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Ashford: Fears over accident waiting to happen in Silver Hill Road in Willesborough Lees

Anxious neighbours fear someone will be killed if drivers continue to go the wrong way up a road in Ashford.

Chris Staddon, 42, says he spots dozens of motorists ignoring the one-way rule in Silver Hill Road in Willesborough Lees.

He is calling for better policing of the area and even thinks highways authorities should consider making the stretch two-way again.

Mr Staddon fears somebody will be killed. Picture: Barry Goodwin
Mr Staddon fears somebody will be killed. Picture: Barry Goodwin

“It happens an awful lot, mainly in the evenings and over the weekend,” he said.

“Earlier this month, a group of boy racers shot up the road and a bus was coming the other way – there must have been 12 of them going up there.

“The bus had nowhere to go and it is getting ridiculous now – my main concern is that sooner or later someone will be seriously injured or killed.”

No entry signs in the road. Picture: Barry Goodwin
No entry signs in the road. Picture: Barry Goodwin

Mr Staddon lives next to the mini-roundabout in the road and thinks more drivers will break the one-way rule when the Hooden on the Hill reopens.

The Grade II listed pub was badly damaged in a fire in November 2016, but is set to throw open its doors again in March.

Landlords Howard and Victoria Lapish have been determined to reopen the venue, and construction work to restore the historic pub to its former glory began in October.

Mr Staddon lives close to the mini-roundabout. Picture: Barry Goodwin
Mr Staddon lives close to the mini-roundabout. Picture: Barry Goodwin

Mr Staddon, who works for Kennington-based food wholesaler Brakes, added: “When the pub reopens, it will get worse as people shoot up there to get in the car park.

“It would make more sense to review the road and make it two-way again, as that would also alleviate the traffic problems at junction 10.

“A road change or better policing is needed – foreign lorry drivers have even tried to go up the road before.”

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