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Councillors are calling for improved safety measures at a dangerous junction after a cyclist was left with life-changing injuries.
On Saturday, January 23, a man was knocked off his bike at the exit from Osprey Court onto Peregrine Drive in Sittingbourne.
It has been the location of a “number of near misses” according to Roman ward councillor Ken Rowles, who says elderly people on mobility scooters from nearby Mill Court care home have nearly been hit on multiple occasions.
Cllr Rowles and his fellow Labour councillor Tim Gibson say the problem is caused by cars parking on the road and obstructing views on what is already a “blind exit”.
The pair have been calling on Kent County Council’s traffic officers to take action.
Cllr Rowles said: “Cllr Gibson and I became councillors in May 2019 and have had numerous complaints about the yellow lines and cars parked at the Peregrine Drive exit from Osprey Court car parking area.
“As cars exit they can’t see traffic coming from South Avenue into Peregrine Drive with the hill and blind bend.
“We have had many near misses with elderly people in buggies, and last month a cyclist was hit.
“We’ve been asking Kent County Council’s traffic management for some sort of signage and a mirror which has been turned down.”
Cllr Rowles, who lives in Osprey Court, added: “It’s been an ongoing situation for and I’ve had about four near misses in my time.
“Every time it’s brought up with the county council at a meeting we’re just told an accident hasn’t happened there yet, so it’s not an important issue. But it will be too late if there’s an accident.
“There’s quite a lot of traffic during the day, especially when schools were open and parents are parked on the road.
“I will continue to fight for action at coming transport meetings until we get help.
“There’s two solutions, which are adding in a mirror opposite the exit or put road markings down in Peregrine Drive so people know there is an elderly home nearby and oncoming traffic.”
A police spokesman said: “Kent Police was called at around midday on Saturday, January 23 to a report of a collision involving a cyclist and a motorist in Peregrine Drive.
“The male cyclist was taken to a local hospital to be treated for injuries described as life changing. No arrests were made.”
