News

Rural roads throughout the county could have a reduced speed limit imposed on them if a study by Kent County Council (KCC) indicates that the current limits are dangerous.

KCC will be piloting the study in an area south of Maidstone to look at traffic speeds on A and B roads. In-depth studies will be carried out into crash levels and speed profiles which will be used to check whether current speed limits are appropriate and to assess if particular limits need to be changed.

Officers will also look at whether additional traffic management measures may be required with proposals being put forward for funding next year.

This follows a Government requirement to review speed limits on A and B class roads.

KCC Lead Member for Highways and Chairman of the Highways Advisory Board Roger Manning said: "There is no doubt that speed is a major factor in death and serious injury on our rural roads, particularly where there are no pavements.

"The challenge now is to control speed by making motorists aware of hidden dangers such as pedestrians and horses.

"The proposed review will take time and people should not run away with the idea that we are going to change speed limits wholesale overnight.

"This is a massive project and before doing anything we need to gather information over the next year. We will then use the information gained to decide what measures are needed.

"We will be consulting with parish councils and local residents. Their views are an important part of the assessment process. The experience gained from this pilot will help us to develop a comprehensive programme for all A and B roads countywide."

"In the meantime, I would ask all drivers to show more caution and consider what it must be like for a mother pushing a pram along a narrow country lane with no pavement or verge when faced with an oncoming car."