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Call to introduce new signs and road markings on the A28 Chart Road heading towards Tenterden from the Tank roundabout

The Kentish Express is calling on Kent County Council to introduce some inexpensive and simple measures it believes can resolve many of the road rage problems on Ashford's 'Tank' roundabout.

The move follows concern expressed by scores of readers over problems on the A28 exit road from the roundabout, heading towards Tenterden, and disagreement over which lane motorists should use approaching the roundabout from Templer Way.

Traffic merging from two lanes into one just after the Tank roundabout
Traffic merging from two lanes into one just after the Tank roundabout

Immediately after the roundabout the two lanes merge into one and many drivers simply refuse to take it in turns to complete that merger.

They play a cat and mouse game of “will he/she give way or not” as they vie to be first into the single lane ahead, which often ends in confrontation, near misses and the occasional crash.

There are frequent arguments, swearing, finger and hand gestures, shouting and (in extreme cases) road rage incidents.

But we reckon this could be curtailed with a few simple changes, detailed below, that we estimate could be introduced for around £2,000.

(1) Repaint the white lines and arrow directors on the road surface, which are currently so feint they can hardly be seen by drivers.

(2) Install road signs (suggested alternatives below) on either side of the road, just after the Tank roundabout exit heading towards Tenterden, urging/advising drivers to take turns to merge from the two lanes into the single lane.

(3) Erect road signs either side of Templer Way, at its approach to the Tank roundabout, advising drivers they need to get in the correct lane depending where they are heading i.e. left for Chart Road to the town centre and Carlton Road for the Cobbs Wood industrial estate and right for Tenterden and Sir Henry Brackenbury Road and Repton Park. Alternatively, these signs could merely tell drivers to stay in either lane but warn motorists heading towards Tenterden that the two lane road will merge into one after the roundabout.

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