Lighting Scheme for Tonbridge's Riverside Route to Start This November

Work on a new lighting scheme for the Riverside Route in Tonbridge is due to start this November, after a longer-than-expected wait to appoint a contractor, Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council has confirmed.

The 380-metre path links Town Lock with the retail parks at Vale Road and Cannon Lane, and is a popular route between the town centre, shops, offices and residential areas for both pedestrians and cyclists. The council's Cabinet approved the lighting plans last year, but the project has taken longer than expected to move forward after early difficulties finding a suitable contractor. Cllr Adem Mehmet, Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Tonbridge Regeneration, said: "We know this is an improvement many people have wanted and needed, so we'd like to thank residents for their patience while we worked through the procurement process and secured the right contractor."

The £100,000 scheme, funded through the Government's UK Shared Prosperity Fund and the Business Rates Pool programme, is designed to reduce light pollution for wildlife along the River Medway - the council says it has consulted the Kent Wildlife Trust and the Environment Agency on carefully directed column lighting that lights the path without disrupting habitats nearby. Work is expected to be finished by Christmas. Source: Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council