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Mum appeals for driveways along busy and 'dangerous' Dymchurch Road, Hythe

A mum who fears for her children's safety every time they get in and out of the car has launched a campaign for a driveway at her Hythe home.

Lauren Martin, 35, lives along Princes Terrace which is off A road Dymchurch Road.

Mum of three Mrs Martin has launched a petition to add driveways to these homes along Dymchurch Road in Hythe
Mum of three Mrs Martin has launched a petition to add driveways to these homes along Dymchurch Road in Hythe

With no off street parking she has no choice but to park on the busy road, which has a 40mph speed limit and links Hythe with Romney Marsh.

But Mrs Martin says several parked cars have been hit by moving traffic in the past, sparking fears a child could be next.

One of the mum-of-three's own cars was smashed into, and ended up being pushed 3m along the road.

Mrs Martin also says that drivers leaving the Pennypot Industrial Estate can not see past the line of parked cars when turning out of it.

She has now launched a petition calling for the front gardens in Princes Terrace to be transformed and driveways installed.

Damage has been caused to several parked cars
Damage has been caused to several parked cars

It would involve removing the grass verge and adding a dropped kerb.

But before they can be altered, permission must be sought from Kent County Council.

She has launched the petition to make the council aware of the problems residents and drivers face.

Mrs Martin, a hospital worker, explains: "I live along a busy main road just off the turning to an industrial estate.

"I have lived here for 12 years and it's gone from four cars parking outside to now 15 to 18.

"There are constant accidents along this road and people who attend the industrial estate fear for their lives every time they have to exit that turning.

"By taking the cars off the road this will clear this problem and also give residents a safe place to park to keep our own children safe away from the road.

Lauren Martin has already contacted Kent County Council about the 'dangerous' road
Lauren Martin has already contacted Kent County Council about the 'dangerous' road

"Having three children I fear for their lives every time we have to get in and out the car.

"I just want this made safe for my children and my neighbours."

Mrs Martin has contacted Kent County Council (KCC) regarding her concerns; the authority mange the grass verge, trees and barriers outside her home.

A spokesman for KCC said there is "a fairly lengthy criteria" for dropped kerbs to be installed.

This includes having enough room to park your vehicle completely on your property, being more than 10m away from a road junction or 15m on major roads and busy junctions, having to avoid removing tree roots and being at least 1.5m from streetlights or other street furniture.

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Mrs Martin adds: "There are no reasons why we can't have driveways.

"I definitely have room in front of my house - I have a seven seater car and there is room to park two of them.

"Half a mile up the road the houses there have driveways too. We will pay for the driveways ourselves, but wanted to start the petition to raise awareness."

To sign the petition, visit here.

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