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Faversham's lorry hell: Residents in Churchill Way vent their frustration

Lorries have written off cars, bent lampposts and damaged signs after following their sat navs into the narrow streets of a quiet estate.

HGVs heading for the factories along the Western Link in Faversham are regularly turning right too early and heading down Bysing Wood Road and often into the dead-end residential areas of Churchill Way and Giraud Drive, where they try impossible U-turns.

Residents in Churchill Way have voiced their frustration after yet another car was written off.

Lorries have been writing off cars, bending lampposts and damaging signs.
Lorries have been writing off cars, bending lampposts and damaging signs.

Mark Smith said: “We are fed up with the continual flow of 40-tonne articulated units in Churchill Way, at all times of day and night, trying to deliver to Mansfields and East Kent Storage, whose entrances are on the Western Link.

“We have contacted the depots and the council but despite request for signs to dissuade lorries from entering the estate, our simple requests have been refused.

"Another car was written off this week and we all feel that enough is enough.

"The drivers seem to have no care for our environment, driving over grassed areas, kerbs and pavements and when you try to help them, it is made more difficult that they often can’t speak English.

“Something needs to be done to stop these lorries entering the Bysing Wood Road.”

Residents in Churchill Way are frustrated with lorries turning into their narrow road.
Residents in Churchill Way are frustrated with lorries turning into their narrow road.

Mr Smith and others living in Churchill Way have seen the drivers’ sat nav and say they are being directed into Bysing Wood Road.

Their concerns come just a few months since Cllr Peter Flower (Con) suggested that lorries should be banned completely from driving into Bysing Wood Road, as when they go further through they end up getting stuck in West Street too.

David Shirley, whose car written off by a lorry on Friday, said: “The windows and passenger door are all gone.

“The insurance company have only offered me £300 because it’s an old car but it’s going to cost a lot more to buy a new car.

One of the many lorries to get stuck in Churchill Way.
One of the many lorries to get stuck in Churchill Way.

“I’ve been without a car since Friday and have had to rely on my daughter to get to hospital appointments.

“I know the driver made a mistake but it’s an expensive mistake.”

Adam Irvine, director of Transpak Direct, which organises the lorries to and from the factory, met residents on Tuesday to discuss concerns and has already written to Kent County Council (KCC) requesting a new sign – but it was refused.

Mr Irvine said: “We are trying to find a solution to this problem. We have double checked the postcode and it is the right postcode but the road into the factory is very close to the Bysing Wood Road so we can see how the drivers might misread it.

Lorries have been writing off cars, bending lampposts and damaging signs.
Lorries have been writing off cars, bending lampposts and damaging signs.

“We have sent out some new maps and directions and we have written to KCC about the possibility of a new sign on the Western Link.

“But they will not authorise signs unless there are 50 unplanned visits a day or personal injury.

“We hope that the residents will also write to KCC and we hope that we will be able to find a solution.”

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