Confusion over roundabouts

With housing developments in Kennington like Great Burton Farm, etc, reference is often made to the ‘roundabout at Conningbrook’.

Well, I’m sorry but there ain’t no roundabout at Conningbrook (even by

The Manor house) on Willesborough Road (or

A2070) and there never has been one. However, there is a roundabout which forms the junction of Canterbury Road (A28) with the A2070 at ‘Spearpoint’.

In my lifetime, the junction at Spearpoint was a crossroads connecting Canterbury Road, Willesborough Road and ‘The Ridge’.

Once upon a time, close to Spearpoint, grew a large tree which was fondly known by locals as ‘The Hanging Tree’; sadly this was removed to enable the construction of the roundabout.

With legal aspects, disputed matters, or in an emergency situation, it is important to identify locations correctly. So, on Canterbury Road (A28), Kennington: North of the M20, there is ‘Cemetery Road’ on one’s left, then on one’s right there is Kinney’s Lane (leading to the Rugby Club and waste-water treatment works). Then comes Bybrook Road with traffic lights and then comes the crossroads of ‘Penlee Point’; this was originally a ‘T’ junction but it has been adapted (with lights installed) to also serve George Williams Way; the Little Burton Farm Estate’s spine road, as well as the longstanding Faversham Road. This was the A251 has been fairly recently changed to the A2042.

There is one good thing about Spearpoint roundabout; it enables large vehicles such as juggernauts or units towing caravans to make a U-turn, which is most useful with factories close by.

Ted Prangnell,

Kennington most at stake in the future. The People’s Vote campaign has organised a London demonstration for Saturday, March 23. It could be the biggest in Britain for years. The last occasion attracted more than 700,000 people, making it the largest political movement in Europe. The government must now listen. During my time as a union rep I negotiated many deals. At the outset the members vote on the contents of the claim, then negotiations with management follow. Before any settlement is agreed the members vote on the final offer. That’s how it should be with Brexit.

Given recent cuts by Honda and Nissan, affecting thousands of jobs, few now believe we will prosper outside the EU. And what about Hitachi? The Japanese firm built the Javelin trains operating on Kent’s high speed line and run an assembly plant in Ashford. Hitachi and the Japanese state saw this as an opportunity to enter the European market, not just the British.

Are they now having second thoughts?

The electorate must be given the chance to express second thoughts or confirm its faith in Theresa May’s deal.

Failing this, the controversy over Brexit will not subside, consuming the energy of government for many years to come.

Patric Cunnane,

Dyke Road, Folkestone