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Calls grow for 20mph limits on ‘dangerous’ routes in Whitstable, Tankerton and Swalecliffe
06:00, 03 October 2021
Residents are demanding urgent action to tackle speeding - with growing calls for 20mph zones on “dangerous” routes.
A new Speedwatch group has identified hotspots across Whitstable, Tankerton and Swalecliffe, which campaigners say would benefit from traffic calming measures.
Borstal Hill, Marine Parade, Tankerton Road, Castle Road and Joy Lane are among roads singled out by the group, due to concerns over speeding.
The B2205 in Swalecliffe - covering Herne Bay Road, St John’s Road and Colewood Road - has also been dubbed a “danger” route.
The CT5 Forum - a residents group set up after the city council scrapped the Whitstable Forum - launched a new Speedwatch group in August.
A traffic subgroup has also been established to discuss how speeding can be tackled in the area.
James Flanagan, a co-ordinator at CT5 Speedwatch, says the group has identified speeding hotspots - but is sure there are others.
“On some of those roads there is a danger - particularly on some of the residential roads where it’s 30mph,” he said.
“We’ve seen people speeding and on some of the roads we’re waiting to go to, we’ve had feedback from residents to say they are concerned about passing cars.
“Speaking personally, it would be good to see some of those roads have 20mph zones to calm the speed of the traffic down.
“Part of our role as Speedwatch is to raise the awareness to drivers and passersby about watching your speed on these roads.”
Whitstable West KCC councillor Mark Dance (Con) said he had used his member’s grant to introduce a 20mph zone in and around Saddleton Road.
“Unfortunately I have no funding for more 20mph zones and certainly don’t disagree that these two roads [Borstal Hill and Joy Lane] are in need of Speedwatch,” he said.
He said funding for the “foreseeable future” had been put into a zebra crossing opposite the Umbrella Centre.
This comes after parents raised concerns about the safety of youngsters crossing the road near St Alphege CE Infant School, as reported in June by KentOnline’s sister newspaper the Whitstable Gazette.
Borstal Hill has been described as a “death trap” by Gorrell city councillor Chris Cornell (Lab).
A man tragically died on August 4 after he left the road while riding his bike down the hill.
“After the recent death of a cyclist on the junction with Joy Lane, several residents have spoken to me about KCC’s dismissive attitude,” he said.
“We need the immediate reintroduction of the speed camera outside the old Four Horseshoes pub and physical barriers to slow people down at the bottom.”
He said he would support 20mph zones being introduced in Borstal Hill and Joy Lane if traffic calming measures, such as speed bumps, are implemented too.
“My experience in Saddleton Road is that 20mph areas without speed bumps or speed tables do not really change behaviour,” he added.
A Kent County Council spokesman said that when there is a fatality, the results of police and coroner investigations help inform decisions on whether road changes are needed to prevent similar incidents in future.
Meanwhile, Whitstable East KCC and Tankerton city councillor Neil Baker (Con) - who is one of the Speedwatch volunteers - says it is “easier to say which roads don’t have a problem with speeding”.
“A 20mph zone may be the best option in some roads - changes to road layouts and markings may be more suitable in others,” he said.
“It’s all about finding the right solution that will lead to a permanent improvement.
“A one-size-fits-all approach may not be appropriate.”
But he added there are limited funds and councillors countywide are “desperate” for road safety improvements.
However, he is hopeful the amount of ideas coming forward and information being gathered will be able to successfully make the case for some work locally.
“I’m keen to act as a liaison between residents, the Speedwatch volunteers, the CT5 Forum, police and KCC to try and make things safer for all,” he said.
