An 82-year-old on a mobility scooter was killed at the crossing in November
Calls have been renewed to improve safety at an “inadequate” pelican crossing after a man in his 80s died after being hit by a car.
County councillor Geoffrey Samme has written to the Reform UK roads cabinet member asking for urgent action to be taken at the spot, where £90k of upgrades had previously been agreed.
On November 21, an 82-year-old on a mobility scooter had been crossing Royal Engineers Way, on the way into Maidstone near the roundabout by the town’s library, when he was hit by a car.
He died in a London hospital the following day.
A man in his 40s was arrested and subsequently released on police bail pending further inquiries.
Cllr Samme, whose division at Kent County Council (KCC) covers the area, is growing increasingly concerned that “promises made to improve the crossing…in 2020 have not been carried out”.
In a letter to Cllr Peter Osborne, the cabinet member for roads and transport, Liberal Democrat Cllr Samme said: “While the cause and circumstances of the death are subject to formal investigation from the appropriate authorities, I am concerned that promises made to improve the crossing on that roundabout in 2020 have not been carried out.”
Cllr Samme, who was elected in May, said predecessor Ian Chittenden received complaints from assisted living complex Thomas Place, near Maidstone library.
He wrote: “The complaints related to concerns that the time allowed for residents to cross the pedestrian crossing in both directions for wheelchair users, old people’s buggies and mothers with pushchairs was inadequate.
“The traffic lights were turning green for motor vehicles before residents had completed the crossing, resulting in a number of near misses.
“This roundabout also has a long record of accidents/incidents with injuries and several occasions when the traffic lights were damaged or demolished.
“Mr Chittenden raised concerns with highways officers, and £90,000 was finally included as s106 planning money, within the adjacent planning application from Redrow Homes on the old Whatman site, for improvements to all crossings next to the roundabout.”
Shortly before the veteran Lib Dem retired, Mr Chittenden discovered improvement works had been delayed.
Research was also underway by the Police and Speed Camera Partnership (PSCP) to reduce the speed limit between the Invicta Barracks roundabout and the Royal Engineers roundabout from 40mph to 30mph.
Cllr Samme added: “Whilst control lines have recently been introduced around the roundabout, a welcome development, the issue of speeding on the approach to the roundabout remains.”
He has asked Cllr Osborne to investigate the delays and arrange for upgrades to be undertaken immediately and to come up with effective action to reduce speed.
In a response to Cllr Samme, Cllr Osborne said designs to renew three signal-controlled pelican crossings as part of a redevelopment in the area were agreed in 2019 but did not take place.
Those designs “resurfaced” before the tragedy and are subject to a refresh using the latest technology and in light of the new roundabout markings.
A KCC statement said: “Our thoughts go out to the family and loved ones who have been affected by this tragic incident.
“As with all fatal and serious crashes, Kent Police will put together a report on the details of the incident and carry out investigations to understand possible causes.
“The report and results of their investigations are then shared with KCC so that we have complete details of the incident. We will subsequently undertake further site investigations to establish if there are any highway safety concerns that need to be addressed.
“We are unable to comment on the circumstances surrounding this incident while we await the Kent Police report.”
