January 13 The alternative route is via Cornford Lane The road is due to be shut between 7am and 7pm each day Get the latest property market news straight to your inbox As KentLive reported at the beginning of July developer Obsidian Strategic Asset Management wants to build on 13.5 acres of fields in Pembury - and at that time The land is on Hubbles Farm in Hastings Road with most of one side adjacent to dual carriageway It says 40 per cent of the homes will be affordable and there will be new pedestrian and cycle routes A further 20 parking spaces would be created for visitors Read more: Spectacular Kent model railway weekend with real ale train and tasty fish and chip suppers Read more: Tunbridge Wells M&S cafe and toilets closing soon and people are gutted Pembury is around two miles from Tunbridge Wells town centre via the notoriously congested A264 Pembury Road or the white-knuckle rat run on the narrow rural lanes This application does not have as much detail as a full planning application would it is seeking permission from the council for the principle of development the developer usually has three years to submit the full application and Sevenoaks and the M25 in a northerly direction Obsidian talks about a noise "buffer" It says: "A noise study and a landscape assessment has been undertaken to inform the design of the landscape buffer area along the southern boundary of the site with the A21." It said the development had been "carefully designed" to mitigate any noise impact from the A21 this includes a significant landscaped buffer between the housing and the A21 "Private gardens and amenity space are located behind buildings to the north and noise-reducing fencing and glazing provided where required External noise criteria within gardens can be achieved without the need for noise mitigation measures for most of the site Internal noise criteria can be achieved with acoustically enhanced façade elements including window systems and background trickle ventilators." so there are submissions from only two residents about them But villagers have previously expressed their concerns about issues including pressure on roads along with maintaining the level of affordable housing Obsidian said the estate would have "circa 200 parking spaces" and it proposes foul water from the development would flow to the Southern Water combined sewer in Hastings Road The site entrance of Hastings Road to Hubbles Farm will be widened by the "demolition of 32 Hastings Road" Obsidian says in the plans: "The cross junction onto Hastings Road has been designed with traffic calming proposals along Hastings Road and the High Street which will reduce speeds to 20mph along this section of road Potential impact on existing residents who park in Hastings Road will be minimised through the design process "The emerging proposals favour build-out as sections of kerb or footway extended out into the carriageway on one side to narrow the road These would help formalise the existing parking spaces into sections allow for easier and safer pedestrian access to cross the road and have a traffic-calming effect as vehicles would need to slow down on the road." David Hayward, member for Pembury and Capel for Independents for Tunbridge Wells on the borough council, told KentLive: "The reports commissioned by the developer and presented in the outline planning application It would seem they are relying on everybody being fit enough "The Draft Travel Plan is a work worthy of a Booker Prize for Fiction and I have suggested it should be withdrawn the 296/297 bus does not use Hastings Road The non-existent Post Office is a typical example of poorly-researched material put forward I am sure the planning officers will look very carefully indeed at this outline application "Our MP made 'Infrastructure first' a headline promise and commitment of his campaign I am sure he will be reminding the Lib Dem-led planning committee of this and highlighting the over-subscribed Pembury School and GP Surgery for negotiating the roads into and out of the village of Pembury Locals know the truth and will highlight the deficiencies in the application at every juncture." The infrastructure around this proposed development cannot even begin to support it Never mind the destruction of the designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty." along with others with permission or to be submitted the village would be put under "enormous strain" hospital and doctors' surgery were already "oversubscribed" They raised the same concerns about infrastructure and also parking in Hastings Road Obsidian had been told three years ago by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council it would not need to submit an environmental impact assessment with its proposals Obsidian was asked for comment but declined. For the latest planning notices near you visit publicnoticeportal.uk Get Kent's latest breaking news and top stories on WhatsApp Story SavedYou can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. moments after his own