Calls for traffic-calming measures in Ranelagh Road, Deal, after …
Worried residents say traffic-calming measures are needed in their small but busy street as speeding drivers have become a “menace”. Ranelagh Road in Deal[1] is only 123 metres long but is a major one-way route which takes traffic to the seafront.
A car ended up on its roof in Ranelagh Road after an accident in the summer. Picture: Sylvie Bates
Two crashes within six weeks in the summer sparked fresh calls for traffic-calming measures to slow down drivers after one car ended up on its roof. Now, Kent County Council is set to carry out a speed survey after more than 100 people signed a petition calling for action on the 30mph stretch.
Debbie Christie says she heard an almighty bang which “sounded like a bomb had gone off” when the car rolled over earlier this year.
The 63-year-old explained: “The speed they must have been going to overturn like that must have been immense. “I don’t think speed bumps would be practical because of the parked cars but there needs to be something.
Cars park on the side of Ranelagh Road
Lorries struggle to turn out of Ranelagh Road and onto Prince of Wales Terrace. Picture: Maggie Dunn
“If there was a camera midway up, it would be more likely to slow people down because they come zooming around the corner and it is an accident waiting to happen. “I think it is only a matter of time before someone gets killed.”
Earlier this year, Ranelagh Road resident Maggie Dunn started a petition with the hope of getting traffic redirected away from their one-way street.
It was signed by more than 100 people, but Kent County Council (KCC) says officers have not received it. The 78-year-old explained: “There was a consultation at least a decade ago where the highways department suggested traffic coming into Deal should go straight along Victoria Road and then turn up South Street towards the seafront as it is wider.
Resident Maggie Dunn has started a petition to reroute traffic
Residents are calling for traffic-calming measures in Ranelagh Road
“Ranelagh Road, Clanwilliam Road and Sondes Road would be for residents only. “They had a consultation and there was a meeting at the town hall.
“I went along to talk to them about how much of a terrific idea it was but they said I was the only person who had been in to support it.
“The petition this year was to say to Kent Highways, you came with this plan some years ago, you obviously thought it was a good idea before, we would like you to revisit it as the road has become busier in this time. “KCC said there was no evidence safety is compromised on our road.
Ranelagh Road is a small but well-used stretch in Deal
Ranelagh Road narrows towards the junction with the Prince of Wales Terrace
“That’s true in the sense there haven’t been any fatalities, but it’s not true that there haven’t been near-misses.
“Ranelagh Road is a menace because environmentally people who live on the road can’t ever open their windows because of the noise and the traffic fumes.” In response, a KCC spokesman said: “While we have not received a petition, we are aware of concerns raised about Ranelagh Road at a Deal Town Council meeting in November.
“Officers have arranged for a speed survey to be carried out in the new year and we will revert back to the town council for discussion once we have the results.” John Suddaby, who lives in nearby Blenheim Road, says roads in Deal as a whole need to be modernised to cope with the sheer volume of traffic.
Deal resident John Suddaby says more traffic-calming measures and pedestrian crossings are needed around the town
The 77-year-old said: “No one wants over control of traffic but on the other hand, Deal hasn’t made the right changes for the times. “Deal has become much busier and cars have got faster, there is almost next to no traffic control.
“Ranelagh Road is an obvious place where drivers come quite fast around the corner and it is inevitable there are going to be more accidents at some point because it is quite a blind corner.” Eighty-five-year-old Peter Broughton, who lives in The Queens at the top of Ranelagh Road, says the issue has worsened in the 16 years he has lived there. “The lorries are bigger than they used to be and we have had accidents twice this year,” he explained.
“Motorcyclists come up here at 6pm and treat it like a dirt track and try to make as much noise as possible.
The road is only 123 metres long but is a major route which takes traffic to the seafront
“There was a scheme to reroute the traffic years ago but it wasn’t made known to us otherwise we would have supported it. “I don’t know what the solution would be, but I can imagine speed bumps will be no good with the lorries that come down here.” Deal Town Council transport and infrastructure committee clerk Laura Marney said: “We have been contacted by concerned residents in Ranelagh Road and have met with KCC.
“KCC has confirmed to us this week that it will put a traffic survey in at the beginning of 2024.
“We’ll be writing to the residents who contacted us to advise them that a traffic survey is being installed.”