Latest news

A big thank you to all those of you that responded to the KCC consultation on the 20mph scheme - now closed https://kccconsultations.inconsult.uk/Faversham_Speed_Limit .

KCC will now analyse the results and combine them with information from attitudinal surveys, observational studies and speed data from the Vivacity cameras, installed on various streets in Faversham before making a final decision, sometime later this year.

In the meantime, this Commonplace site remains open for any further suggestions on making Faversham a better place for walking and cycling. Over the coming months, Faversham Town Council will use your suggestions as it develops a Local Cycling and Walking Plan for Faversham and surrounding villages and will seek your views on the proposals in due course.

Adrian Berendt

9 March 2021

We’re now more than halfway through the experimental period for the 20mph scheme. If you want to ensure that it becomes a permanent feature in Faversham, please complete the consultation at https://kccconsultations.inconsult.uk/consult.ti/Faversham_Speed_Limit/consultationHome .

Many of you commented on the Bysing Wood Road planters and you will see that they have been moved to a more suitable place. We are now considering moving the 20mph gateway nearer to Western Link junction to include the West Faversham Community Centre. Please let us have your thoughts on this suggestion at https://20mphfaversham.commonplace.is/comment or by emailing commonplace@favershamtowncouncil.gov.uk

We’re now looking at other changes to improve the street environment for walking and cycling and continue to welcome your views on possible interventions. Interventions might include:

• Making it safer to cross streets on the ‘cross town alleyway’ by creating a walking route from South Road along Cross Lane and Gatefield Lane to the Rec. These improvements would create highly visible crossing points and reduce the speed of traffic.

• Develop easier pedestrian crossing points near Stonebridge pond along the Whitstable Road and at the Mall/Forbes Road junction.

• Additional safety improvements to the existing Forbes Road zebra crossing.

We’re also aware that, while we haven’t had many comments on Commonplace about Lower Road, we know there are continued issues about speeding in the area. We welcome more feedback about concerns and possible solutions.

At some point in the future, we want to identify possible locations for a ‘Healthy Streets” experiment where motor vehicles have limited access, similar to the existing arrangement where Hatch Street meets Fielding Street or where Penshurst Rise meets The Knole.

One of the aims of the 20mph scheme in Faversham is to enable people to cycle and walk more. There are many challenges for people that want to use their bikes in Faversham, whether for everyday journeys, getting to and from school, for commuting or for leisure and exercise. The Town Council is holding a Zoom webinar as part of its Cyclefest activities to explore some of the issues.

Guest speakers Luke Anderson, Cycling Delivery Manager for British Cycling UK and Adrian Wills, Head of Communications for Cycling UK will talk about some of these challenges, how other places have tackled them and some of the ways that their organisations can help.

Cllr Julian Saunders will introduce the event, which starts at 7pm. Further details are here: https://www.facebook.com/events/792827654833999/

Thanks for all the helpful comments received on https://20mphfaversham.commonplace.is/ . While your comments are evenly spread across the town, you have highlighted particular streets where you feel unsafe, often due to speeding vehicles: Whitstable Road, Saxon Road, the A2, South Road / Ospringe Road and elsewhere. You have also told us that there are many streets where you’d like to see additional or enhanced crossing points: Whitstable Road, the A2 and South Road / Ospringe Road again feature highly, as does the Mall / Forbes Road.

A key concern has been about speed compliance and we will look to include additional measures as part of the next wave of interventions.

Continuing concerns about the position of the planters on Bysing Wood Road have meant that KCC will be moving them soon.

You told us about the need to reduce cycling in areas reserved for pedestrians. One objective of the 20mph scheme is to make using a bike on the road feel safer and give people less reason to ride on the pavement. Nevertheless, the Town Council recognises the issues and, as well as adding more signs in the town centre, more bicycle racks have been installed.

Many of you have already signed the 20mph pledge card, agreeing to drive within the speed limit around town. Pledge cards are still available, as are the ‘Cleaner, Safer, Healthier’ stickers for wheelie bins.

You pick up both the pledge card and the bin stickers from the Town Hall, email commonplace@favershamtc.gov.uk or come and see us at the market stall, once we start them again.

Adrian Berendt 16th November 2020

Thanks to all that have commented. We now have nearly 800 comments on https://20mphfaversham.commonplace.is/ about making Faversham better for walking and cycling. Last call for more comments before we summarise your suggestions for proposals that would benefit the 20mph scheme.

We’ve raised your concerns about the planters on Bysingwood Road with KCC and we’re looking into whether we can make any changes.

Many of you have contacted us about cycling on pavements and in areas reserved for pedestrians. One of the objectives of the 20mph scheme is to make it feel safer for people to use their bike on the road and not feel the need to use pavements. The Town Council has also taken steps to address the problem by installing cyclist dismount signs in Preston Street and will soon install more bicycle racks – more news next week.

Cycle training sessions are still available on 25th October. Call the West Faversham Community Centre reception on 01795 537321. A 90 minute introductory session costs just £10. There are sessions for beginners and sessions for those that want to get more confident riding a bike on busy roads. These will also help drivers that want to understand how cyclists are being taught to ride safely. Do book onto one and experience it yourself.