vehicle hit the central reservation It's believed the man in his 40s was trying to get to safety after his white Isuzu pick-up truck and trailer crashed on the coastbound carriageway near Pembury The accident happened a short distance away when he was struck by a grey Vauxhall Vivaro and a grey Skoda Kodiaq Kent Police's Serious Collision Investigation Unit (SCIU) is carrying out enquiries and officers are appealing to anyone who saw what happened Traffic congestion and delayed journeys on a key A-roads' corridor in Kent have been made a priority to tackle as improvements to the route have made it into the new Transport Plan for the county Council chiefs have included the A264 Pembury Road in Tunbridge Wells and the A228, a route from the town to Maidstone via Colts Hill Improvements aimed at "addressing the pressure" on the West Malling to Tunbridge Wells corridor are in Kent County Council's Transport Plan which was adopted in December The A228 joins the A264 at a busy set of junctions near Pembury and near the acute Tunbridge Wells Hospital The plan acknowledges the issues for A264 drivers: it says there's "queuing and congestion" which creates "overly long journeys" for a comparatively short section of road It said this "disadvantages Tunbridge Wells town centre" It also says the importance of the A228 will rise as Paddock Wood will be a focus for housing and employment growth which skirts around the west side of the town will be "very important" for new journeys with new developments likely to have built links onto the corridor Improvements would also be made for public transport The council wants to develop proposals for a "single continuous programme" for development and delivery of the corridor upgrade which "should" include revisiting the case for a Colts Hill bypass It is 20 years since the council proposed the Colts Hill bypass It had followed years of tireless campaigning by residents and road users councillors and then Tunbridge Wells MP Greg Clark Among the reasons were an end to accidents rural route which is also known for congestion and delays The Courier reported during the campaign that residents of Colts Hill in one particular blackspot had learned First Aid as they were so used to rushing out to help people involved in collisions But all these improvement works will be subject to developer and Government funding There are no details or diagrams of what the improvements would be on the ground the A228-A264 corridor is simply one of seven 'local road network proposals' for Kent in the plan Although only 71 people responded to proposals specifically for the borough in the county's Transport Plan public consultation the A264-A228 corridor proposals sparked the highest number of "respondents in disagreement" This information is in the agenda for the Tunbridge Wells Joint Transportation Board's meeting on Monday A closer look at the county consultation document shows people were not asked about specific plans just the idea of improvements to the A264-A228 corridor Tunbridge Wells Borough Council's response to the Transport Plan was summarised by the county council in the consultation document An excerpt reads: "They note that improvements to the A228 and A264 are needed to support the Local Plan and that improvements should cater for active travel and public transport too." The Transport Plan sets out proposals for improving roads and public transport in Kent The council said it is "designed to strike a balance between the investment needed to improve the county's economy whilst also preparing our transport networks to meet the environmental challenges facing the county" "Tonbridge and Malling stretches from Medway towards Tunbridge Wells with the A228 – A264 road corridor acting as the main spine of the transport network between these locations and linking to the M20 and M2 motorways." "Due to the borough’s proximity to other major urban areas the future pressure on its road network arises as much from wider changes to land uses beyond its boundary as from within." parish and borough councils and others have said You can look at the entire plan by clicking on this link Farnham site snapped up by global real estate investor Long awaited redesign works at a major road junction in Hackney began this week to address concerns about safety and the local environment The works at the Pembury Circus Junction and Amhurst Road began on Monday following complaints from residents of rising pollution levels and a lack of measures causing the junction to be unsafe for pedestrians The Junction had been labelled as “one of the most dangerous in the borough”, with 229 recorded collisions within this route alongside 25 serious incidents and two fatalities since 2017 Construction will continue over the next 18 months Changes to Amhurst Road will include opening 1,000 square meters of green space to install child play areas and rain gardens to absorb water and prevent flooding all pelican crossings will be replaced by eight zebra crossings the Hackney Downs bus stop will be moved