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Concerned councillors are calling for measures to be taken to improve a “dangerous” pedestrian crossing which has been at the centre of a safety row for years.
Forbes Road zebra crossing has been branded “not fit for purpose” by members of Faversham Town Council after a person on foot was hit by a car and hospitalised in December.
In another incident in 2014, 76-year-old Stanley Taylor was knocked down and died from his injuries three weeks later in hospital.
Following her husband’s tragic death, Mr Taylor’s widow Doreen spent four hours every day for two weeks collecting signatures around the town and gathered more than 1,200 names in a bid to improve the notorious crossing.
She was determined to have a pelican crossing set up to stop anyone else dying.
But her proposal was scuppered when Kent County Council said it would not be possible due to “significant technical difficulties”.
She felt compelled to give up her campaign, and with the crossing remaining unimproved, the council is now urging KCC to finally take action after the most recent incident.
Cllr Ben Martin (Lib Dem) says people should be able to use the crossing without fearing for their safety.
“I receive at least one email or phone call each week regarding near misses on the crossing,” the Watling ward representative told Faversham News.
“The crossing is widely used by parents and school students of both Ethelbert Road Primary School and the Abbey School, as well as by commuters, residents, those accessing the train station, and parents with pushchairs heading to the nursery at the school.
“My fear is that if improvements aren’t made, there will be another collision that results in death or serious injury.”
Last year, Cllr Martin and Cllr Eddie Thomas (Lib Dem) secured resurfacing and repainting of the crossing.
“But that is not enough,” Cllr Martin added. “I’d like to see changes to both the crossing and trimming of the hedge to clear the footway space on the Athelstan Road side of the crossing.”
Cllr Martin met with Ryan Shiel, the Mid Kent programme manager for KCC, last Friday to talk through potential improvements.
“We discussed longer term improvements, including the use of virtual speed cushions and artificially narrowing the road with optical illusions, in addition to potential changes to the junction including converting the Athelstan Road junction from a give way to a stop junction,” Cllr Martin said.
“But these improvements will be dependent on funding.”
Cllr Martin hopes that any future improvements would also encourage people to walk and cycle.
He said: “If we are to improve the health and well being of the people of Faversham, and tackle the climate crisis, we must have better road safety across the whole town that encourages people to walk and cycle - without fear of injury.”
What do you think? Email favershamnews@thekmgroup.co.uk
