A busy section of A-road could soon see its speed limit reduced from 40mph to 30mph in a bid to curb cars hurtling into side streets at “too high a speed”.
The proposal would see speeds cut on the A229 from the Loose Viaduct to the Linton Crossroads, and then also beyond heading south through Linton village.
The scheme was presented to Maidstone council on Wednesday (October 16) by Cllr Brian Clark (Lib Dem) after he held discussions with both Loose and Linton parish councils who wanted to see the reduction.
He had conducted his own survey – along with fellow ward member Cllr Simon Wales (Lib Dem) – of residents along the affected corridor, inviting their views on the proposal.
Of 122 responses, 115 had been in favour (94%), with only six opposed, and one neutral.
Cllr Clark said: “While there are suitable points to park along the corridor, residents point to the fact that legally they have to leave their lights on when parking overnight on this 40mph section, but this would not be required if it became a 30mph limit.
“The presence of parked cars might then actually help to bring the average speed down.”
Cllr Clark also pointed out an odd discrepancy existed, adding: “Because there are no 30mph signs on entry to the side roads and cul-de-sacs off the A229 in this corridor, the speed limit on these roads is also 40mph and residents have experienced vehicles continuing into these residential roads at too high a speed.”
“With the crossroads functioning beyond capacity and the general level of congestion towards Maidstone on the A229, the 40mph limit allows vehicles to speed up only to slow down shortly after, whereas a lower speed limit throughout could smooth out these peaks and troughs.
A 30mph on the north/south direction on the A229, would also marry up with a new 30mph restriction already agreed to extend on the west/east arms of the Linton Crossroads, from Coxheath along Heath Road to the crossroads and then over to run past Cornwallis School.
Cllr Clark’s proposal was supported by both Loose and Linton Parish Councils, by Loose Primary School and by the Loose Amenities Association.
And it also received the unanimous backing of his colleagues on the transportation board.
Highway officers will now be asked to bring forward a detailed plan.
Cllr Clark suggested that if Kent County Council found that the costs of installing new 30mph road signs were a problem, then both Loose and Linton Parish Councils had Community Infrastructure Levy funds available and would be willing to pay for the necessary upright repeater signs and roundel road markings.
Recently, the county council announced it would be installing a new pedestrian crossing on the A229 Loose Road.
It will go between Walnut Tree Lane and Copper Tree Court, just outside Loose Primary School.
