A carer’s two-year mission to make a road safe after an elderly lady was killed, has finally been realised.

Pakize Guvenc lost her close friend, 88-year-old Sifa Rifat, in 2016, when she was hit by a car in London Road, Northfleet, as she walked to the bus stop opposite her home in the housing block Cleveland House.

Driver Damian Demczuk, 27, was jailed for two years in 2016 after admitting causing Mrs Rifat’s death by careless driving. Demczuk was unfit to drive because of drug use and was not insured.

The 43-year-old admitted she considered Ms Rifat as a grandmother, because of their bond and friendship, and would often refer to her as 'nan'.

Her death was the final straw in a long worry about the safety of the road.

Miss Guvenc launched a petition in 2016, which amassed more than 1,500 names, to make changes in the area.

It was presented at a Gravesham Joint Transportation Board (JTB) meeting by Northfleet North councillor Peter Scollard (Lab), before being taken to Kent County Council (KCC), last year.

Thanks to Miss Guvenc’s actions, a pedestrian crossing was introduced last November and the speed limit of the road was dropped from 40mph to 30mph in August.

The former kitchen assistant thought the changes were bitter-sweet.

She said: “I’m so happy and I couldn’t have done it by myself.

“All the community has helped to make changes, which I’m happy about, we worked together rather than on our own.

“I had known her all my life and now she’s gone forever. I’m still upset about it all, but I’m happy that I have done something for my community and that the people on that road can be safe.

“I’ll never have a hug or chance to say goodbye to her, but I’m happy that some changes have happened.

“One resident told me she couldn’t go out when Sifa died, because she was so scared. But now maybe people can cross the road safely.”

Despite the long two-year fight for change, Miss Guvenc never thought about giving up, even when she was told she should.

“I’ll never have a hug or chance to say goodbye to her, but I’m happy that some changes have happened..." - Pakize Guvenc

The mum-of-one added: “I was told I was wasting my time by someone I worked with and I told them: ‘you’ll see.’

“People told me to give up, but it never crossed my mind.

“I started walking around the streets and asking people for their signatures.”

Miss Guvenc is going to continue her journey for change in the borough, with her eyes set on cleaning up the streets.

She said: “Gravesend is packed with litter and rubbish, so I’m going to bring it up to the right people, and start to clean the streets and make them better for the next generation.”

County councillor for Northfleet & Gravesend West, Dr Lauren Sullivan, has been campaigning with Cllr Scollard to make the road safer.

She said: “I wasn’t happy with Kent County Council leaving it at the crossing.

“It took about a year to convince them to reduce it to a 30mph road.

“Rosherville Primary School was right on the corner of the road, so it didn’t make sense at all.

“I took it to Gravesham council to ask for their support and they unanimously agreed.

“I’ve seen cars going down the road at 90 miles per hour – it’s awful.

“I was really, really pleased when it was changed. It’s a lot safer now.”

Back in 2016, Cllr Scollard had vowed to take action.

He told the Messenger after the accident: “We won’t rest until this road is fixed. There is absolutely no need for there to be a 40mph stretch here and that’s the first thing which needs to change.

“It’s shocking, and dangerous. I don’t know anywhere else in the country where there’s such a high limit outside two schools and a nursery.

“Most places drop the speed limit to 20.

“We also have a lot of vulnerable, elderly and disabled people living along the road.

“There are more than 50 in Cleveland House alone.”

Miss Guvenc was extremely grateful for all the help she received from the community and in particular Cllr Scollard, as she reflected on her achievements.

She said: “I’m really thankful for all the help I’ve received throughout the years.

“It wasn’t a one person effort, we worked as a community and made this happen.

“I’m very grateful for all of Peter Scollard’s help, taking it to the council meetings and helping us get signatures.”