A student is calling for stricter speed limits on a stretch of road after she and her boyfriend were injured in a car crash.

Isobel Roach was involved in a two-car collision in Four Elms Hill, Hoo, in September.

She was driving at the speed limit, 40mph, when the traffic lights turned amber and she braked.

The car behind collided with the back of her’s and she was pushed forward into a crash barrier and narrowly missed hitting a school girl.
Miss Roach said: “That stretch of road is 40mph and the lights change so quickly.

“You don’t really get the chance to brake in time.

“I don’t blame the lady behind me at all, I think the speed limit needs to be reduced.

“Both my car and the car involved were written off and I am still receiving medical attention. I was in the car with my boyfriend but he was more injured than me.”

Both Miss Roach and her boyfriend, Jack Laing, were taken to Medway Maritime Hospital for treatment.

The 20-year-old said: “You see lots of near misses there.

“It’s the only road in and out of Hoo and with all the housing development plans, it will bring more traffic and accidents.

“I understand that we need new housing developments but I think something needs to be done about the speed limit before we build.

“I cannot express my demand for the speed limit to be lowered to 30mph on Four Elms Hill enough.”

Miss Roach was inspired to speak about her experience after new political party, Medway People’s Voice, held a protest about lack of infrastructure in Hoo.

Miss Roach contacted the protest organisers and convinced them to add reducing the speed limit on Four Elms Hill to their list of demands.

The protest, which was held on Sunday, January 13, also called for more roads, GP services and school places.

Miss Roach, who studies at the University of Kent, said: “Due to the lack of infrastructure, if there is an accident it causes huge tailbacks.

“They can last over an hour in the morning rush-hour.
“Once there was a crash and it took me two hours to get from Hoo to the University of Kent at Medway campus.”

Medway Council confirmed reducing the speed limit was not something it was planning to do at the moment but would consider it if it received a formal complaint.