More than £100,000 spent on accident repairs to Hawkenbury Bridge in five years, as calls for reduced speed limit continue
Fed-up villagers say it's "appalling" that more than GBP100,000 has been spent on bridge repairs for damage they believe is entirely preventable through a reduced speed limit or traffic calming measures. Publican Jonathan Woodbridge, who runs The Hawkenbury between Staplehurst and Heacorn, has lost GBP5,000 a week in trade since the nearby bridge closed for repair work on November 5 - and it is still shut.[1] Now, a KentOnline Freedom of Information request has revealed that Kent County Council (KCC) has spent GBP100,200.83 on repairs to the bridge as a result of numerous accidents in the past five years.
The findings show that 94% of these repairs have cost GBP93,883.23, with only 6% (GBP6,317.60) of the total covered by a driver responsible for causing the damage. Only on one occasion was a driver identified but in all other instances, no driver was ever traced and therefore, no claim against anyone was made. It is the tenth bridge closure in the past five years, with the latest occurring in the run-up to Christmas, which publican Jonathan says has been "disastrous" for trade.
In the summer, The Hawkenbury pub faced a further blow to business when a truck smashed into the front of the building, wiping out a row of picnic benches.[2]
The incident prompted fresh calls for a reduced speed limit on Hawkenbury Road, over concerns someone could have been killed.[3] Instead of closing the bridge each time an accident occurs, Jonathan thinks something needs to be done to stop them from happening in the first place, such as the introduction of priority passing - where only one vehicle can pass at a time - or traffic lights at the bridge.
A Kent County Council spokesperson said traffic signals had been explored as an option but "due to physical constraints" smaller-scale options have not been feasible. However, they said the authority would continue to review this location with elected officials.
Jonathan, 68, said: "My own view is that if, in fact, they did bring in a speed limit, these costs would disappear to virtually nothing.
Picture: Editorial Graphics
Picture: Editorial Graphics
"I don't think it's a good use of taxpayer money because I think it is totally avoidable." Furthermore, he explained the actual true cost to everybody else in the community and his business far exceeds that GBP100,000 figure for bridge repairs, given the level of disruption prompted by the diversion. He added: "The cost of traffic lights and/or speed restriction, particularly in that area could save a lot of money, if not in year one, but in year two and year three.
"And if they can't do any of that, maybe they could have some alternative traffic calming as you approach the bridge so that only one vehicle can get through at a time. "All the damage is caused by people, in our opinion, driving too fast."
In addition, he said most incidents which caused substantial damage at the bridge had been attended by police, paramedics and a recovery company, who should have a process to identify the driver responsible.
"I think 6% is an appalling recovery rate," Jonathan added. In the past five years, the bridge has suffered repeated damage to posts, rails, as well as the brick parapet and tubular rails.
The most recent closure this month (November) cost GBP45,426.24, and the driver responsible was not identified. India Philip, who started a petition asking KCC to act before someone is seriously injured or killed, said the council carried out a speed survey back in September but is still waiting for the full report and for "clear answers" from the speed-limit review.
She said: "We keep seeing preventable accidents and repeated damage simply because the speed limit does not reflect the reality of the road.
"Taxpayers are footing the bill for issues that could be avoided if the council acted on what we have been saying for years. "Instead of spending money on repairing the consequences of high speeds, they should invest in the solutions residents are asking for: a lower speed limit, proper speed-limit signs, mirrors for the bridge, and basic calming measures."
The petition has more than 420 signatures. You can sign here[4]. Maidstone mayor Cllr Martin Round, who is a council member for Headcorn and Sutton Valence, which includes Hawkenbury, believes some form of speeding control, particularly a solar-powered traffic light system, would be the best solution.
He voiced concerns over the speed people travel down the road and said the bridge is essentially "blind", which makes it hard to see oncoming traffic.
He suggested highway authorities should prioritise finding a solution to prevent future accidents. A spokesperson for Kent County Council said: "Repairs to Hawkenbury Bridge have been essential to maintain public safety. Where drivers have been identified as responsible for damage, we have pursued recovery of costs.
These details are provided by Kent Police, and we continue to work closely with them to recover costs wherever possible." They explained that Headcorn and Staplehurst parishes have recently highlighted the bridge as a priority in their Highway Improvement Plans (HIP), and said the site has been "looked at historically". The spokesperson added: "We have explored a number of options including traffic signals, but due to physical constraints, smaller scale options have not been feasible.
However, we will continue to review this location with elected officials."
References
- ^ since the nearby bridge closed for repair work on November 5 - and it is still shut. (www.kentonline.co.uk)
- ^ The Hawkenbury pub faced a further blow to business when a truck smashed into the front of the building, wiping out a row of picnic benches. (kentonline.co.uk)
- ^ prompted fresh calls for a reduced speed limit on Hawkenbury Road, over concerns someone could have been killed. (kentonline.co.uk)
- ^ here (www.change.org)