Campaigners at a protest a few weeks ago. Picture by Janetta Sama

by Mary Graham

Plans to increase the speed limit along a stretch of the A20 which has seen 127 crashes in 10 years is madness, say those living nearby.
The Harrietsham and Lenham Parish Residents' Association (HELPERS) has registered its concern about a recommendation to shorten the 40mph stretch through Harrietsham and parts of the Lenham on the A20. The proposal was revealed in the Kent Messenger a few weeks ago.
Instead the group wants to see the current 40mph limit extended and say figures released to them by Kent Police under the Freedom of Information Act back up their concerns.
Police figures show between January 1999 and March 31 2009, 127 collisions happened on the stretch of the road between the Leeds Castle roundabout (B2163) and the roundabout at the bottom of Charing Hill (A252).
Seven were fatal, involving 19 people in the accidents, where at least one died on each occasion. Thirty accidents were classified as severe, involving 57 people, including accidents where people sustained fractures, cuts, or paralysis. And 90 collisions were classified as slight, involving 130 people.
One of those fatal crashes involved pensioner Shirley Leedham, 70, who was knocked down as she crossed the A20 within the 40mph stretch in Harrietsham in October.
Villagers say the report produced for Kent Highways by consultant Jacobs, makes no reference to the times the A20 is used for Operation Stack, when the M20 is closed.
Figures show traffic was redirected along the section of the A20 on 29 occasions in the 10-year period, totalling 37 days.
John Britt, secretary of Helpers, of Lenham Heath Road, said: “The greatest proliferation of these crashes is around and between Harrietsham and Lenham, which is not remarkable as the villages represent the greatest density of population along the A20.
“It is the opinion of Kent Police and other agencies that human error is a factor in 95 per cent of road crashes.
“Offering up a proposal which does nothing to address the obvious risk this road represents is in our opinion a significant missed opportunity.”
Kent Highways’ proposal is now out to consultation and KCC has pledged to consider all written responses.