Residents are being asked again to give their views on a raft of proposed parking restrictions which will blanket their community with double yellow lines.

And if householders in Kings Hill feel they have been through this before, they are right – they have, several times.

Tonbridge and Malling first initiated a review of parking in the area back in October 2019.

Consultations were carried out then, and then again just under two years later in June 2021 and again in March 2022.

No action has come as a result of any of the events.

But the borough says that because of the time which has elapsed since the last consultation, and in view of the fact Kent County Council (KCC) has brought forward proposals to make Fortune Lane and Milton Way one-way, it will consult again.

However, it will only be residents’ current responses which will be counted and they should not rely on any submissions they have made before.

The proposals will see a massive expansion of double yellow lines across the parish, plus the addition of some clearways alongside bus stops.

Altogether 32 roads will be affected, which would alter the appearance of Kings Hill which is currently virtually free of road markings.

Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council (TMBC) said the changes were intended to improve traffic movement, maintain access to properties, maintain public transport facilities, improve visibility at junctions and improve safety near schools.

The consultation will finish this Sunday.

Further details of the proposals can be found here, where there is also a link to make a response to the consultation.

Kings Hill Parish Council has approached the local authority with a number of requests.

It wants more weight to be given to the feedback from those residents who might be negatively impacted by the implementation of double yellow lines and wants the borough to take into account the public comments that may have been submitted to previous consultations.

The parish council would like any restrictions to be focused on those parking near to crossing points and roundabouts.

It also wants the borough to consider what negative effect the migration of displaced vehicles might have on other areas not directly affected by the double-lining proposals.

Councillor Felix McLymont is chairman of the parish transport committee. He said: “When I moved to Kings Hill a couple of years ago, there were no yellow lines at all. Then the lines in Tower View were the first to go in.

“It doesn’t look as nice, but it seems this is one of those things you have to do to make people respect the area.

“There are certainly problems on some of our roads - Fortune Way, for example, near Waitrose. People park on both sides and it becomes difficult – dangerous even – to get down there.

“Yet for the most part, people have driveways or car ports they could be using, they just don’t.”

“There‘s a similar problem with parking on Discovery Drive near the golf course, up to Bovarde Avenue. Again people park both sides and it is interfering with the bus service.”

“In the evenings, people park right up to the roundabout; I’ve seen it myself.”

Parish councilor Sarah Barker added: “Speaking as a resident, there are points where parking is causing a problem – around the junction of Discovery Drive and Fortune Way for example, and Discovery Drive and Beacon Avenue.
“It’s mainly near the roundabouts and key junctions they are needed.”

The subject has been the topic of some debate, where one resident commented: “There are plans to place double yellow lines around the Silver Ball Roundabout – in the 12 years I have lived on Kings Hill I have never seen anyone parked on the roundabout. This seems excessive and unnecessary.

Another said: “If traffic officers simply enforced the Highway Code and ticketed non-compliant parking, that would be a much more sensible use of resources and would avoid all the yellow lines that are just over the top in my opinion.”

A third thought: “Putting yellow lines in some places won’t solve the problem. Parking will just be moved elsewhere.”

Cllr Mclymont said: “The consultation closes this Sunday. I urge everyone, please please please make a response – whatever it is.”