further west and the Hackney Central Station bus stop will be merged with the bus stop lettered ‘T’ This will also include the removal of 20 car spaces in Amhurst Road’s car park to make room for two car club bays and two electric vehicle bays Pembury Circus Junction will be completely redesigned to prioritise cyclists and pedestrians with changes such as a direct pedestrian crossing to improve accessibility “early green lights” for cyclists to allow them priority through traffic lights and motor vehicles will no longer be able to turn left or right from Pembury Road to prevent collisions Hackney Green Party proposed an alternative plan for redesign works during Hackney Council’s scrutiny panel due to concerns regarding safety measures However the suggestions were largely rejected The council also opted against a further assessment by Active Travel England a government-led agency responsible for active travel in England The Junction Assessment Tool, which was created by ATE to provide users with guidance on how to assess the quality of active travel designs, was used to compare the plan proposed by Hackney Council and Hackney Cycling Campaign In accordance with the tools provided by the JAT a score is provided out of 40, which refers to the number of criteria points met by the design. The council received a score of 11/40, the Hackney Cycling Campaign received a score of 38/40. A man has died after being hit by a car and a van on the A21 near Pembury had exited his own vehicle following a separate collision before being struck Kent Police officers were called to the coastbound carriageway of the A21 shortly after 6pm yesterday (November 16) The force said the victim had been driving a white Isuzu pickup truck and trailer and had collided with the central reservation a short distance away It is reported that after he got out of the Isuzu and was on foot he was struck by a grey Vauxhall Vivaro and a grey Skoda Kodiaq The road was closed overnight for around 12 hours due to the serious collision Kent Police's Serious Collision Investigation Unit (SCIU) is carrying out enquiries and officers are now appealing to anyone who saw what happened Anyone with information should call the SCIU appeal line on 01622 798538, or email sciu.td@kent.police.uk, quoting reference EX/HG/109/24. Drivers with dashcam that may assist can upload the footage using the online portal here Make and Mend graduates at the Pembury Centre Hackney Council has praised the success of an “empowering” sewing programme designed to strengthen local women’s financial independence and help them “weather the cost-of-living crisis” recently showcased the handiwork of 10 ethnic minority women who took part in its six-month ‘Make and Mend’ course at the Pembury Community Centre The graduates were given sewing machine training to create “sustainable culture-specific clothing” impossible to find in mainstream shops from bespoke tote bags and purses to dresses harnessed her newfound skills to fashion garments inspired by her home country of Nigeria Her fellow graduate Patricia said she was “so pleased” to have finally got onto the course having missed out last year due to it being fully booked All of the participants are primary caregivers unable to work outside their home Kundakala’s CEO Poornima Kirloskar-Saini named her business in the memory of her late mother She was delighted that the cohort of women can now “save money and reduce debt by altering and repairing their own clothes and those of their families” who came dressed to match the tote bag she’d created the enterprise works to boost its trainees’ financial independence through business enterprise skills training Some graduates have gone on to create micro-businesses or join the organisation’s online marketplace Following the completion of the half-year course participants were also invited to the social enterprise’s advanced ‘alterations and upcycling’ programme under the supervision of a tailoring tutor they make products from fabrics such as sarees which they then donate to the organisation Hackney’s cabinet member for employment said the council was “so proud” to have part-funded the initative “This project not only empowers women but also contributes to the circular economy by promoting sustainable practices like mending and reusing textiles “I am delighted to see the current cohort have graduated from the Make and Mend programme and look forward to seeing how they progress with their new found skills and passion,” she said Kundakala has also been supported by its long-standing housing association partner to deliver classes in Hackney’s Pembury Centre and also in Lambeth Growing waiting lists for the sewing scheme in recent years have prompted plans to expand into Islington The social enterprise has also been awarded a cabin at the Winter by the River market at Hays Galleria in Southwark For best viewing experience of this website Please enter a place name in the search bar After provisionally the warmest May Day on record in the UK higher than average temperatures