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Video of car crashing into 20mph sign in Eyhorne Street, Hollingbourne

15:23, 08 August 2023

updated: 15:51, 08 August 2023

Villagers campaigning for improved safety on a “dangerous” stretch of road want urgent action after a 20mph sign was mowed down.

Footage of the late-night incident in Eyhorne Street, Hollingbourne, near Maidstone shows a speeding car zoom past a home last week before a loud bang is heard.

The pole and sign were knocked out of the ground when the vehicle veered off the road onto the pavement.

One resident who lives nearby, but didn’t want to be named, said: “It took the sign clean out and damaged the trees and path.

“It’s on the bend and there’s been numerous accidents. We have been campaigning for traffic safety in the village for years now.

“We have plenty of parts of the village without pavements, so it’s very dangerous. Last week’s driver just drove off and left.”

Villager Richard Price added: “What more do we have to do to inform drivers of the hazards?

“It already says ‘corner’ and ‘slow’ in the road as well as a 20mph speed limit.

“We need traffic calming measures put in place.”

Fellow resident Beccy Stroud commented: “Hollingbourne residents are extremely proactive regarding trying to reduce the volume, speed and size of vehicles coming through our beautiful village every day.

A 20mph sign was knocked out of the ground in Hollingbourne village
A 20mph sign was knocked out of the ground in Hollingbourne village

“We have an active Speedwatch group and have worked in conjunction with KCC and the parish council to implement speed calming measures throughout. However, we need urgent further measures implemented before a fatality occurs.”

The same stretch of road hit the headlines in 2021 when a minibus carrying children crashed into a garden and flipped on its side.

Officers and paramedics rushed to the scene, but fortunately no children were hurt. The driver suffered a minor injury to their hand.

It was the second time in recent years there has been an accident in the same garden.

Cllr Patrik Garten for North Downs Ward described the traffic in the village as “totally unacceptable and dangerous”.

It’s thought the issue is getting worse recently, with one resident saying: “Hollingbourne is also used more and more with the A249 being congested or shut and is impacted negatively due to Brock.

“It's like gridlock.”

Police have been approached for comment.

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