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Residents on Lonsdale Drive in Rainham pleading for some silent nights

Work is set to begin on a section of notorious road which has become so loud residents have to turn the sound on their TVs up.

Such is the noise from Lonsdale Drive, Rainham, people say vehicles sound more like passing trains.

The unstable surface is causing vibrations through people’s homes and a consistent “b-dum, b-dum, b-dum” noise.

Residents have had enough of the noisy roads outside their homes
Residents have had enough of the noisy roads outside their homes

However, after years of complaints, it has been revealed highways work is planned on part of the road.

Resident Michael Wren, 70, has been campaigning to improve the surface and get speed-calming measures installed since 2003.

The former builder says large cracks have appeared in the tarmac.

He said: “The two main issues are the adverse noise and the speed of the traffic.

“We’ve seen some people go at up to 60mph. It’s a residential road. It’s a complete headache.

Traffic going past sounds like a train.
Traffic going past sounds like a train.

“The road is in concrete panels in sections and the joints are failing.

“There’s water getting in between the joints and washing the sub soil away so the panels are rocking.

“We can hear vehicles coming from 100 yards away going b-dum, b-dum, b-dum.”

There are 345 houses in the road which is just under a mile long.

A recent petition set up by neighbour Rod Kenninson had 100 signatures.

Grandfather Mr Wren has written several letters to the police and council about fixing the road and introducing speed calming measures.

A mini roundabout was installed near his house, which he says has only made the situation worse as people speed up after using it.

Large cracks have appeared in the road.
Large cracks have appeared in the road.

Speaking Tuesday, MP Rehman Chishti, who has been involved in the campaign, said he’d spoken to the council and ward councillors about the matter and he revealed work is set to start on a stretch of the road on Monday.

Medway Council spokesman Jade Edwards said: “Works are due to be carried out outside the gentleman’s house as quickly as we can and we will also be reviewing reported concerns further up the road.

“We would like to reassure residents that the carriageway is structurally safe.”

However, Mr Wren is cynical and wants to see work done to the whole road.

He said: “We haven’t been told about this. Are they going to turn up and start digging up the road outside my house?

“They said the same thing when they put the roundabout in.

“I don’t want them to come here doing bits and pieces.

“I would like them to meet us here and tell us otherwise they’re wasting money.”

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