Kentish Express Ashford & District
Speed limit cut after deaths
A notorious stretch of road dubbed a “death trap” has had its speed limit lowered following two recent fatalities.
The A28 Ashford Road formerly had a 50mph restriction on the approach to Chartham but highways bosses have now slashed the limit by 10mph.
As of last Monday morning (February 24), the new reduction is being enforced along a 824-metre stretch passing the Mansfield fruit farm junction.
Kent Highways agreed to introduce the safety measures after pedestrians Christopher Innes, 21, and Andrew Morrell, 74, were killed in separate incidents within just eight months of each other.
The 40mph limit, which ends at Chartham cemetery, links up with a current restriction in place at the lead-up to the Shalmsford Street junction.
Chartham parish councillor Carol Manning is happy with the decision.
“We’re very pleased - it’s taken a long time to get it but we have got it at last,” she said.
“It’s a pity it’s not 40mph along the whole stretch but it’s been lowered on the most dangerous part. It may be a bit confusing for some motorists as through Chartham it now goes 50, 40, 50, 40 - but it needed to be lowered.
“There’s been two deaths there so it’s clearly not a good bit of road. It’s taken a lot of campaigning.”
Commenting on Twitter, Jo Treharne said: “The road is an absolute death trap, people drive too fast, tailgate and overtake when it’s not safe.”
In November 2018, county council leader Paul Carter dismissed calls for a lower speed limit, but the authority - which is responsible for highways eventually rethought its stance.
Speaking last year, Brian Innes - the father of student, Christopher, who was killed on the road - called for action. “The road is too fast,” he said. “This was a tragedy waiting to happen, where my son was put in a vulnerable position.”
Christopher died when he was hit by a car after getting off a bus at an unmarked stop opposite the Mansfield junction.