More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
Plans to limit motorists to 20mph on a large number of the Isle of Sheppey’s residential roads have been revealed.
Kent County Council (KCC) has earmarked 45 roads in Queenborough and Halfway where drivers could be restricted.
The authority hopes the proposed scheme will improve safety and, with slower traffic, encourage walking and cycling.
Roger Wilkin, KCC’s director of highways transportation and waste, said there was evidence 20mph schemes led to people using “healthier transport modes”.
Examples included Bristol, where figures showed an increase of more than 20 per cent in walking and cycling.
Mr Wilkin added that the number of casualties recorded on 20mph roads in Kent were 2% less than the national average.
Cllr Cameron Beart, who represents Queenborough and Halfway, said the proposals could make the routes safer, but he sounded a warning about enforcing the new limits.
He said: “The 30mph limit on many of these roads is already ignored and unregulated – especially during rush hour, when many drivers feel it is appropriate to use roads like Holmside Avenue and Southdown Road at speed to jump the queue for the traffic lights at Halfway.”
He added: “This type of scheme can only be successfully imposed on areas where it has the support of the residents. However, so far the response has been overwhelmingly positive – and I consider it to be a good scheme.”
Cllr Beart said he was “bitterly disappointed” with the lack of communication about the proposals from Kent Highways.
“I’m in my third year on the Swale Joint Transportation Board and this scheme has never appeared on an agenda or been considered by the board.”
KCC could not clarify how a 20mph scheme in Queenborough and Halfway would be enforced.
If approved, it would be the first major 20mph scheme for Sheppey – Sheerness High Street is thought to be the only road on the Island to have the limit.
The streets in Queenborough that could have a 20mph speed limit slapped on them are:
And the roads in Halfway that could have a 20mph speed limit are:
To comment on the proposals, email TRO@kent.gov.uk by Monday, July 31.
