A NOTORIOUS accident 'black-spot’ in Kent is to be improved as part of a £227,000 road scheme.

Kent County Council has announced that work will begin next month to improve Jenkins Hill on the Isle of Sheppey, including the whole of the Lower Road from Cowstead Corner to Leysdown.

It will also include the lowering of the speed limit from 60mph to 50mph in the section from the prison estate roundabout in Rowetts Way to Bay View.

The news has been welcomed by parish councils in eastern Sheppey, which have campaigned for safety changes for years and even commissioned their own report on Jenkins Hill in Eastchurch.

Warden Bay Parish Council chairman Pat Sandle, who also represents the Sheppey 1st! party on the borough council, said: “At last Kent County Council is doing something positive about the road and maybe there will be fewer accidents as a result.

“It will cause temporary problems to the eastern end of the Island while the work is being carried out, but it will hopefully be worth it in the long run.”

Lower Road has seen 20 fatalities in as many years as well as many other serious and minor accidents.

The scheme includes improved warning signs and marker posts, better lighting, road markings and road studs as well as resurfacing.

Drainage and pathways will also be looked at and traffic calming 'gateways’ will be introduced.

A Kent Highway Services spokesman said: “It is anticipated that the majority of these works will be carried out using temporary traffic signals. However, where the width of the road is such that it will not allow us to use traffic signals safely, the road will need to be closed to all through traffic. An alternative signed route will be provided.”

The whole project is expected to take about five weeks to complete and will take place in three stages involving some diversions and night closures of the road.

For more information on the planned works or to comment on the arrangements, please call Kent Highway Services on 0845 247800.