‘Cleaner, Safer, Healthier’ stickers for wheelie bins still available from the Town Hall, or email commonplace@favershamtc.gov.uk

Lots to cover this week: planters planted, councillors photographed, webinar published, wheelie bin stickers and cycle training now available

County Councillor Michael Payne and Town Councillor Eddie Thomas officially launch the 20mph scheme.

The planters are looking much better now that they are planted up. KCC has agreed to maintain them during the period of the trial, which is good news. Let us know if you and your neighbours want to adopt one and keep it looking nice.

Eddie Thomas chaired a webinar about the 20mph scheme. Panellists Amanda Russell, founder of the 20’s Plenty for Faversham campaign, Phil Jones, the scheme designer and Jamie Watson, KCC project manager spoke about:

• the history of the scheme and how it has received widespread support from within the community and across the political spectrum;

• the design of the current scheme and possible future enhancements; and

• how the funding was obtained from central government.

They answered questions sent in on a variety of topics: enforcement, air pollution, how 20mph reduces road danger and many others. If you have any questions about the scheme, watch the webinar at https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=370378990667768&extid=gWUzOEocBNM4dfd8 .

We have received over 600 comments at https://20mphfaversham.commonplace.is/ about making Faversham better for walking and cycling. We will shortly close this stage of the engagement and assess how to implement your initial suggestions. If you have more concerns or other thoughts, let us know within the next couple of weeks. Once we have summarised your suggestions, we will start gathering your feedback on which proposals would bring most benefit to the scheme in practice.

Cycle training sessions are still available on Sunday 4th or 25th October. Call the West Faversham Community Centre reception on 01795 537321. A 90 minute introductory session costs just £10. There are sessions for beginners and sessions for those that want to get more confident riding a bike on busy roads. These will also help drivers that want to understand how cyclists are being taught to ride safely. Do book onto one and experience it yourself.

‘Healthier, Safer, Cleaner’ stickers for wheelie bins are available from the Town Hall, or email commonplace@favershamtowncouncil.gov.uk

Most signs, roundels and gateways are now in and the 20mph scheme is live. However, 20mph is just the start of a longer-term plan to make Faversham better and safer for cycling and walking. As the scheme is experimental, it can be changed according to the responses we receive. We need your feedback at https://20mphfaversham.commonplace.is/ .

Lots of you have commented on the planters at the scheme gateways, particularly those near Sainsbury's.

The original plan for implementing 20mph across the town included engineering measures at certain locations, such as at Bysing Wood Road, where it was felt that signs alone wouldn’t reduce vehicle speeds sufficiently. A condition of government funding was to implement the scheme more quickly than first envisaged. Using planters as a temporary option means that they can be moved more easily and will help KCC to see exactly where permanent features should be installed.

Concerns continue about people cycling on pavements and in the pedestrianised areas of town. The Town Council is working with KCC to offer cycle training at West Faversham Community Centre on the following Sundays: 20 September, 4 October and 25 October.

Book through reception 01795 537321. £10 a participant for 90 minutes. The courses are not just for those that want to ride a bike on busy roads. They can also help drivers to understand why cyclists are being taught to ride in a way which keeps them safe. Why not give the course a try?

Please keep your suggestions coming for making Faversham better for cycling and walking and ask your friends and neighbours to contribute here .

Among concerns about the 20mph scheme, three questions are frequently raised:

How will people comply with the new speed limit?

• Most people comply within a few mph of speed limits. Even on the (atypical) streets selected by the Dept for Transport, average speeds on 20mph streets are 5mph lower than on 30mph streets. Most 20mph streets have even lower average speeds.

• New technology, compulsory on all new models from 2022, will increasingly ensure that speed limits are adhered to.

• If more of us act as ‘pace cars’, others will also comply, helping to gain more acceptance that 20mph is the right speed limit where people and motor vehicles mix.

• We will use your feedback here to improve the scheme with additional traffic calming measures where possible. Tell us where .

• Community Speedwatch is a great way of the community helping to educate drivers about the new speed limits.

• The police will enforce where they see specific issues. Please add your particular places of concern here .

Emergency response times

20mph speed limits have been found to make no material change. Transport for London reports that emergency response times of 5m and 13 seconds are unchanged in 2019 from 2005, before 20mph zones were introduced. The 2 miles between Love Lane and West Faversham Community Centre takes about 8 minutes, an average speed of 16mph.

Cycling on pavements and through pedestrian areas

The Town Council shares these very real concerns and is doing its best to discourage it, although it is not permitted to enforce laws.

For all questions on 20mph, this report to the Welsh Government is an excellent read

Please keep your suggestions coming for making Faversham better for cycling and walking and ask your friends and neighbours to contribute at https://20mphfaversham.commonplace.is/ .

Among concerns about the 20mph scheme, three questions are frequently raised:

How will people comply with the new speed limit work?

• Most people comply within a few mph of speed limits. Even on the (atypical) streets selected by the Dept for Transport, average speeds on 20mph streets are 5mph lower than on 30mph streets. Most 20mph streets have even lower average speeds.

