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People in East Farleigh, Maidstone, are calling on Kent Highways and Network Rail to solve their traffic misery

00:01, 02 April 2015

Villagers are calling on road and rail bosses to work together to put an end to years of traffic misery.

People in East Farleigh have reached the end of their tether after enduring heated rows and heavy congestion outside their houses on a daily basis.

Homeowners say when traffic is at its worse, tailbacks can stretch for at least half-a-mile in both directions and block a one-lane bridge between Farleigh Lane and Station Hill.

Residents Sarah Hobbs and Jeff Leahy at Farleigh Bridge in East Farleigh, calling for action to solve the traffic problems. Picture by Matthew Walker.
Residents Sarah Hobbs and Jeff Leahy at Farleigh Bridge in East Farleigh, calling for action to solve the traffic problems. Picture by Matthew Walker.

Sarah Hobbs, who lives next to the historic bridge with her 12-year-old daughter, said: “The area is very narrow and when it gets congested, it becomes gridlocked.

“I’ve seen people get out of their cars to shout or to fight when someone has refused to reverse but most of the time they can’t go back because there’s a huge queue of traffic behind them. We need a solution and fast because the situation is getting worse.

"This isn't just a village problem. It affects everyone who uses this route to drive to work or take their children to school, as well as delivery drivers and emergency services."

Mrs Hobbs has launched a Facebook page to share photos and videos of the congestion and of people losing their temper on the Grade I listed bridge, which is used by more than 6,000 vehicles every day, according to the parish council’s feasibility study in 2012.

Sarah Hobbs is posting pictures and videos of the village's traffic problems on a dedicated Facebook page.
Sarah Hobbs is posting pictures and videos of the village's traffic problems on a dedicated Facebook page.

The 35-year-old hopes the campaign, titled The Rage on East Farleigh Bridge, will encourage local authorities to consider a road management scheme.

The problems also involve Network Rail, as traffic tends to build up when the level crossing is sometimes closed for up to nine minutes to allow two trains to pass.

Jeff Leahy, of Farleigh Bridge, is backing the call for action.

The 52-year-old, who was once punched in the mouth by someone who wouldn’t move their car, said: “I think the route should be made into a one-way with Teston bridge and stopping lorries from using the bridges would be a good start, too. The bridges weren’t designed to hold these huge artic trucks.”

Mrs Hobbs believes traffic lights could be an option.

A KCC spokesman said it would consider the community’s request, providing the residents have suitable evidence and support from a local councillor.

He said: "We have to make tough decisions on where to improve traffic and road safety in local areas. This means we have to say 'no' more than we'd like, especially if the request won't reduce casualties. We look at the sites most in need of improvement first, which have got the support of the whole community.

Sarah Hobbs is using the Facebook to post videos of road rage incidents on the historic bridge.
Sarah Hobbs is using the Facebook to post videos of road rage incidents on the historic bridge.

"We're happy to consider all requests as long as residents go through the following steps: Check the crash history of the site by visiting www.crashmap.co.uk to see if any crashes in the last three years have resulted in personal injury. If so, they can go to get community support from a local representative. Depending on where they live, this is likely to be a county, district or parish councillor.

"If the representatives are not supportive, we can't consider the request. Finally, the community representatives can contact us if there's a crash history and local support for an improvement to the road."

Advisory: Video contains strong language

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