RESIDENTS have been left furious by a council’s “mad” one-way traffic system.
Locals of the Wincheap suburb of Canterbury, Kent face almost a year of disruption from January 2023 under the plans.
The system is designed to ease congestion on the A28 caused by a new 400-home development on a nearby farm.
However, locals have branded the scheme “mad” and “a nightmare”.
Brian Robinson, 72, the owner of Bits ‘n’ Pieces furniture shop, said he may have to shut as a direct consequence of the new plans.
Dad-of-three Brian is originally from Manchester but has now lived in the Wincheap for 32 years.
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He said: “I know a lot of people and a lot of people know me, and they are all up in arms about the proposals.
“Residents feel like these plans have been dumped in their lap and they are so angry.”
Fellow resident Deborah Phillips, 57, agreed, saying: “What worries me about this is that it won’t help the flow of traffic, it will make things worse.
“The diverted traffic will have to go down one road and it will add to the congestion at the roundabout at the bottom of the road and make the problem worse.
“It will make the congestion worse. The ultimate irony is the congestion isn’t so bad after Covid.”
Meanwhile, Retired 72-year-old barrister Steve said he feels sorry for locals who will be impacted by the roadworks.
He said: “I feel sorry for the people who live in this area who are obviously very worried.
“I don’t drive so it won’t affect me personally, but I can understand why people are concerned.
“I often go into town and sometimes I get a taxi home… With this new route I think the cost of the ride could double.”
Redrow, the developer building the new homes, will be footing the bill for the new traffic system.
Steve said that they have already paid for it and so the scheme is a “done deal” and residents can’t do anything to stop it.
The developers reportedly held a meeting with locals on Tuesday night, which Brian Robinson says was a stormy affair.
Brian said: “At the meeting last night at Thanington Resource Centre everyone was very angry, upset and annoyed.
“Kent County Council has decided it’s all going to work really well… But it will not.”
Glenn Holliday, Head of Technical for Redrow, said: “We are progressing a series of road upgrade works as part of our planning consent with Canterbury City Council for the new homes at Cockering Farm.
“The works are due to commence in January 2023 to construct a new relief road and upgrades to Simmonds Road, Cow Lane and Hollow Lane. These upgrades have been planned to ease congestion for residents in Canterbury, improve journey times, road safety and quality of life in the area.
“We are committed to keeping inconvenience to a minimum for local residents and businesses, and are working closely with Walker Construction and Kent County Council to ensure the works are carried out as quickly as possible.”
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Kent County Council declined to comment.
Canterbury City Council have been contacted for comment.
