Double yellow lines could be painted on Marine Parade on Sheppey as part of Shingle Bank clearance scheme

Double yellow lines could be painted at an accident blackspot, where two people have died in five years, as part of efforts to stop people living at a nearby beauty spot. If the idea is approved, the lines will run on both sides of Marine Parade on Sheppey for almost a mile, between The Ship on Shore pub in Sheerness[1] and The Broadway junction in Minster.

Part of Marine Parade, on Sheppey, where two people have died in five years, is set to have double yellow lines painted on it. Picture: Joe Crossley

Part of Marine Parade, on Sheppey, where two people have died in five years, is set to have double yellow lines painted on it./ppPicture: Joe Crossley

Part of Marine Parade, on Sheppey, where two people have died in five years, is set to have double yellow lines painted on it. Picture: Joe Crossley

Kent County Council is bringing in the no-parking restrictions to stop people who have been moved on from the Shingle Bank beach from simply parking on the road below. It comes after Swale council brought in a GBP15 overnight parking charge and a caravan ban at the waterside stretch - which has uninterrupted views out to sea - on Friday, August 1.[2]

The measures are part of a bid to wrestle back control of the strip after residents complained of intimidation, people dumping human waste into the sea, a lack of spaces for visitors during the day, anti-social behaviour, and littering. A week on[3] from the charges being introduced, the authority said it will consider criminal prosecution against those who continue to live there, with three occupied caravans remaining on the beach. Swale council also said the people "are all positively engaging with our housing service following our initial welfare checks".

There are also plans to paint double yellow lines in Shellness Road, in Leysdown, where the same council measures are in place after concerns about motorhomes staying overnight there too.

There are new charges and a caravan ban on the Shingle Bank beach on Sheppey. Picture: Joe Crossley

There are new charges and a caravan ban on the Shingle Bank beach on Sheppey. Picture: Joe Crossley

There are new charges and a caravan ban on the Shingle Bank beach on Sheppey.

Picture: Joe Crossley

These would be painted on both sides of the road from the existing seasonal double yellow lines near Leysdown Coastal Park, down to the junction adjacent to Muswell Manor Holiday Park.

Meanwhile, the existing seasonal double yellow lines on the north side of the road - from Leysdown Coastal Park to the junction of Park Avenue, and on the south side of the road from Leysdown Coastal Park to Leysdown Village Hall - will also be replaced. The scheme is currently under consultation, which can be viewed by clicking here[4]. Cllr Mike Whiting (Inds), who represents Queenborough and Halfway on Swale council, has backed the scheme, but says it could still see drivers continue to speed on the road, where two people have been killed in five years.

In January last year, a pedestrian in his 20s died[5] after he was hit by a VW Golf near the entrance to Barton's Point.

The scene of the crash in Marine Parade near Barton's Point Coastal Park in November 2024. Picture: iCars

The scene of the crash in Marine Parade near Barton's Point Coastal Park in November 2024. Picture: iCars

The scene of the crash in Marine Parade near Barton's Point Coastal Park in November 2024.

Picture: iCars

A 77-year-old woman died[6] in January 2019 after a head-on collision between an Age UK minibus and a car near the yacht club. Cllr Whiting is campaigning for the speed limit to be reduced from 40mph to 30mph between the Catamaran Yacht Club and Barton's Point Coastal Park to stop the accidents. However, KentOnline revealed earlier this month that KCC had axed[7] this plan, despite it being fully funded and approved nine months ago.

This was after the police advised that its mobile speed van could only enforce the new limit on the full stretch of the road from a purpose-built GBP18,000 layby in one direction, due to a bend in the road.

The council made the U-turn in the face of public support for the scheme, with some calling for a speed camera to be installed along the route[8].

The GBP18k layby in Marine Parade, Sheppey, was paid for by KCC and is used by a police mobile speed camera. Picture: Joe Crossley

The GBP18k layby in Marine Parade, Sheppey, was paid for by KCC and is used by a police mobile speed camera. Picture: Joe Crossley

The GBP18k layby in Marine Parade, Sheppey, was paid for by KCC and is used by a police mobile speed camera.

Picture: Joe Crossley

A petition[9] was launched demanding the measure after crashes in November, and has attracted more than 770 signatures. Now there is some concern what the introduction of double yellow lines will have on the speed of those using the route. Cllr Whiting, a former KCC councillor, said: "When people see double yellow lines, the effect can be for them to drive faster whereas if you have a car parked on the road, it can slow people down.

"However, this was part of the council's consultation and plan to stop people moving from the Shingle Bank and simply parking on the road.

"I am continuing to call on KCC to enforce the speed limit changes."

References

  1. ^ Sheerness (www.kentonline.co.uk)
  2. ^ GBP15 overnight parking charge and a caravan ban at the waterside stretch - which has uninterrupted views out to sea - on Friday, August 1. (www.kentonline.co.uk)
  3. ^ week on (www.kentonline.co.uk)
  4. ^ here (swale.gov.uk)
  5. ^ pedestrian in his 20s died (www.kentonline.co.uk)
  6. ^ 77-year-old woman died (www.kentonline.co.uk)
  7. ^ KCC had axed (www.kentonline.co.uk)
  8. ^ some calling for a speed camera to be installed along the route (www.kentonline.co.uk)
  9. ^ petition (www.change.org)