A charity desperate to see safety improvements on the A258 Deal to Sandwich road has described Kent County Council’s response as “disappointing”.

Martha Trust’s chief executive, George White, instigated a review of the road after a fatal accident a few metres from its residential home in Homemead Lane on September 20.

Investigator Alex Hawk of Safety and Management Solutions (SAMS) found a lack of visibility and street lighting, and had concerns about speeding traffic.

His report was sent to KCC shortly afterwards.

In response, KCC said it had looked at the recommendations and visited the site but, due to regulations and policies, it will not be installing mirrors, additional street or sign lighting or reducing the speed limit.

The letter, received on November 18, says: “The speed limit is consistent with the latest Department for Transport guidance on the setting of local speed limits.

“DfT guidance states a 50mph speed limit should be considered for lower quality A and B roads that may have a relatively high number of bends, junctions or accesses.

“A speed limit lower than this, with no evidenced safety issue, is likely to lead to a high level of non-compliance.”

The authority will, however, ask its operations team or the landowner to assess the vegetation to the right of Martha Trust’s junction, which obscures people’s view. It will also ask if a for-sale board can be moved.

Mr White said: “We were very disappointed with the response.

“We are a charity looking after people with profound and multiple learning disabilities and have slow moving buses exiting the premises onto a fast road. We share the exit onto the road with farm traffic.

“It is also disappointing that KCC has conducted a site visit but, as far as I am aware, no one from KCC consulted with any of our staff or the families of our residents.”

Mr White feels his argument is further strengthened after yet another accident on the road, at around 7.30pm on Thursday, December 8, which involved one of his employees.

The female motorcyclist had stopped at the junction to turn into Homemead Lane where she would start her early shift when a car shunted into the car behind her.

That car then pushed into her, knocking her off her bike. She attended hospital for treatment to a wrist injury.

Families of Martha Trust’s residents have seen a copy of the letter. So has Deal and Dover MP Charlie Elphicke.

Mr Elphicke said: “The Martha Trust has raised some genuine safety concerns and they probably know traffic trends on that stretch of road better than anyone. It’s important for KCC to listen carefully to what the trust are saying and work to see if safety can be improved.”

Mr White added: “Having listened to the families of residents and our staff concerns, and having a duty of care for both residents and my staff, I will continue to campaign until measures are taken to make the road safer.”

KCC is yet to comment.