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Crashed lorry blocks A251 Faversham Road near Challock -
A251 Ashford Road near the M2 blocked after serious crash in Faversham October 2014 -
A251 closed 25 days July 2020 -
A251 closed 2 car crash July 2019 -
A251 March 2019 -
A251 - Challock March 2020 -
Crash between motorbike and two cars closes A251 June 2022 -
Three injured in crash on A251 April 2021
Why this group?
The current variable speed limit allows vehicles to travel at speeds that are simply too dangerous for a rural narrow road with multiple blind entry access points. Furthermore, HGVs using this route add an additional layer of risk due to their size and weight, regularly crossing the central line and posing a danger to oncoming traffic.
This campaign is not just about making our roads safer; it's about protecting our community and the environment, and preventing further unnecessary accidents.
Our request to Kent County Council
- A blanket reduction in the speed limit on the A251 to 40mph between Faversham and Challock.
- A ban on HGVs using the A251 between Faversham and Challock as a through route.
How you can help?
Facts
There have been multiple fatal and serious injuries on the A251. In February 2024 a fatal crash took place between a lorry and a transit van [Police appeal].
In March 2024 a serious crash took place on the A251 between a lorry and a car, resulting in two people being seriously injured, one airlifted to hospital [Read news report]
There are multiple places on the A251 where two lorries are unable to pass one another due to the narrowness of the road.
“An A road will generally be among the widest, most direct roads in an area, and will be of the greatest significance to through traffic.” [Department of Transport Statutory Guidance 2012]
The speed limit on the A251 between Faversham and Challock regularly changes between 30mph, 40mph and 50mph. New guidance from the Department of Transport (issued March 2024) “provides a framework for speed limits… to help ensure appropriate and consistent speed limits, which contribute to reducing the number of road deaths and casualties… improving the safety on rural roads, and reducing variations in safety from area to area and road to road.” [Department of Transport March 2024]
There are multiple concealed driveways and roads along the A251 on stretches of road with a 50mph limit. “On average, in frontal impacts, belted drivers have a 17% risk of being fatally injured in impacts at 40 mph and a 60% risk at 50 mph… When cars are hit from the side, drivers are at a much greater risk: in a collision at 40 mph, the risk of a belted driver being killed is 85%.” [The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents 2021]