will subside over the weekend Environment Agency Updated: 00:12 (UTC+1) on Tue 6 May 2025 Cloud thinning and becoming mainly dry overnight Cloud thinning and breaking during the evening with showers and any remaining rain soon fading Showers remain possible across Kent with brisk winds here Possible rural grass frost in western parts by dawn Cloudier in east with best of the sunshine across western regions mainly fine weather with sunny or clear spells and mostly light winds Dry across the vast majority of the UK with clear or sunny spells but also some patchy cloud Cloud will likely thicken across the far north and northwest during the weekend with some outbreaks of rain for a time There is also a small risk of some heavy showers in the far south or southwest high pressure will be dominant across the UK This will bring predominantly fine and dry weather for the majority of places Temperatures are likely to be slightly above normal for the time of year although there is a chance of some cold nights Fairly typical weather for the time of year is most likely through this period fine and dry weather is more likely to dominate although this will be interspersed with occasional spells of rain and showers with a risk of heavy rain and thunderstorms in places temperatures will most likely be near to or slightly above average One person said they had sat in rush-hour traffic for 40 minutes Traffic lights are in operation at the site near Halls Hole Road where SGN is carrying out urgent gas network repairs It has closed Halls Hole Road and Cornford Lane On the opposite side of the arterial route drivers are barred from turning left from Blackhurst Lane junction meaning they can not directly access the A21 SGN said it recognised this area was "a sensitive traffic location" and the frustration for motorists Read more: Busy Kent Tesco set for expansion, full refurb and new products including clothing Read more: The Kent areas where house prices are rising faster than anywhere else in the county One person on network site Nextdoor said: "Forty mins to get to East Peckham and 50 minutes back; it's madness plus roadworks on A21." Another said: "So who’s bright idea was it to run major road works and diversions on the A26 and A21 at the same time So much for global warming and pollution - miles of traffic stuck daily." While one mum said: "Yes took my daughter 50 minutes to get from Pembury village to Tunbridge Wells this morning." It also gives access to the large village of Pembury and Halls Hole Road - a windy narrow lane with high stone walls either side in parts which is known locally as the 'unofficial southern bypass' of Tunbridge Wells A spokesperson for gas company SGN said: "This is a complex repair as the affected low pressure pipe is located close to other utility pipes This is further complicated by the thickness of the road surface here as we need to use specialist drilling equipment to access and carry out the required repairs "It remains unclear how long it will take to repair the affected pipe at this stage but we’re working extended hours to complete this work as quickly as we can We recognise this is a sensitive traffic location and roadworks can be frustrating for motorists "However, these works are essential to ensuring Tunbridge Wells properties continue to receive a safe and reliable supply of gas." You can read SGN's full statement here Never get stuck in a jam again with our FREE traffic and travel email for KentLive readers. Find out more here. By NOTICEBOARD · 8 August 2024 a charity dedicated to supporting and empowering individuals on the autism spectrum and with learning disabilities will be opening its new Donations Centre in Pembury This new facility will serve as a hub for contributions from the community furthering Aspens' mission to enhance the lives of those it supports It will provide a convenient drop-off point for donations of clothing which will be sold in Aspens' charity shops and ebay store Proceeds from these sales will fund projects and services that assist autistic individuals and those with learning disabilities helping them to lead more independent and fulfilling lives To celebrate the opening the charity is offering a free cake or drink from the Bluebell Café to everyone who brings a bag of donations between August 12-15 There will also be an opening ceremony on August 14 including a ribbon-cutting by the charity’s patron Camellia Taylor supporters and members of the community will attend and will have the opportunity to view the new facility and learn more about Aspens’ work "We are incredibly excited to open this new Donations Centre in Pembury," said Robbie Shanahan "The generosity of our community is essential to our work and this new facility will make it easier than ever for people to support our cause will make a difference in the lives of the individuals and families we serve." has pledged their support for the initiative said “Donating pre-loved items at Aspens’ Donation Centre is an easy and useful way for us all to support the