Anger at new bus lane restrictions in a busy town centre continues to grow.

Since March, motorists who enter a 50-yard stretch of Mount Pleasant In Tunbridge Wells, outside the civic centre, have been slapped with a £70 penalty charge after the route was designated for buses only.

Now residents have launched an online petition calling on Kent County Council to reverse the scheme which is a joint venture with Tunbridge Wells Borough Council (TWBC) who are issuing the fines.

The purpose of the scheme was to “encourage sustainable travel and to reduce noise and air polluton in the town”.

But critics say it is simpy forcing traffic onto narrower, less suitable routes and increasing noise and air pollution elsehwere.

The restriction applies between 9am and 6pm, but taxis and good vehicle deliveries along the road are exempt.

Sally Atkinson launched the petition that received 120 signatures in the first 24 hours.

She said: “The councils carried out no traffic count before launching this scheme and no measurement of the polluton.

“They had no data to justify their actions and will have nothing by which to measure its success or failure.

“I live in Dudley Road and until recently had a dental practice in Newton Road – both roads affected by this scheme. At no time at either address was I consulted for my view – just told: This is happening.

“Our elected representatives should not simply be able to impose their vanity projects on us without good evidence.”

Residents in Dudley Road and York Road, which are both one-way, say they now have to make lengthy journeys to park near their homes.

Mrs Atkinson said: “My neighbour had to do the grand circuit five times the other day – that’s over 20km - before he could park in Dudley Road. This scheme is not reducing traffic it is adding to it.”

Mrs Atkinson also complained of the poor signage, leading to some motorists inadvertantly entering the bus lane.

Peter Greenwood from Hildenborough was one of those.

He received four penalty tickets from TWBC before realising what he had done wrong.

He said: “Although I live in Tonbridge, I visit Tunbridge Wells regularly as my daughter works in the Fenwicks Mall.

“Last month I received four PCNs all for driving in a bus lane.

“I had no idea why. I spent a week trying to get through to somebody in TWBC parking services but eventually managed it and had it explained to me that I cannot turn left at the end on Monson Road onto Mount Pleasant Road and if I turn down Newton Road (which I frequently do) then I must turn left up Monson Road.”

“But the sign telling drivers to turn left up Monson Road is wholly inadequate and easily missed, as I have done so on several occasions!”

He said he later stood in Monson Road and in the space of 10 minutes had to advise six motorists who were about to commit the same “offence” that they would get fined.

Part of the problem has been that some roads have a warning sign only on the right-hand side of the carriageway.

Residents clajm it is difficult to see at best and impossible to see if it happens to be obscured by a bus or lorry as you drive past.

Additionally, the one warning sign in Calverly Road (again on the right-hand side of the road) was initially angled away from the traffic making it impossible to see. That has now been fixed.

But Mr Greenwood, who has been driving for 38 years, also said the signs were confusing even when visible.

He said: “They are largley blue permissive signs for buses and cycles, rather than red prohibitive signs barring cars.”

“And they were all initially labled “Except for access.” What does that mean? It was access I wanted.”

In what seems to be an admission that the “except for access” was adding to the confusion, that wording has now been taped over by KCC.

James Mcinroy is the KCC member for Tunbridge Wells West. He admitted that he too had not seen the sign when travelling down Calverley Road and turning left along Monson Road.

He had escaped a fine because he only went as far as the dry-cleaners then turned round and came back.

He told Mr Greenwood: “Obviously, changes will have to be made, as the existing system is not working.”

The petition against the scheme can be accessed here. It is open until August 2

Mr Greenwood paid his first two fines, assuming he must have done something wrong. He is appealling the second two on the grounds of inadequate signage.

He said: “This bus lane must be creating a very nice revenue stream for TWBC!”

Last month three people were injured after a car drove into the Blacks outdoor store in Monson Road.

An eyewitness told KentOnline she believed the driver could have been attempting to turn around to avoid traffic restrictions on Monson Road.

“I have to say it’s been an accident waiting to happen,” she said. “People are always doing three point turns to avoid going down Monson Road towards the war memorial because you will get a fine.

“We’ve said it for quite a few years.”

TWBC has been approached for comment.