Kentish Express Ashford & District
Broken lights put lives at risk
Pedestrians and cyclists could be killed because traffic lights at a crossing are broken, a councillor has warned.
The cycle path was put in place across the A2070 to allow people easier access into the town centre from the Park Farm housing estate.
But Cllr Jim Wedgbury (Con) said that despite reporting the problem to Highways England two weeks ago, nothing has been done.
He said: “Both the borough council and county council have reported it, but neither can touch the lights as they are the responsibility of Highways England.
“They are failing in their responsibility. It is putting lives at risk.
“There are young children and elderly people who also use it to go to Asda in Kimberley Way to do their shopping.”
The mile-long foot and cycle path opened last year after the council won £600,000 in government funding for the Willesborough Dykes scheme.
It links the Park Farm housing estate with the Designer Outlet via a path that runs alongside the railway line and over the A2070 to Sheepfold Lane.
The lights are the responsibility of Highways England rather than Kent County Council, and spokesman Stuart Miller said the agency is aware of the problem.
But he said the traffic lights are the subject of a section 278 agreement with housing developer Berkeley Homes while building work continues in the area.
He added: “We have chased Berkeley Homes and told them that they need to get the repairs done.”
Berkeley Homes were contacted for a comment on the story, but had not replied as the Express went to print.
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