Traffic light installation sought at crash-prone bridge in Hawkenbury
Councillors push for safety measures as accidents mount
There are renewed calls to install traffic lights on a hazardous humped-back bridge in Hawkenbury, located between Headcorn and Staplehurst, due to a rising number of accidents.
County councillors argue that warning signs will not be effective, claiming the single lane crossing has become an accident black spot, and they fear fatalities might occur.
Restore Britain county councillor Brian Black urged Kent County Council (KCC) to install traffic lights on either side of the bridge, suggesting that compiling a list of recent crashes would support the argument.
He described the ongoing repairs as frustrating, adding:
“It is incredibly frustrating because it is constantly happening. We need a long-term strategy to stop this happening over and over again. Fortunately, no one has lost their life but I think there is every chance of that happening. We need to put in traffic lights but we’ve essentially been told that is not an option.”
The landlord of the Hawkenbury pub, Jonathan Woodbridge, reported that speeding, particularly from the Headcorn end, exacerbates the problem.
He stated:
“I think it’s fair to say that I’m pretty fed up. I think there is another closure planned quite soon for a significant period of time and that will hit us too. Speed is the main problem that has to be addressed.”
Woodbridge noted that repairs on the bridge impact his business, with takings dropping over 15% with closures affecting trade.
Conservative county councillor Claudine Russell emphasized:
“Putting up signs for motorists to ignore is simply a pointless waste of time and money – they’re just not going to cut it.”
In a statement, KCC acknowledged the concerns, listing safety measures such as refreshed road markings and new warning signs among their proposals, aiming to maintain two-way traffic across the grade two listed structure while addressing highway safety.