Charity "We’ve set up collection points in our Tunbridge Wells office and our people are bringing in items that we hope will fly off the shelves at Aspens’ shops Our action is also reducing waste and promoting sustainability which is key to our commitment as a certified B Corporation™.” Aspens welcomes similar initiatives from other local businesses Those dropping off donations can enjoy other attractions at the Aspens’ site Aspens is a charity dedicated to supporting and empowering individuals on the autism spectrum and with learning disabilities Through a range of services including residential care short breaks and activities for young people Aspens helps individuals lead more independent and fulfilling lives Aspens’ charity shops are located in Bexhill LoadingDaily Email Updates {{contentTitle}} A developer is poised to submit plans for a 103-home estate in a tight-knit village near Tunbridge Wells. Obsidian wants to build on around 13.5 acres of fields in Pembury The land on Hubbles Farm is south of the village and near the A21 It is also around two miles from Tunbridge Wells Three years ago, Obsidian Strategic Asset Management was told by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council it would not need to submit an environmental impact assessment with its proposals Read more: Drivers could help catch flasher who targeted two women on common Read more: Two broadband telecommunication poles set for close-knit village Obsidian has told residents of Pembury affected by the new proposals it is aiming to submit an outline planning application to the council by the end of this month Villagers who are concerned about issues including pressure on roads are waiting to read the application as soon as it drops at the Town Hall Obsidian said the estate would have "circa 200 parking spaces" and it proposes "foul water that flows from the development will discharge via a new gravity network to the existing Southern Water combined sewer located within Hastings Road" It also said there would be "up to 41 affordable homes" The developer expects its application to be decided by the council this summer/autumn. You can see more information from Obsidian about its scheme here For the latest planning notices near you visit publicnoticeportal.uk Get Kent's latest breaking news and top stories on WhatsApp there is a picture of the agonising photo finish that shows her and Imogen Grant missing an Olympic medal by just 0.01 seconds they created their own masterpiece with a sensational gold medal in the “grand finale” of a three-year revenge tour Craig and Grant were dominant in the women’s lightweight pair final as British Rowing celebrated a sixth medal of these comeback Games already four more than they managed in Tokyo Craig and Grant are epitome of that renaissance They have dominated their event to such an extent that this race was sized up as a foregone conclusion with two World Championship wins in their back pocket but number 23 was always going to be the one that really mattered And despite the gutsy challenge of Romania’s Gianina Elena van Groningen and Livia Cozmiuc they won by a length to deliver Britain’s second gold at Vaires-sur-Marne there was also relief when they crossed the line Grant and Craig were supposedly the banker of the Games and until the podium when the emotions all became too much who is one of over 1,000 elite athletes on UK Sport’s National Lottery-funded World Class Programme have access to the world’s best coaches and benefit from pioneering medical support – which has been vital on their pathway to the Paris 2024 Games it has brought me to tears and so I had to try and not think about it for a very long time We just had to go out and do something we have done multiple times before “We knew we did not have to pull something out of thin air we just had to race the race plan that we have Craig and Grant were happy to let Romania open up a small lead at 500m but as soon as they hit the throttle The Romanians upped their stroke rate in the last 250 metres while Greece’s Dimitra Kontou and Zoi Fitsiou came charging through as well too late as Craig and Grant crossed in 6:47:06 – just six seconds off their personal best "Not every Olympian gets it right on its first try and we didn’t back in Tokyo,” Grant “But we have put in so much work and we are much better people this time around I think there was an inevitability to the racing today.” There certainly was – and the only regret is that this may well be their last race together Craig and Grant will not defend their title because the lightweight pairs have been removed from the programme for the next Games in LA but her priorities shift as soon as she gets back to the UK she will begin as a foundation doctor in Slough Craig added: “It is hard because from a personal level it is very nice to be the Olympic champions forever “It is interesting to see beach sprints come in There was both agony and ecstasy at Vaires-sur-Marne as the men’s pair of Ollie Wynne-Griffith and Tom George were overtaken in the last 10 