Mum of teen killed in crash in Dumpton Park Drive, Broadstairs, says Kent County Council’s response to safety concerns ‘not enough’
Published: 05:00, 11 September 2024
Updated: 12:06, 11 September 2024
The grieving mum of a teenager killed in a crash argues a council’s plan to “continue to monitor” the stretch of road is insufficient.
Ethan Entwistle died two days shy of his 19th birthday when the Seat Ibiza he was a passenger in collided with a tree on Dumpton Park Drive near Broadstairs last October.
His devastated mum launched a petition for traffic-calming measures on the 30mph stretch, attracting almost 2,000 signatures.
But a report prepared for Thursday’s Joint Transportation Board meeting by Kent County Council (KCC) reveals no further action will be taken.
“It is recommended KCC’s Road Safety and Active Travel team continue to monitor and assess collisions in Dumpton Park Drive,” it states.
Ethan’s mum Keena Entwistle has criticised the outcome of the report.
“It is not enough,” the 47-year-old said.
“In the last couple of months, there was a driver who took out three parked cars and another was speeding and crashed into another car.
“People along the road seem to be reporting accidents more to the police but previously they were dealing with them themselves.
“We know people are speeding and driving dangerously along there, but we need residents to keep reporting it.”
Mrs Entwistle says Holy Trinity School, Deer Park Care Centre and Bradstow School have written to KCC asking for traffic-calming measures.
She would like a radar speed sign – which alerts drivers to their vehicle’s speed – as she believes most people are visual learners.
“The schools and the care home want 20mph areas and crossings,” she added.
“I think anything and everything that can save a life is good. I go down quite often to Ethan’s tree [in Dumpton Park Drive] and my aunt lives along the road.
“There are always cars going along there fast and overtaking others. Drivers don’t have care or consideration.”
KCC says police have not highlighted any concerns regarding the road layout and their investigations regarding the collision are ongoing.
It also says a new ‘bend warning’ sign accompanied by a ‘slow’ road marking and black and white verge marker bollards with red and white reflectors were installed after the fatal crash. Speed surveys were carried out in September last year in Dumpton Park Drive, Ramsgate in two locations – one near Holiday Trinity Church of England School and one near the junction of Wickham Avenue,” the report states.
“The recorded average speeds were 30mph and 32.5mph. The results of these surveys have been passed onto Kent Police for their information and enforcement action.”
There was another fatal crash in Dumpton Park Drive two years ago.
Cyclist Jacqueline McFarling, 54, died after a crash with a car at the junction with Montefiore Avenue on January 14, 2022.
A KCC spokesperson said: “Any death on Kent’s roads is tragic and we send our deepest condolences to Ethan’s family.
“As with all fatal and serious crashes, Kent Police undertake a robust investigation to ascertain any causation factors in such incidents.
“The findings are subsequently made known to KCC, which upon advice from the police and the coroner, where necessary, will subsequently undertake any work to help prevent a similar type of incident from occurring again.
“As stated in the report, KCC has implemented some measures since the incident, however, the police investigation is still ongoing.
“One death on our roads is too many and we will work with Kent Police and other partners to ensure any issues raised are resolved.”
A person was arrested following the crash in which Ethan lost his life. They remain on bail.
More by this author
Brad Harper