Council gets its way over 30mph limit

Relieved councillors think lives will be saved in Pluckley after the speed limit was cut to 30mph across the village.

Parish council bosses have been working on plans to lower the limit on seven roads in the village for two years. Kent Highways wouldn’t fund it, so the parish council has stumped up the £22,000 needed.

Parish council chairman Martin Newman said: “Kent County Council wasn’t initially keen to change it, but when we said we could stump up the money, they have been very co-operative.

“It is important for the village as all of the 40mph areas meet the national guidelines for a 30mph limit. It could save lives and it is something that has been raised by villagers many times.”

Highways officials have now started replacing 40mph signs and repainting road markings.

The roads affected are Egerton Road, Charing Road, Swan Lane, The Street, Station Road, Smarden Road and Smarden Bell Road.

The parish council’s vice chairman Tim O’Connor, who led the project, said villagers welcomed it, adding: “There have been a number of minor accidents, with cars running into hedges and lampposts.

“Some of the places in Pluckley are acci- dents waiting to happen and we are trying to avoid a serious accident occurring.

“The roads are very narrow in places and as Kent Highways is stretched for cash, we have raised the money locally.

“We recognise people won’t do dead on 30mph all of the time, but the signs should reduce the speed.”

Highways officials will be forced to partially close the roads affected from next Monday to Friday, October 13, and diversions will be in place.

For more information on the closures, visit www.pluckley.net

What do you think? Write to Kentish Express, Unit 4, Park Mall shopping centre, Ashford, TN24 8RY or email kentishexpress@thekmgroup.co.uk

Parish council chairman Cllr Martin Newman and one of the new speed limit signs