‘Our speed camera was removed without explanation – we want it back’
Hundreds of residents are demanding the return of a speed camera on a “dangerous” road bend near several schools.
Serious accidents have been recorded in the past along a busy stretch of Loose Road, Maidstone[1] with some motorists treating it “like a racetrack”, according to neighbours.
Cllr Dinesh Khadka wants to see the speed camera returned to Loose Road
Now a petition signed by 123 people has been presented to Maidstone council’s joint transportation board by ward councillor Dinesh Khadka (Lib Dem).
It calls for the re-instatement of the speed camera on the northbound carriageway, just before its junction with Sheals Crescent and the start of the one-way system.
The location is near several schools and parents and children often try to cross the A229 at this point to reach South Borough Primary School in one direction, while older pupils cross in the other direction on their way to Maidstone Grammar School.
Cllr Khadka explained there had been a camera there, but five years ago, when other cameras in the town were updated to digital models, it had been switched off without explanation.
For three years it remained as a deterrent even though it was no longer working.
The old analogue speed camera along Loose Road, Maidstone was never replaced
But then two years ago the camera was removed completely without explanation.
Cllr Khadka said: “There was no consultation with residents or ward councillors.
“The camera was put there for a reason.”
He added that protests made then to KCC, the highways authority, had been answered with the promise that further studies on traffic flows[2] would be undertaken, but that since then, nothing had happened.
Cllr Khadka read from the original report from KCC back in 2007, setting out the reasons why the camera was being installed in the first place along the road which has a 30mph limit.
They included a need to slow vehicles from approaching the sharp bend at speed, the concerns raised by residents, and the fact that in the previous five years, there had been four crashes resulting in serious injuries and another three resulting in slight injuries at that location.
Marion and Kevin Norris are among those calling for the return of the speed camera along Loose Road, Maidstone
Kevin and Marion Norris, who have lived on Loose Road for 64 years, have both signed the petition.
Mrs Norris told KentOnline: “Some drivers treat it like a racetrack.
“I have to cross the traffic to park on my drive and I can sit for ages waiting for a safe gap.
“As well as all the kids using the road, there are now a lot people going to and from the Tesco and Co-op stores farther up the road.
“It is dangerous and at the moment there is no sanction at all for those driving too fast.”
Mr Norris said: “All the neighbours we’ve spoken to are concerned about the situation. It’s on all our minds.”
Another resident from the opposite side of Loose Road, said: “It’s a downhill slope so cars tend to gain speed anyway without putting their foot on the accelerator.
“Some end up doing 50mph!
I think a camera would be a considerable deterrent
The man, who has lived on Loose Road for 29 years but did not want to be named, said: “There are a lot of children around here, trying to cross.
“The road has definitely become more dangerous with time. There was one accident in April just outside my house!”
“I think a camera would be a considerable deterrent.”
The issue had already been discussed at a meeting of Maidstone council’s joint transportation board back in August 2022.
At the time, before recent charges to the Loose Road/Armstrong Road junction, KCC highways officer Alex Beech said it was hoped the reduction of the Maidstone-bound carriageway of Loose Road from two lanes to one lane would help control speeds.
Sir Paul Carter wants to know why the camera was ever removed
The residents who signed the petition say this hasn’t happened.
The board members voted unanimously to refer the petition to KCC to ask for a report on the issue, with former KCC leader Sir Paul Carter (Con), explaining that he wanted answers as to why the camera had been removed in the first place.
A KCC spokesperson said: “We are aware of the petition submitted through the Maidstone joint transportation board calling for the reinstatement of safety cameras.
“Petitions submitted to KCC are processed in accordance with the petition scheme, which is published on our website.”
References
- ^ Maidstone (www.kentonline.co.uk)
- ^ with the promise that further studies on traffic flows (www.kentonline.co.uk)