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Crash at Orbital Park junction on A2070 Bad Munstereifel Road, Ashford, as traffic lights fail again

16:41, 19 August 2024

updated: 17:07, 19 August 2024

A crash involving two cars sparked yet more disruption at a controversial junction as new traffic lights failed again.

Police were called to A2070 Bad Munstereifel Road in Ashford just before 10.30am yesterday while the lights at the Orbital Park junction were down.

The A2070 traffic lights have failed numerous times in recent months, causing chaos for drivers
The A2070 traffic lights have failed numerous times in recent months, causing chaos for drivers

No serious injuries were reported but drivers are now calling for urgent action "before someone is killed".

It comes just days after KentOnline shared motorists' concerns over the four-way junction, which was previously a roundabout but was replaced by signals last year.

The project – called 'Bellamy Gurner' – was seen as a way of easing traffic woes in the area and improving access for those living on the Finberry housing estate.

It was paid for by Finberry housebuilder Crest Nicholson, but many motorists say the roundabout should have stayed in place as the lights have failed numerous times in recent months.

“They go out at some point at least once a week, even more just recently,” resident Chris Galton said.

The 'Bellamy Gurner' scheme has seen a roundabout on the A2070 replaced with traffic lights
The 'Bellamy Gurner' scheme has seen a roundabout on the A2070 replaced with traffic lights
Drivers had to cross several lanes of traffic while the lights were out
Drivers had to cross several lanes of traffic while the lights were out
How the roundabout used to look on the A2070
How the roundabout used to look on the A2070
The four-way traffic light junction on the A2070 Bad Munstereifel Road in Ashford
The four-way traffic light junction on the A2070 Bad Munstereifel Road in Ashford

"It’s becoming more frequent. How long before someone is seriously injured or killed?”

Chiara Buongarzone added: “At some point surely they need to work out what's causing it and fix it for good, not just pop back every other day to turn them back on after a bunch of accidents.”

The signals, which were working again this morning, have been in place since last spring - a year after work first began on the scheme.

KentOnline has approached Crest Nicholson and National Highways, the body responsible for managing the country’s key roads, for comment.

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