New traffic layout ‘will cause crashes and road rage’
A change to a busy main road is causing confusion for drivers because new road markings don’t match traffic signs.
The signs in London Road, Allington, at the junction with Beaver Road have been altered to create an entrance to a new housing development.
But Ted Bates of The Oaks, Aylesford, said he is expecting road-rage incidents or accidents along this stretch.
Traffic heading from Maidstone to Aylesford near the Sir Thomas Wyatt pub used to be directed to the outside of two lanes by crosshatching on the road, as the lefthand lane was restricted to turning left into Beaver Road.
Now arrows on the road indicate both lanes are straight on, encouraging some to drive across the hatching.
This surprises others following the previous route, who suddenly find themselves cut up on the inside. The roadside signs still indicate the inside lane is for turning-left only, contradicting the road markings.
A Kent County Council spokesman said the white hatching signs were due to be removed soon.
Mr Bates has raised concerns about a ‘hidden’ traffic light which he says startles drivers travelling from Aylesford to Maidstone.
The system of lights hasn’t changed, except to add a new left turn to the new houses, but Mr Bates has noticed motorists appear to only see the lights on the centre island.
There is a set on the left, but they are round a bend and not visible until the last moment.
The centre island light controls only right-turn traffic and often shows red when traffic going straight on actually has a green.
Mr Bates said: “I have witnessed a column of cars approaching and the lead car stopping unexpectedly very nearly causing a collision with the vehicles following. The driver was reacting to what he saw – a red light. Why should they be looking elsewhere?” Mr Bates said other junctions have double aspect lights on the centre island, also showing the condition for traffic going straight on.
A KCC spokesman said the developer had implemented the scheme and further road safety audits are due, adding: “The traffic lights from the Aylesford direction have not changed for well over a decade and the turnright-only light on the central reservation is the same style from before the works.”