Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Safety measures at scene of crashes
‘I would like to see a reduction in speed limits on the New Dover Road...’
A raft of measures have been unveiled to improve road safety at an accident blackspot. There were calls for a series of changes to be made to New Dover Road in Canterbury following a number of crashes in the past few months.
In one of the recent incidents, Lucy Billingham, 18, died after the Ford Fiesta she was travelling in crashed into the Old Gate Inn pub near the roundabout at the top of the road.
Just two days later, emergency crews were called to yet another collision at the spot, when a car smashed into a lamppost. And later the same month, a Mini Cooper overturned at the roundabout.
Kent County Council has since confirmed improvement works have started in the area. “We have recently carried out an assessment of the highway in this area and have work planned to improve safety,” a spokesman said.
“Officers are working with our contractor to have verge marker posts and reflective studs installed to help highlight the kerb line on the approach to the roundabout on New Dover Road.
“In addition, the streetlight has been reinstated and relocated to the back of the pavement and we have planned replacement signage and cycle route signage along with a chevron marking on the roundabout. “We plan to carry out these works at the same time to try to minimise disruption to road users as much as possible.” The streetlighting work was completed on January 22 - and all other works are awaiting confirmation and availability of the authority’s contractor. In December last year, Labour councillor Mel Dawkins told how she was “very concerned” about road safety in the area. “The lighting could be better,” she said.
“People are coming off the A2 and it goes from being an open road to a built-up area, so it needs to be mitigated more so you feel like you’re coming into an area where you need to slow down.
“The Old Dover Road approach from the city centre is also not very well-lit.”
Cllr Dawkins welcomed the improvements, but called for them to go further.
“I would like more to happen to make it safer up there, especially during school drop-off and pick-up times,” she said. “I would like to see a reduction in speed limits on the New Dover Road from the city up to the roundabout so that drivers are not driving so fast on approach and as they come off the roundabout towards the city.” She says additional road measures are due to be implemented as part of a nearby housing scheme, but added: “It would be so much better to have these schemes and measures put in place now and not to be entirely dependent on the development.” Tragic teen Lucy died as she travelled back to a hotel following an evening out at a city nightclub on December 3. The driver, a 20-year-old man, was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.
He is on bail until the beginning of March.