Safety on the Dartford Road

Yesterday, accompanied by a Kent Highways officer, I met local residents concerned about speed and safety on the Dartford Road, in particular near the junction with Calfstock Lane (in Farningham) and in the area to the north of the junction with Franks Lane (in Horton Kirby). In both places - because of bends in the road - there are concerns about the dangers of turning onto the main road, where visibility is poor and cars can approach at high speeds.

In the longer run, there may be some scope for looking at speed limits, although changing limits can be tricky. It's very desirable to have police support in enforcing speed limits, and the police need to be convinced that the limit bears a realistic relationship to the speeds that drivers are likely to employ - in other words, that it should be to a significant extent 'self-enforcing'. More immediately, however, a lot can and will be be done to improve signage and hence drivers' awareness that they are approaching a turning. This will involve both some new signs on posts and adding to and improving the rather faded 'SLOW' signs in the road. Works should be undertaken once spring approaches and the weather improves.