More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
Frustrated residents have hit out after requests to repair a ruined road fell on deaf ears.
Ashford campaigners say Jemmett Road is in such a poor state that cyclists and mobility scooter users could be hurt and cars and bikes are at risk of being damaged.
Jill Williams says the road, popular with users of Victoria Park, desperately needs fixing.
"It is in a deplorable state, it really is, especially for such a busy road," she said.
"I go there every day to take my dog for a walk and it has only got worse and worse recently.
"The new-build properties have just been finished and there will be more traffic down here and it's already putting people and vehicles at risk as it is.
"Cyclists and people with mobility scooters are travelling on the pavement and quite frankly I don't blame them.
"I think if you were to strap a camera or phone to the front of your car it would be in bits by the time you got down the road!"
The 71-year-old says that after numerous complaints from various residents, she decided to take matters into her own hands.
"We've spoken to so many people including Kent County Council about it, but nothing has been done," she explained.
"I asked Chartways, who built the new buildings and had heavy lorries going up and down here, but they said it wasn't their problem.
"So I've gone round with a petition to prove to the council how big an issue it is.
So far, more than 300 people have signed Ms Williams' petition that demands Jemmett Road is resurfaced.
Another Victoria Park regular, who asked to remain nameless, said the road surface needed attention before the new houses were built.
"I mistakenly thought the council would have made it a condition of the planning consent that the builder should resurface the road once the heavy lorries had finished needing access to the building site, but this is not the case," she said.
"The surface is now in a far worse state than it was prior to the start of the building. This has resulted in cyclists using the footpaths instead of the road and cars driving on the wrong side to avoid the holes and cracks.
"Both the road and the footpaths are dangerous places for the partially sighted, people with other disabilities and families with children as well as dog walkers.
"I thoroughly support Jill’s effort to put pressure on the council to give the resurfacing of this road a priority."
Kent County Council says it will check the route to see if anything needs to be done.
A KCC spokesman said: "Our roads are inspected every six months for defects and faults.
“Officers are aware of the concerns raised about Jemmett Road, Ashford, and we will be carrying out an inspection to identify any necessary safety repairs.”
Do you know of any roads in worse condition? Email news@thekmgroup.co.uk or leave details in the comments below.
