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Calls for road improvements outside Fulston Manor School, Sittingbourne, due to safety fears

A Swale councillor is warning a child could be seriously injured after seeing how fast drivers go outside a Sittingbourne school.

Cllr Sylvia Bennett (Con) has joined forces with the head of religious studies at Fulston Manor, Chris Seppala, to lobby Kent County Council for what they say are much needed road improvements.

There are already speed bumps outside the school, but because they do not stretch across the entire road, it is said car drivers can avoid them. Mr Seppala said: “The speed bumps outside the school do not improve the safety of road users – especially our school students. They make it worse.

Religious teacher Chris Seppala and Cllr Sylvia Bennett
Religious teacher Chris Seppala and Cllr Sylvia Bennett

“This is because drivers are having to look out for children, look out for vehicles, look out for parked cars, and negotiate the speed bumps all at the same time.

“They should be replaced with speed bumps that go across the entire road, which is how it is outside Sittingbourne Community College at the other end of the road.”

After being contacted by the school, Cllr Bennett, who covers the St Michael’s ward, has attempted to persuade KCC’s highways department to spend cash on changes to the street.

She said: “I would like a speed hump across the road but [KCC] is saying because it’s a bus route it would make it difficult.

The pair fear a child could be seriously injured after seeing how fast drivers go outside Fulston Manor School
The pair fear a child could be seriously injured after seeing how fast drivers go outside Fulston Manor School

“Apart from this, I would like a speed camera but KCC have said there’s no accident record for that road so the money they’ve got for it is limited.

“Does someone have to be killed before they do something?

“I’ve been up there lots of times and I’ve seen so many near misses – it’s so dangerous.”

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