Claims that a traffic calming scheme has made a village road more dangerous have struck a chord with readers.

Dozens of people have contacted the Kent Messenger following our story about traffic calming in Coxheath.

Last week we reported how hundreds of residents were unhappy about build outs introduced in the village to slow vehicles down.

Resident Tony Monk claimed the calming in Heath Road was making drivers more frustrated and actually encouraged them to speed.

He warned several months ago that the scheme would result in a serious accident - which happened last weekend when three people needed hospital treatment following a collision near the junction with Park Way.

Cick on the SpeakOut below to have your say. Here are some of the responses we've already received:

My opinion of the bollards is that they are extremely dangerous; they have caused traffic buildup in Parkway in the rush hour. The chicanes need taking down. A system like they have in Mote Avenue would have been better; their chicanes slow the traffic but still allow both sides of traffic to drive freely. Even more worrying is that it won’t be long before a child is killed. Half the village children walk to New Line Learning Cornwallis along the Heath Road. They are put in danger by the reckless driving of impatient drivers because of the chicanes.

Clare Lewin, Parkway, Coxheath

I wrote on a few occasions to the Highways Department regarding the chicanes in Spot Lane, Bearsted, and the opposite effect they have on traffic. I told them that this system was a waste of time and effort as on more occasions than not it provided a simulated race track for the less intelligent drivers. Nearly every day you can meet one of these people coming the other way and forcing their way through. If you point this out you get nothing but abuse.

Ian Blake, by email

This new scheme is not only dangerous but a complete waste of money. I have lived in Coxheath for 32 years and in all that time I have never heard of any traffic accidents till these chicanes appeared.

John Humphrey, Coxheath

On a daily basis we hear of tragedies on the road caused by bad driving. To counteract this the powers that be apply speed restrictions, road humps, chicanes, etc, wasting thousands of pounds. These restrictions cause many problems for the motorists. We do not need all theses restrictions, we have good cars and a good road surfaces. What we don’t have is good drivers.

M North, Highcroft Green Maidstone