A woman who lost her daughter in a car accident is supporting a councillor's calls for more safety measures, after an 88-year-old woman died this week.

The woman, who has still not been named, was walking with the aid of a stick when she was involved in a collision with a car.

Emergency services were called out to London Road, Northfleet, just outside Cleveland House, but she could not be saved.

The road is a constant cause for concern and some years ago a successful petition saw a zebra crossing installed near Lawn Road primary school, over fears for children’s safety.

The man behind that, Peter Scollard now councillor for Northfleet North, says that while it has helped, it has not tackled the root cause of the problem.

Cllr Scollard said: “There are accidents regularly along this road. It goes from a 30mph zone, to a 40 and then back to a 30.

“There’s no need for it, especially with Lawn Road and Rosherville schools on that road as well.
“It’s badly signed and people don’t know what they’re doing.

“Something seriously needs to be done.

“About four or five months ago a lady smashed into railings and tipped her car over, and before that the bus shelter near the Leather Bottle pub had to be removed after somebody else smashed into it.

“We need to make the whole stretch one speed and have cameras in place to police that.”

Few know the dangers of the road more than Shirley Williamson.

The 73-year-old’s daughter Carol Curtis died crossing the stretch some 22 years ago, when she was just 31. She left a son and daughter aged five and three, who Mrs Williamson helped to bring up.

She has lived in the same house along London Road for more than 20 years.

She said: “Carol was just walking across the road, and then for some reason stopped and turned around to walk back the other way, but she was hit. She was thrown 17ft into the air and landed on her head.

“I don’t know what made her turn back, but it’s a clear straight section of road.”

Carol died on an August evening at about 9pm, while it was still light, and Mrs Williamson said with the long summer nights ahead, the problems get worse.

Although there is no suggestion at this stage speed was an issue in Monday’s collision, Mrs Williamson said other drivers did go too fast.

“You get people driving along here so fast. I hear them in the evening and all through the night.

“I don’t think the road itself is a problem.

“It doesn’t need anything on it, it’s just bad drivers and the people who speed who cause a lot of the problems.

“The last two years there have been a few incidents. I heard a big crash one night and had to call the police because there was a head-on collision outside my house.

“I’m always worried they’re going to smash into my wall. People also misjudge the traffic lights near to Pier Road a lot.”

Officers from the serious collision investigation unit are appealing for witnesses, or anyone who saw the victim in the moments before the incident.

Police would also like to hear from the drivers of a grey Citroen Berlingo van or similar model, and a small red Vauxhall car, who may be able to provide important information.

If you can help, call the appeal line on 01622 798538 or email sciu.td@kent.pnn.police.uk quoting reference DB/MW/104-16.