metres of their final The pair led from almost start to finish but were beaten by Croatia’s Martin and Valent Sinkovic “We had the perfect race from pretty much start to finish we did not have the best last five strokes but we were clinging on and gave it everything we had,” George said Their silver medal means Team GB rowers have now won two gold With more than £30M a week raised for Good Causes, including vital funding into elite and grassroots sport, National Lottery players support our Olympic and Paralympic athletes to live their dreams and make the nation proud, as well as providing more opportunities for people to take part in sport. To find out more visit: www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk A child was hit by a car in Tunbridge Wells The incident happened on Pembury Road at around 3.30pm on Friday Police and South East Coast Ambulance service both attended the scene A police spokesperson said: "Officers attended the scene where a girl was assessed by the South East Coast Ambulance for any injuries The road was reopened by around 4.30pm." Never get stuck in a jam again with our FREE traffic and travel email for KentLive readers. Find out more here. A route used as a rat run in Tunbridge Wells has shut. The closure is so Kent County Council can carry out urgent work on kerbs and safety posts Drivers use Cornford Lane to avoid the busy A264 Pembury Road between Tunbridge Wells and other areas It will be shut for through traffic for up to 19 days from today (Monday Cornford Lane would be closed from Aspens Services to Muxelwell Farm from today (Monday) meaning the lane itself can become congested and there are accidents and the lane twists with no pavements or verges meaning vehicles can struggle to even pass so vehicles coming up at night can blind drivers travelling down Residents ;watched on in terror’ as flames ripped through the Dalston Lane block of the Pembury Estate last year News | London The “devastated” victims of a Dalston fire last summer have demanded more support and transparency from their landlord as they wait to move back into their homes residents “watched on in terror” as flames ripped through the Dalston Lane block of the Pembury Estate In the immediate aftermath, the block’s owners, Peabody housing association were already facing calls to do more – as tenants found themselves in unstable living situations and speculation mounted over the cause of the blaze Elizabeth Oppong, who works for Transport for London and whose husband has a health condition, said her family had been housed in four different places since the fire She told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) of her “terrible time” dealing with what remained of her scorched home but when visiting the apartment in September removal staff “broke [our] furniture up in front of my eyes and chucked it over the balcony She added that they also refused to dispose of her fridge – which had stood dormant but packed with food in the freezer for three months – unless she cleaned it out first “There was rotting black liquid […] I can’t tell you how many insects were in there,” she said The first emergency accommodation the Oppongs were placed in was “infested with red ants” and they have since been relocated to various Airbnbs “I’m happy that they’ve put us in a nice place but I’m now paying £80 a month for both my daughter and my son to get to school and college.” Uncertainty has been a mainstay for the family, made worse by Peabody’s failure to renew their booking – resulting in them being asked on one occasion to leave at very short notice Chiltern Firehouse blaze 'started in pizza oven' before raging through London hotel Netflix post-Bafta party moved to new location after blaze at Chiltern Firehouse Man suffers facial burns after 'fire bomb' attack in London park Don’t miss this free immersive light experience at Westfield London “At 6:30pm on 16 October I got a call from the owners asking us to hand the keys back when we left in the morning,” Ms Oppong said “to go from having an assured tenancy to living on a rolling contract every 28 days – with no certainty that it’s going to be renewed – it’s just not a good way to live at all,” she added Chair of the Pembury Tenants and Residents Association (TRA) Elizabeth Houghton told Peabody others had also found themselves stuck in this “limbo” Some had even relied on their MP to contact Peabody’s CEO to find out if their booking was going to be renewed “The repeated failure to put in place appropriate governance systems for monitoring bookings and communicating bookings to residents or of providing residents with contact details when NMs are absent “This is basic business planning and the continued lack of it shows a systemic failure in Peabody’s ability to govern and manage itself.” Disabled resident Kazi said her family was at a huge financial loss after the fire and had been placed in a “downsized damp and cold” property that posed a risk to her son “We just want to go home and put an end to this nightmare,” she said