Petition started to improve junction safety on A28 Canterbury Road in Westgate-on-Sea after fatal accident
A petition calling for changes to a "dangerous" junction has been launched just weeks after a fatal accident on a pedestrian crossing. Michael Grantham, who has lived in Westgate-on-Sea for almost two decades, wants more safety measures on the A28 where it meets Minster Road and St Mildred's Road in the town.
While primarily hoping to address issues that have long been a concern along the stretch, his petition follows the death of 71-year-old Julia Thomas, who died while crossing the A28 via the light-controlled crossing on January 25. An inquest was told the retired teacher was in a group of five people, including two children, when she and another woman were struck by a Ford Fiesta.
Ms Thomas, a retired teacher from Evesham in Worcestershire, died at the scene from neck and chest injuries, while the other woman was seriously injured. An inquest into her death opened last week and was told a green light was showing for motorists in the moments leading up to the tragedy, with no suggestion the driver was at fault. But Mr Grantham says the incident has "focused his attention" on the junction and any improvements that could potentially be made to slow vehicles down on the approach and to make it easier for pedestrians to cross.
The 73-year-old told KentOnline: "We don't know the details of what happened. It seems quite likely that it simply was a horrible accident.
"It did focus my attention on [the long-running issues] as I've been waiting for a serious accident down here. "There are a few individuals that will go through here at a ridiculous speed, and I mean ridiculous.
"I've seen them going so fast you barely register the camera flash as they go past. So we're talking 70mph - probably even faster for the bikes." The stretch of the A28 Canterbury Road already has a speed camera close to the junction, but Mr Grantham says this is not enough.
He explained: "You watch the cars and they will slow down for the speed camera and then speed up again. "With average-speed ones, you can't do that. You've got to obey the limit all the way through.
"I want to see those on both sides and red light cameras to stop any jumpers." Mr Grantham says he would also like to see lights for pedestrians heading across both the St Mildred's Road and Minster Road ends of the junction as an additional safety measure.
The retired construction consultant added: "School children have to cross those two roads and pretty much dodge the traffic. It's not easy."
Floral tributes have been left at the scene of the tragic collision. No arrests have been made by police but an investigation is ongoing, a force spokesman confirmed.
The petition, titled Install Average Speed and Red Light Cameras on Canterbury Road[1], has gathered more than 400 signatures. It will be debated by Kent County Council (KCC) if it reaches 750.
A spokeswoman for the council said: "We were sorry to hear about the incident on the A28 Canterbury Road; our thoughts are with those affected.
"KCC is reviewing the detailed report from Kent Police following the crash at the Canterbury Road/Minster Road junction. "Once the petition is submitted, KCC will undertake a detailed review of what is being requested in the petition. "Petitions submitted to KCC are processed in accordance with the Petition Scheme, which is published on our website."
A date for the full inquest hearing into Ms Thomas' death has not yet been confirmed.
References
- ^ Install Average Speed and Red Light Cameras on Canterbury Road (www.change.org)