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More on KentOnline
Problems with a notorious junction may finally be resolved as plans for its redesign are tabled - with highways bosses saying work could be delivered in the next 18 months.
The historic bottleneck at the A2, the A251 Ashford Road, and The Mall is set for a major overhaul in a bid to alleviate ongoing traffic woes for Faversham.
Four detailed plans for the site have been drawn up, which are envisaged to cope with the increasing population and hundreds of new homes.
But one of the options, an elongated roundabout, was slammed on social media with Tim Stonor referring to it as "Scalextric traffic engineering".
Kent County Council, which previously scrapped smaller scale proposals for the junction, has now revealed which scheme it favours.
The authority’s highways team is recommending a traffic light system at the A2/A251 junction, with each approach stretching to two lanes 50 metres before the lights.
Pedestrians would have a staggered crossing on the A2 at the junction and a signal-controlled crossing closer to the Abbey School.
Members sitting on Swale’s joint transportation board were brought up to date with the pros and cons of each plan at a meeting yesterday (Monday 24).
A report compiled by KCC states its favoured option would “alleviate the existing concerns of congestion, safety and provide improved pedestrian amenities and safety”.
Deemed the least costly of the four, officers are recommending to install the traffic light system “as soon as possible”.
The proposal to install an elongated roundabout at the A2/A251 junction with partial signal control has been earmarked as an “aspirational” second option, should it be required in the longer term.
If favoured, it would be the most expensive option at almost £3 million and take the longest to complete.
Two other options tabled would see a smaller roundabout at the junction, with one also providing traffic lights to turn right into The Mall.
Faversham MP Helen Whately has welcomed the step forward but has highlighted the importance of the impact on pedestrians and cyclists.
She said: “There are bad queues at this junction at rush hour and I know improvements have been discussed for several years.
“As well as fixing the traffic jams, any new junction must work for pedestrians and cyclists. With more housing coming south of the A2, making it easy to walk and bike into to town is really important. I’m already working with KCC and 20’s Plenty to get a new pedestrian crossing outside the Abbey School and we need more crossing points on The Mall too.
“Before any decisions are made, the people of Faversham must be properly consulted and the needs of all road users - not just drivers - must be taken into account.”
A decision was not be made at Monday’s meeting.
The final say will come from KCC in the coming months.