said he had at first been placed in accommodation without accessibility support and had also had prized possessions thrown away by removers J.A He and others say they were also previously told by the housing association to keep the receipts for any outfits bought to replace smoke-filled clothes but “this promise has since been withdrawn” Resident Allyson Junes said many had relied on this commitment and “its retraction has left us feeling unsupported and misled during an already challenging time” “Despite being responsible tenants who have consistently paid rent on time we find Peabody only addresses our concerns when pressure is applied through MPs or the media,” Junes added Neil is convinced that the fire was caused by the building’s solar panels, which had not been declared in a past fire risk assessment (FRA) Independent fire safety expert Arnold Tarling said this made the safety report “defective and dangerous” “The chance of a roof catching fire without them [the solar panels] would have been nil,” he told the BBC in July Dr Houghton claimed Peabody directors had “direct personal knowledge” since at least 2020 that other FRAs on the Pembury Estate contained false statements that “directly impacted the ability to accurately assess fire safety” She also criticised the association’s claims to have provided 35 “dedicated” neighbourhood managers (NMs) to support displaced residents arguing that these staff members are under-resourced and do not have any local knowledge “Residents consistently complain about not being able to get in touch with their NMs [who are] not responding to emails or phone calls,” she wrote “In cases where residents have managed to get in contact different NMs have provided different information again resulting in inconsistent support for displaced residents.” She added that residents were told by London Fire Brigade (LFB) that the report on the cause of the fire had been delayed in part “because they are waiting for Peabody’s insurer to confirm a date to release evidence samples to be scientifically examined by independent experts” Peabody said it was “sorry for any confusion” regarding reimbursement and encouraged residents struggling financially to contact them to potentially get extra support A spokesperson said: “We understand living in temporary accommodation is not ideal for any of the residents affected by the fire and we’ve been working hard to support them all “Every household has their own dedicated point of contact and is encouraged to raise any concerns directly with us which we update regularly with the latest information “We want to help people move back in as soon as possible we’re doing everything we can to ensure everyone is comfortable.” The spokesperson added that they were still waiting for the outcome of the LFB investigation and were unable to comment on the cause of the fire at this stage “We have always fully supported enquiries into the fire and continue to do so We are as keen as residents to know the outcome of the investigation and we regularly contact the LFB to ask for updates,” they said “Neither we nor our insurance company are doing anything to delay the findings “We encourage anyone with any concerns about their accommodation including delayed bookings or damp and mould to contact us so we can help as soon as possible.” Dr Houghton asked the council cabinet if it was satisfied with how Peabody had supported residents in the months after the fire Cllr Sem Moema said the organisation had provided access to emotional and financial support “from the start” and had been “in regular contact” with each household “Peabody states that their tailored support to the affected households will naturally remain in place for as long as it’s needed,” she said When asked by the LDRS if the council stood by these words in light of more recent complaints from residents Cllr Moema said: “We have been liaising with Peabody and raising residents’ questions with them will continue to support residents affected by the fire.” Kent Fire and Rescue was called at 7.27am to reports of a crash Two fire engines attended and crews moved the vehicle so the motorist One person was passed into the care of SECAmb paramedics The collision took place on the north-bound carriageway and emergency services first arrived at the scene shortly after 6.30am Kent County Council's highways department confirmed the crash happened between the A228 Pembury Road and Longfield Road junctions a car had collided with the central reservation The north-bound carriageway was partially blocked as fire crews worked to free the motorist Slow moving traffic soon built on approach with congestion stretching back towards Pembury Road at the incident's peak Read more: Shoppers have their say on the shops missing from Kent's 'best town' Read more: Hotel set to be converted into flats after appeal win The driver was treated by paramedics at the scene before being taken to hospital for further medical attention Recovery operations had been completed and the road cleared just before 10am