More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
Three crashes at the same junction in just eight days have sparked calls for a safety review.
Anxious drivers say highways bosses need to take action at the crossroads of Ashford Road, Magpie Hall Road and Steeds Lane in Kingsnorth.
It comes after the junction was blighted by three crashes in little more than a week - including one on Monday, December 2 which shut the road for hours.
A man remains in a serious condition in hospital following the crash, which involved a blue Vauxhall Vivaro van and a grey Ford Focus.
Police have since arrested a 33-year-old man in connection with the incident, which happened next to Ashford Cricket Club.
Just days after the serious accident, three cars collided at the same junction last Friday evening - making it the third incident in just over a week.
Julian Fisher, who is the landlord of the nearby Queen’s Head pub in Ashford Road, said: “There’s been around three of four accidents on this road in a week.
“The residents living across the road feel the same - we have all had enough and we all want the traffic to slow down.
“Does someone have to die before something is done?”
The historic pub is situated further down the road from the junction, but Mr Fisher’s wife and daughter often help direct traffic away from the scene each time an accident happens.
The family even keep hi-vis jackets behind the bar to wear.
Mr Fisher thinks a roundabout or traffic lights at the junction could help prevent crashes.
“I don’t think there is anything unsafe about the road, it’s the speed that people are driving down it,” he said.
“A roundabout or traffic lights is needed on all three of the junctions along this road to slow people down.
“How much is it worth if it’s going to save a life?”
Kent County Council says the accidents are down to “driver behaviour” rather than the safety of the road.
A council spokesman said: “We are extremely concerned to hear about the recent incidents around the crossroads in Kingsnorth.
“The issue seems to be solely down to driver behaviour.
“There are signs informing drivers that a junction is ahead as well as road markings.
“Notwithstanding the above, we will ensure we continue to monitor the situation and see what, if any, measures could be introduced.
“We are fully committed to working towards the best engineering we can put in place to keep drivers and residents safe.”
Data collected by the CrashMap website between 2014 to 2018 shows there has been 12 accidents on the junction in the last five years - two in which have been serious.
But it's not the most dangerous in Kent.
According to the website Ramsgate Road and Margate Road in Thanet, Castle Hill Road in Dover, a large section of Folkestone town centre, and Burham Road joining with Victoria Road and Hythe Street in Dartford.
The A290 between Whitsable and Canterbury is ranked as the only road in Kent with a 'persistently high' accident rate.
