Questions have been raised over the safety of a busy town centre road in Tunbridge Wells.

Mount Pleasant Road, opposite the Town Hall, was renovated in 2020 to build a new public space in front of the War Memorial, but alterations are still being made.

However the road has seen 18 incidents over the last five years according to crashmap.co.uk.

Last month a woman was hit by a motorcycle in front of the War Memorial, which prompted Cllr Justine Rutland (Lib Dem) to ask the council if it would lobby Kent County Council to improve the road’s safety.

She also had particular concerns about the road crossing with Monson Road, where there have been three incidents in five years.

In a formal question to the council she asked why there was a large disparity between residents' opinion on the road and Kent County Council's.

She said: "Local residents, along with councillors of all parties, have expressed concerns about pedestrian safety in the new public realm in front of the War Memorial.

She said: "These fears were confirmed on April 9 when there was an incident involving a motorbike and two pedestrians, in which two people were taken to hospital.

"One year ago, a KCC review said, the designs and the scheme as delivered have been completed in line with guidance and best practice. No material issues have been raised.”

Responding to the question Cllr David Scott said the road design was still better than before but the council would continue to see if further work was needed.

He said: "KCC has been in constant dialogue with our officers. There is a reduced traffic flow, only allowing buses, taxis and cyclists."

Cllr Scott said: "It’s believed the layout of the street would function as intended and would encourage more pedestrian activity and business growth."

He said: "The alterations and installation of CCTV are nearing completion and the majority of the signs are in place.

"We are working to reducing traffic flows down the street to function as designed and we are monitoring it to see if further engineering is required."

Cllr Scott also revealed the council had looked into other ways road safety could be improved, but drastic changes were unlikely.

He said: "Suggestions made by councillors and officers, such as installing planters on the road to act as an island have been investigated."

But he added: "However there are additional risks as they would need regular maintenance including watering and weeding in the middle of a live road, and could potentially hide small children from driver's views.

"It is not possible to instal any type of island on Mount Pleasant Road."