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New 20mph speed restrictions have been proposed for part of Ashford in a bid to drive out ‘rat-run’ motorists.
Kennington Community Council has been working with Kent County Council to develop the scheme for the Bybrook area.
The proposal is for a 20mph scheme across the whole Bockhanger and Bybrook area, bounded by the A28, Canterbury Road, Faversham Road and Lower Vicarage Road.
The plan also includes an ‘on-road’ advisory cycle lane on the south-western side of Bybrook Road between Rylands Road and Old School Mews, and a raised table at the site of the existing zebra crossing close to Belmont Road.
Sunny Dhanda, who runs Dhanda Stores in Bockhanger, thinks reducing the speed limit might help protect residents and children in the area.
“I think it’s a good idea, you’ve got so many kids running around the area and cars are speeding around all the time,” he said.
“It’s really dangerous, especially around the shops, a football goes into the road from time to time and you just worry something will happen.
“Drivers aren’t respecting the 30mph limit, so hopefully they will introduce other measures to physically make them slow down; a raised table would be good, but maybe a chicane or even a speed camera would be even better.
“They have to do something, it is dangerous as it is, it definitely needs sorting out.”
The ‘20 is plenty’ plans are currently in early stages, with the community council opening the scheme up to residents to hear their views.
It said: “We have been working to develop a 20mph scheme to resolve speeding issues and rat-running for the Bybrook area.
“Kent County Council has carried out speed surveys to make sure these roads are suitable to be included in the scheme.
“The raised table proposed at the existing zebra crossing in Bybrook Road should help to keep speeds below 20mph at the point where there is a relatively high number of people crossing the road, near to the play park, shops and school.
“The proposed cycle lane will improve cycling facilities for the area, and offer an alternative to Canterbury Road and Faversham Road.
“It has the effect of narrowing the feel of the road, which should help to keep traffic within a 20mph speed limit.”
The 38 affected roads are:
For more details or to fill in an online form to provide feedback, click here
