Tunbridge Wells: North Farm traffic changes welcomed

Traders have been calling for solutions to North Farm congestion since big-name stores moved in

Traders on a traffic-clogged retail and industrial park in Kent have welcomed a £5m plan to improve the road layout.

Traffic problems have escalated at North Farm Industrial Estate in Tunbridge Wells since Marks and Spencer, John Lewis and Asda opened.

The government and Kent County Council are to fund the road changes, with work getting under way in April next year.

"We think the improvements are going to make a very big difference," said David Aisher, of Drakes Plumbing Supplies.

"It can get to the point where everything comes to a complete standstill.

"It is just mayhem and many of our customers say that there's no point in coming down here at certain times of the day."

Gyratory system

The improvements, under the Department for Transport's local pinch point fund include widening Longfield Road from the A21 to the supermarket and replacing T-junctions at the cinema and John Lewis turnings with roundabouts.

The entrance to PC World and B&Q will become a gyratory system.

"It is part of the solution but it is not the whole picture," said Mr Aisher.

"Unless they get the Pembury Road, Southborough and the A21 sorted out all that is going to happen is that more people are going to come down here and whizz through the estate.

"Tunbridge Wells is still going to be jammed up."