The Borough Green Traffic Action Group (BG -TAG) was formed in 2003 by local people in Borough Green specifically for the village of Borough Green. At a packed Public Meeting in August 2003 over 300 people asked for a Traffic Action Group to be formed to steer the public request for 3 Pedestrian Crossings in Borough Green. BG-TAG represent the public of Borough Green and to date the progress on their 3 pedestrian crossings are as follows:
Primary School Crossing – after 3 public marches around the village during 2003 – 2005 this first crossing was installed in February 2005 by Kent County Council (KCC). However, despite this first success of BG TAG the crossing itself was deemed not of good finish and described as a 2nd hand carpet by one local. BG TAG have advised the BG Parish Council and KCC that it needs to be tidied up on safety grounds as well as appearance.
Western Road Crossing – KCC approved the crossing for deployment in January 2007 but local concerns on its exact location have meant that KCC are now reviewing a better position for maximum benefit to the public. The village are awaiting news of the new location towards the top of Western Road.
Additional projects being nurtured by BG TAG are as follows:
A25 Sevenoaks Road Crossing – this crossing is linked into the wider proposals currently being undertaken between T&MBC and the owner of the Red Lion Public House. The Red Lion and its garden is under negotiation for conversion to houses which would include traffic calming measures needing to be agreed on the A25. These traffic calming measures look set to include a small roundabout and the pedestrian crossing. Click here or on the plan to see more.
Recreation Ground Pedestrian Crossing – BGTAG have been asked to investigate any opportunity of re-sighting this crossing in the position of where people actually cross the A25 – that is about 30 metres to the left of where it currently is located as you exit the recreation ground. The reason being that people are largely not using the crossing and cutting across the A25 at peril simply as the crossing is not where they naturally walk.
Fairfield Road – BG TAG have supported the people of Fairfield Road in increasing pedestrian safety on the A25 via a new entrance to the CO OP supermarket and train station. This will significantly help those accessing these facilities on a daily basis and reduce the risk of walking on the A25 where no pavement exists. Final decisions on T&MBC purchasing a small piece of Land from Roman Court to enable this to happen are due soon.
Traffic Speed Cameras – the A227 speed Camera partially fulfills its role by preventing speeding drivers
from continually speeding from Tollgate to Potters Meade. It does make speeding
drivers slow down between Tollgate and Wye Road but it is realised that vehicles
once again speed after passing through the camera. This is an issue over which
BG TAG are liaising with the Kent and Medway Camera Partnership. The proposal
for the A25 is for a speed awareness campaign using Average Speed Camera signs
placed at Dark Hill and Wrotham Heath ends of the A25 to include the village
of Platt. This is currently being raised with KCC Highways – more detail to follow soon.....
Below is a letter from BG-TAG to KCC written in February 2006 highlighting a number of issues:
