The son of a woman killed in a two-car crash on the A258 Deal to Sandwich road says he feels cheated that safety improvements still have not been made.

Scott Charman, 30, was at his home in Wilson Avenue, Deal, on September 20 when his mother, Pauline Del-a-cour, 52, was involved in a collision on the road.

She was airlifted to hospital in London and died three days later.

Despite an independent safety review recommending improvements after the death, Kent County Council revealed it will not be making the suggested changes.

These included installing mirrors, putting up more street lighting or reducing the speed limit of the road.

In a letter to nearby Martha Trust, which instigated the independent study, the county council said its decision not to act was due to regulations and policies.

Mr Charman has since labelled the authority “incompetent.”

The authority has not responded to our request for a comment.

He said: “I think it’s ridiculous. Every time someone mentions the Deal to Sandwich road, you don’t have to finish their sentence – you know there’s been an accident.

“It’s over-used, people go too fast and there isn’t enough discouragement of going too fast. It needs to change.

“The fact it hasn’t changed shows a complete lack of care for human life.”

The non-driver has been a passenger along the road and he knows people complain about it.

“The accidents are so frequent. I don’t believe for one moment it’s the drivers alone.

“It needs to be bigger or slower. It’s very simple.

“There needs to be an actual speed bump to slow people down slightly or something to encourage people not to go so fast or to be so reckless.

“That’s what causes so many people to be killed.”

This Christmas was the first that Mr Charman and his three sisters, Vicky, Nicola and Natalie, spent without their mother.

Natalie was travelling in the car at the time of the accident and remembers nothing. She was 37 weeks pregnant.

Ms Del-a-cour was taking her to a hospital appointment. She has since had a baby boy who after some time in hospital is now home and doing well.

Mr Charman said: “Our mum was generous, outgoing, friendly and polite but most of all selfless.”

Ms Del-a-cour worked as a carer up until five years ago, when she was forced to give up working due to a back injury.

He added: “Most people who knew her would describe her as selfless.

“It’s been very challenging to adjust without her being here, especially this Christmas.

“Our mum was generous, outgoing, friendly and polite but most of all selfless" - Scott Charman

“We would always be together on Christmas Day. It is absolutely heart-breaking and I feel cheated but I have to accept that I can’t change it.”

Traffic investigator Alex Hawk of Safety and Management Solutions (SAMS) reported a lack of visibility and street lighting, and had concerns about speeding traffic.

His report was sent to KCC. In response on November 18, KCC said it had looked at the recommendations and visited the site but, due to regulations and policies, it will not be installing mirrors, additional street or sign lighting or reducing the speed limit.

The letter said: “The speed limit is consistent with the latest Department for Transport guidance on the setting of local speed limits.

“DfT guidance states a 50mph speed limit should be considered for lower quality A and B roads that may have a relatively high number of bends, junctions or accesses. A speed limit lower than this, with no evidenced safety issue, is likely to lead to a high level of non-compliance.”

Mr Charman is keen to work with Martha Trust, KCC and MP Charlie Elphicke to see change.