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Lives being put at risk by speeding motorists

by Andy Gray

Campaigners are considering pooling resources to improve road safety on their estate.

The drastic measure is under discussion among Sonora Fields’ residents who claim they are being plagued by speeding drivers.

Carla White said pedestrians take their life in their hands in Amethyst Drive.

The 34-year-old moved there in December and has since learned to live with the sound of revving engines and the screech of brakes.

She said: "There’s a real concern among people around here that someone could be killed.

"I’ve approached the council about having speed bumps installed, but they said because there had been no fatalities Amethyst Drive wasn’t a priority.

"So we’re looking into the possibility of clubbing together to get the work done ourselves."

The mum-of-one, an MoD language trainer, said she feels in greater danger because her property stands next to the road and overlooks Moonstone Square, a popular green area for her four-year-old son Zack and many youngsters who live on the estate.

She said: "My gran visited at Christmas and a car nearly knocked her over when she stepped outside the front door.

"I don’t know how drivers manage to build-up speeds the way they do because it’s only a small road.

"But a lot of them use it as a shortcut and they need to know many children live around here and play on the square."

Mrs White said residents’ growing anger over the speed issue was fuelled when the estate’s main roundabout was damaged in a crash two weeks ago.

She added: "Feelings are running very high.

"A lot of residents moved here from other areas and we’re trying to build ourselves a community.

"But if the speed problem isn’t sorted, people won’t want to come here anymore."

A spokesman for Kent County Council said courses are available for communities with road-safety concerns.

He said: "We constantly strive to keep road users as safe as possible on Kent’s roads.

"More information about these methods and our Community Speed Watch scheme can be found at www.kent.gov.uk/highways where there are also contact details to report highways issues."

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