Kennington roads not safe without a car

I read with interest your article about the speed bumps on Ulley Road and the comments from my governor colleague, Ms Krawczyk.

The roads around ‘old’ Kennington are terrible. Whilst minor compared to the A2070 and A28, they are incredibly busy with school traffic, and lorries will cut through when there is a problem on one of the A roads.

I have pushed buggies, cycled, walked and jogged on those streets. They are pockmarked, uneven, visibility is poor and pavements inconsistent. Dangerous potholes are close to kerbs (occasionally badly patched) meaning you can take your life in your hands if you are not in a car.

Road improvements around Kennington would improve the amenity of the people who live there and the safety of visitors. Accepting that very few of the daily cars will go away is the first step to a sustainable solution.

The simplest measures being reducing (and enforcing) speed limits to 20mph, and adding a zebra crossing between the schools. Bolder ones include implementing a one-way system taking in Church Road, the Street, Ulley Road and Upper Vicarage Lane, together with improving the footpaths and upgrading/extending cycle paths across the recreation ground so they don’t become swamps in the slightest rain.

I accept I am now part of the problem, on some days, as I drive my children to/from the school when it is my turn to drop off/ pick up. I would love for my primary-age children to cycle to school but as things stand, it is not safe for them to do so.

I have lived on a road similar to Upper Vicarage Lane, and understand the inconvenience and annoyance of all the car movements on school days (and the bliss of the holidays).

It would be lovely if more people walked on the school run. Unfortunately, we do not live in a 1970s Ladybird book and we have to deal with the life we have. Diane Turner, chair of governors, Downs View Infant School

‘It would be lovely if more people walked on the school run’

The speed bumps in Ulley Road, Kennington