Poor signage for road-widening ‘causing chaos’

The road-widening project on the A2070 Kennington Road in Ashford is on schedule, according to road chiefs.

However, residents who live along the road say there are still issues with the signage for the construction as many motorists are ignoring the road closure signs.

John Bailey, the chairman of Willesborough Parking Action Group, said: “The widening work may be going to plan but the traffic management and signage is appalling.

“Hundreds of vehicles a day drive past the three ‘road ahead closed’ [signs] and find themselves confronted by a closed road!

“During a 30-minute period on Saturday, I saw eight foreign- registered cars do U-turns in the Silver Hill Road junction along with fifteen UK-registered vehicles.

“Twenty-five vehicles went all the way to the widening works before turning back, ten cars and vans turned into Blackwall Lane South trying to find a way out, two even turned into Wilson Close trying to get to Canterbury before heading back to Junction 10.”

He added: “Worst of all was seeing five cars illegally drive into the one-way section of Silver Hill Road trying to get out of this mess.

“During the week you can add a large number of HGVs trying to get to the factories. The poor signage is causing chaos and nothing is being done.”

Jamie Watson, schemes programme manager for Kent County Council, said: “The project is going as well as can be expected although it is causing additional delays and traffic.

“It’s going to plan although there have been some signage problems.”

It is hoped that the project, which is also causing heavy traffic pressures in the town centre, will be completed by early September.