A big-money town centre roundabout revamp with new cycle lanes has been branded “downright dangerous” by drivers.
The controversial changes at Radnor Park, next to Folkestone Central railway station and the Park Inn pub, also include the introduction of zebra crossings.
Folkestone and Hythe District Council (FHDC) previously described it as a “significant improvement” to the road system, with better signage and improved links to the town centre for pedestrians and cyclists.
But after months of disruption at the roundabout while works – budgeted at £3 million – were carried out, motorists have branded the finished result “an accident waiting to happen”.
Writing on the Folkestone and Hythe Express Facebook page, Julie Howell said: “It’s ridiculous! Someone drove across me to get into the train station on the wrong side of the road – so I avoid it where best possible!”
Much of the criticism focuses on a raised curb – which has been coned off – separating the new cycle lane from the road outside the station.
Sheila Cinelli said: “We nearly hit the large curb sticking out just past the entrance to the train station.
“We weren’t travelling fast but it was dark and raining hard. It’s very hard to see.”
John Scale Modeller added: “The cycle curb is going to cause a few bumpers on a few cars an issue. I’ve seen two cars mount it coming around the roundabout already.”
Rita Betteridge said:” That silly little kerb bit by the station is downright dangerous.”
And Deborah Jones added: “Zebra crossing is far too close to the roundabout junction (accident waiting to happen).”
Kent County Council (KCC), which has carried out the changes for FHDC, says the traffic cones are in place because the final layout is not yet complete.
Currently, two lanes merge into one in the temporary arrangement, so the cones are needed to guide vehicles safely and highlight the cycle island.
In the final design, there will be a single lane with an additional cycle island on the opposite side of Station Approach. The cycle route is still under construction and will extend further south, with all sections connecting once all phases are complete.
KCC says there have been no reported safety incidents related to the curb since the roundabout opened.
The New Folkestone Society, a group which promotes the enhancement of the town, says it can sympathise with drivers struggling with the new design.
Vice-chair Mark Hourahane told KentOnline: “I can understand if people are having problems adjusting to the fixed layout.
“I don’t drive, but I was with someone else the other day and they were saying ‘Oh, where do I go from here?’”
The new layout forms part of FHDC’s £20 million ‘A Brighter Future’ scheme – paid for through the government’s Levelling Up fund.
The cash has also gone towards the controversial relocation of the town’s bus station from Bouverie Square, which is eventually set to be transformed into a public park.
Mr Hourahane says the project was “poor from the start”.
“I get why people say it’s a waste of money because it doesn’t really do much at the moment – it’s been chaos,” he added.
“Look around Kent at Canterbury, Swale and Dover – they’ve had ideas to regenerate the high streets. What did we get? We got our bus station changed from a square to a linear.”
Others have argued money would have been better spent on reopening the Road of Remembrance, which has been closed for almost two years following landslips.
Kent County Council said last month that it is working on an “options appraisal, which includes assessing the stability of the cliff and identifying potential solutions”. It says this work will “help inform future decisions”.
Despite the backlash to the Radnor Park works, some residents say the benefits of the redesign will become clearer over time.
“Time will tell. While the process is frustrating, the end game is what we should judge,” said Dan File.
“I hope it lives up to the expectations and will be worth the stress it has caused us all when trying to move from A to B.”
The scheme is now more than a third complete, with FHDC confirming work should finish next summer.
But as construction continues, frustration has grown over what residents say is a lacklustre effort to get the town looking Christmassy.
Folkestone Town Council, responsible for the light displays, said it chose not to spend its “limited budget” on festive decorations that may need to be removed because of ongoing works.
“We understand some people are disappointed. Folkestone Town Council made the decision to focus new and existing light installations in the areas around the Christmas Switch-On event,” a spokesperson said.
“This is because the Folkestone ‘A Brighter Future’ project is carrying out work across the town.”
The decision has been met with irritation, with some branding the lights “pathetic” and “an embarrassment”.
On social media, Jacqui Chapman said: “All well and good having a limited display, but if this is the case, please can somebody take responsibility for making sure they are working?
“Almost half are not working. What will visitors think of it and it happens every year, please sort it out.”
FHDC says the overall project aims to “regenerate Folkestone town centre into a safer, more welcoming place” and the roundabout works are an important part of this.
A spokesperson added: “The existing crossing under the railway bridge has been moved closer to Folkestone Central station, creating safer crossing points for pedestrians and cyclists, and two new pedestrian crossings have been created, providing better access to the park and train station.”
Works are scheduled to finish in summer 2026.