with normal traffic conditions resuming soon after You can find our blog for this incident as it unfolded below For more news follow KentLive to stay in the know To get the latest headlines direct to your email inbox every day, put your email in the box at the top and hit subscribe or visit here Follow KentLive on Facebook - Like our Facebook page to get the latest news in your feed and join in the lively discussions in the comments. Click here to like and follow. Follow us on X - For breaking news and the latest stories. Click here to follow us on X (formerly Twitter). Sign up to our free Kent Traffic and Travel newsletter for the latest on the roads or join our Facebook group Kent Traffic and Travel A man has been taken to hospital after crashing on a busy road. The A21 has been partially blocked after a car crashed into the central reservation this morning (October 29) Emergency services rushed to the north-bound carriageway near Tunbridge Wells at around 6.36am following reports of a collision involving one vehicle. Officers from Kent Police were the first to arrive at the scene between the A228 Pembury Road and Longfield Road junctions Read the full story here. KCC Highways and Inrix have now confirmed that delays have cleared on the A21 northbound near Tunbridge Wells following the earlier crash The route is no longer partially blocked between the A228 Pembury Road and Longfield Road junctions and traffic is flowing smoothly in the area CLEARED - Tunbridge Wells, A21 Northbound. Delays have cleared following an RTC between A228 Pembury Road and Longfield Road junctions: https://t.co/StDI25S0fh A spokesperson for Kent Fire and Rescue Service said: As traffic continues to build on the A21 this morning near Tunbridge Wells following a crash KCC Highways has warned drivers to 'expect delays' Emergency services have confirmed that a car has struck the central reservation on the London-bound carriageway paramedics and fire crews have been called to the scene The A21 northbound is currently partially blocked between the A228 Pembury Road and Longfield Road junctions Tunbridge Wells, A21 Northbound. Reports of an RTC between A228 Pembury Road and Longfield Road junctions. Expect delays in the area: https://t.co/StDI25Sy4P Road users are facing traffic and delays near Tunbridge Wells this morning following a crash on the A21 The northbound carriageway has been partially blocked between the A228 Pembury Road and Longfield Road junctions Traffic and delays are building on approach as a result with queues stretching back towards Pembury Road KCC Highways has deemed this a 'high severity' incident and has urged drivers to 'expect delays in the area' We will be bringing you all the latest updates relating to the collision on the A21 northbound near Tunbridge Wells as we get them Do you have any information or photos? Emailkentlivenewsdesk@reachplc.com Emily Craig was so relaxed in the heats of the Olympics that she let her thoughts stray to her lunch The Pembury rower and partner Imogen Grant arrive in Paris on an incredible 11-race unbeaten streak in the lightweight women’s double They delivered a dominant first-round performance worthy of such an unblemished run winning their heat by a margin of four seconds so much so that Craig’s mind began to wander “I got quite hungry in the middle of it,” said Craig “I was just thinking about lunch - dreamy.” It serves to illustrate just how dominant the Team GB crew have been in recent years They have not lost since finishing fourth at the Tokyo Olympics by the barest of margins and their heat row of 7:04.20 drove rivals from Greece and Ireland into the ground Read more: Sir Steve Redgrave backing Team GB stars at Paris 2024 Read more: The cheapest petrol and diesel you can find in Kent this week “We’ve had a really good six weeks,” said Grant “Lucerne (World Cup) was a really good race for us it’s quite exciting to think we’ve actually got better since then We’ve put down some really good pieces in training Craig is one of over 1,000 elite athletes on UK Sport’s National Lottery-funded World Class Programme they moved through the gears and into Wednesday’s semi-final with only an act of God seemingly able to deny them from winning gold on Friday There are storms forecast for Paris next week but Grant feels ready to grapple with any conditions that face them when the time comes “We have a huge amount of confidence and belief in each other,” said Grant "I can’t think of any other crew in the event that has experienced as many other types of races as we have or crews we have to race when we come to the start line There’s always almost a race we can both reference and go With more than £30M a week raised for Good Causes, including vital funding into elite and grassroots sport, National Lottery players support our Olympic and Paralympic athletes to live their dreams and make the nation proud, as well as providing more opportunities for people to take part in sport. To find out more visit: www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk