More than 70,000 drivers have been fined for driving along a restricted stretch of Mount Pleasant Road in Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Since April 2023, 71,836 penalty
charge notices have been issued, according to a Freedom of Information (FOI) request submitted by the BBC to the Tunbridge Wells Borough Council (TWBC).
The road is restricted to buses, taxis, and bicycles between 09:00 and 18:00 BST to create a more pleasant environment for pedestrians and cyclists. Drivers who enter the restricted zone between Church Road and Monson Road during these hours can receive a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) by mail.
Of the total fines issued, 16,131 motorists have successfully appealed, citing unclear signage as a major issue. Local resident Chris Calvo, who has been fined twice, described the signs as "pretty unclear." He noted, “It’s not very clear on the approaching roads that you shouldn't go through that small section.”
Another resident, Eliza Grant, recounted witnessing a car perform a three-point turn upon realizing it was about to enter the restricted zone, indicating confusion among drivers.
TWBC, in collaboration with Kent County Council (KCC), has upgraded the signage to raise public awareness of the restrictions. The council emphasizes its commitment to working with the public and listening to feedback.
Amanda Humphrey, a nearby resident who doesn't drive, expressed disbelief at the number of fines issued to people she knows. “There’s lots of pedestrian crossings in the town centre, so it doesn’t really make a difference to me. I don’t see the point in closing off that little piece of road other than to make our lives more difficult.”
A spokesperson for TWBC stated: "Significantly fewer cars have passed through the public realm bus lane restriction on Mount Pleasant Road in recent months, which we hope is making the town centre a more pleasant environment for pedestrians and cyclists. We strongly urge anyone who has received a Penalty Charge Notice to use the appeals procedure if they feel there are circumstances that justify canceling the penalty charge." Photo by Peter Trimming, Wikimedia commons.