• New technology, compulsory on all new models from 2022, will increasingly ensure that speed limits are adhered to.

• If more of us act as ‘pace cars’, others will also comply, helping to gain acceptance that 20mph is the right speed limit where people and motor vehicles mix.

• We are looking to improving the scheme with additional traffic calming measures where possible. Tell us your specific issues here .

• Community Speedwatch is a great way of the community helping to educate drivers about the new speed limits.

• The police will enforce where there are specific issues. Please add your particular areas of concern at https://20mphfaversham.commonplace.is/ .

Emergency response times

20mph speed limits have been found to make no material change. Transport for London reports that emergency response times of 5m and 13 seconds are unchanged in 2019 from 2005, before 20mph zones were introduced. The 2 miles between Love Lane and West Faversham Community Centre takes about 8 minutes, an average speed of 16mph.

Cyclings on pavements and cycling in pedestrian areas

The Town Council shares these very real concerns and is doing its best to discourage this, although it is not permitted to enforce laws.

Finally, for all questions on 20mph, this report to the Welsh Government is an excellent read.

Next week: look out for a summary of last week's webinar on 20mph Faversham

An expert panel will discuss the town-wide 20mph Faversham scheme on Thursday 3rd September @5:30. Log on here https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87165624744?pwd=ZG1WbGRIVGd1T1JYZ1c5T2U5NU5MUT09 to watch / listen to the experts and ask your questions. Webinar will be chaired by Eddie Thomas from Faversham Town Council. Panellists are:

Phil Jones, from PJA Ltd, the scheme designers

Jamie Watson, KCC project manager for the scheme

Amanda Russell, 20's Plenty for Faversham campaign founder

This week's news post responds to some of those concerns and highlights a webinar next Thursday at 5:30, where you can ask questions of the scheme designer, Phil Jones; the KCC project manager, Jamie Watson; and Amanda Russell, the founder of 20's Plenty for Faversham. Please register your interest at https://www.facebook.com/events/937987673366355 .

What are people asking?

1) How will the new speed limit will be enforced?

Most people comply within a few mph of a speed limit, but once the scheme has been in place for a while, we will investigate whether additional traffic calming measures are needed. Please have your say here to tell us where you experience issues. Over time, new blackbox technology in cars will ensure that all speed limits are adhered to. Until then, the police will enforce where they see a particular compliance issues.

2) Who is paying for the scheme?

While the scheme has received continued support from the Faversham community over a long period, an opportunity has arisen to obtain funding from the Government’s Emergency Active Travel Fund. This means that Faversham residents are not paying for the scheme out of local taxes.

3) How much support is there for the scheme?

Broad support from the community in Faversham has existed over many years. KCC and the Town Council are now engaging with local people to confirm that support . Across the country, 20mph is consistently supported by 2 out of 3 people . KCC recently conducted their own survey and found a similar number (65%) in Swale and across Kent were supportive.

4) Why implement the scheme now before consulting?

There are two reasons. The first is that the government funding referred to above required it to be implemented quickly. The second reason is that getting feedback on a scheme in reality is usually better than speculating on what might / might not happen.

5) Are there more signs going in? (and why are some road markings a horrible garish yellow?)

With any scheme like this, it takes time to install everything. The gateway signs to the new zone are now in, with repeater signs to follow. Everything will be complete by 18th September. Feedback on the yellow colour as ranged from 'it stands out too much' to 'you can't see it'. However, we know it's unpopular and are seeing what can be done.

6) Do people slow down when speed limits are reduced?

The clear answer is yes – on slower roads the reductions are small but are greater on faster roads. The most authoritative source is the BRITE report from the University of West of England about Bristol, which implemented 20mph city-wide.

7) Will emergency response times increase?

The evidence is that overall response times do NOT increase. Emergency services such as the Ambulance service supports 20mph because of its positive impact on road casualties, which help lighten the load on emergency services. A report just issued by Transport for London shows that emergency response times are unchanged in 2019 compared with 2005, before any 20mph zones existed in London. The average first appliance response time is 5m and 13 seconds in both cases.

8) Does driving at lower speeds cause more pollution?

No. It’s accelerating and braking which cause most pollution, particularly in towns. Driving at a steady 20mph, rather than speeding up to 30mph and then slowing down reduces NOx and particulate matter (including brake and tyre dust) pollution, with little change for CO2. A full report written by Imperial College London is here

For further information on all data on 20mph, the best place is a report written by Phil Jones (who designed the Faversham scheme and is on our webinar panel on Thursday 3rd September ) for the Welsh Government https://pja.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Phil-Jones-Welsh-20mph-Task-Force-Group-Report_2020.pdf

The 20mph Faversham website has been running for a couple of weeks now and we are starting to get good feedback, but we need more comments. Please tell all your friends, family and neighbours about the website and ask them to respond. This is the chance for local people to 'have your say' about how we make Faversham's streets better for everyone, particularly those on foot or using bikes.

Those that have responded so far clearly do not feel as safe as they should when getting around. Top concerns include Faversham's streets being not friendly for cyclists and pedestrians due to speeding vehicles (the biggest worry) and that it's not always easy to cross the street.