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Wouldham objects!
That is the slogan of a new residents action committee formed at a public meeting last night.
Around 85 people packed Wouldham Village Hall to discuss the traffic problems they have all been experiencing since the creation of the Peters Bridge over the River Medway to service the new 1,000-home Peters Village community nearby.
The creation of the bridge, and more specifically the opening up of Hall Road, which was previously a no-through-road, in October 2016, has resulted in a vast increase in traffic through Wouldham's narrow High Street, because the river crossing is used not just by local residents, but by traffic rat-running to avoid crossing the River Medway on the M20 or at Rochester Bridge.
But it is not just the extra noise and pollution from the growing number of vehicles that is worrying residents, that fear for their safety as the through traffic frequently exceeds the 20mph speed limit.
High Street resident Kym Mckeller said: "In parts, there is no pavement and householders walk directly out of their gardens onto the carriageway.
"Children walk down this road to get to school and there are elderly residents who cant easily jump out of the way."
A number of residents parked vehicles have been struck, properties have been damaged, and pets run over. So far, no serious human injuries have occurred but the feeling of the meeting was that it was only a matter of time.
Mrs Mckeller said: "It's not unusual to see cars and even buses mount the pavement to get round an obstruction, and many drivers go far too fast."
Villager Sarah Beautridge described the situation as "dire."
Wouldham Parish Council has been pressing KCC for action.
The highways authority has suggested putting yellow lines along the length of the High Street, but Mrs Mckeller said: "That's the last thing we want. If the road were free from the obstruction by parked cars, drivers would just go even faster."
In an emotional debate, it was clear that many residents felt the best solution would be to have Hall Road closed to through traffic once again. Failing that, speed cameras and speed bumps should be considered.
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