Residents want speeding to stop on Haine Road
FED-up residents on the old Haine Road have welcomed news that speed bumps could be introduced to curb speeding drivers but want more action.
Since the New Haine Road was built residents say they have endured angry motorists swearing at them and speeding cars clipping off wing mirrors.
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Haine Road residents are often sworn at for parking on the road
Tina and John Howard, who have three children, have lived in the road for 15 years and say they have been promised that the road would be closed to traffic and used as access only.
Mrs Howard said: “The main problem is the speeding day and night. I would say the vast majority of people are doing at least 40mph and that is no longer the speed limit.
“When we park our cars on the road it’s the sheer anger of some of the drivers. You get all sorts of gestures and people roll their windows down and swear.”
On Tuesday, a committee made up of members of Thanet and Kent councils agreed to a public consultation to see whether residents want speed bumps.
When the new link road opened in November, a 7.5-tonne weight limit was imposed on the road and the speed limit reduced to 30mph.
The board acknowledged that the new link road is a longer route for through traffic with two roundabouts.
The report said: “It was inevitable that the old Haine Road would remain an attractive route for traffic and that further traffic management measure might be required.”
Surveys in April and May show the split of traffic is 53 per cent on old Haine Road and 47 per cent on the new link road. The average speed recorded along the old Haine Road is 38mph.
Residents say they want the road closed off and while the report acknowledges previous promises that it would be closed it has been decided that it is not possible.
Ward councillors Mark Nottingham and Liz Green support residents. They have said that when work starts on projects such as the East Kent Opportunities business park and thousands of new homes planned for nearby, serious thought needs to be put into the road layout.
It is expected that £50,000 will be spent on speed bumps by Kent Highways and work should begin in September.
5 Comments
by Haine road driver, Broadstairs
Friday, July 17 2009, 7:23PM
“What a waste of money spending £50k on a couple of speed humps, i use old Haine road everyday to and from work, and i really dont see what the issue is, i hope it wont get closed,”
by Sally Saunders, Old Haine Road
Thursday, July 09 2009, 10:18AM
“There is no price on a saved life. We were told the road was to be closed when the new road was pencil and paper. Haine Road was bliss when closed temporarily to encourage use of the newly built road. The traffic was free flowing and there were no gridlocks at the Toby Carvery. And in the run up to Christmas. People objecting to the £50k to be spent on speed bumps should welcome our proposal for road closure as this would enable that £50k to be spent elsewhere. The residents of Old Haine Road don't really want this as drivers simply straddle them. Close the road. Then our children can safely walk along this road without fear of being run down by speeding drivers. We are shocked at the level of anger at drivers hooting, gesticulating with fingers, and usual abuse that accompanies us pulling onto our drives. Sometimes, ignorant drivers even use our drive as a u-turn when they see a traffic jam ahead.. usually caused by yet another accident. Please use the new road. It could be the last time you ever drive.. I'm sure the Sainsburys worker who crashed her car onto my drive, writing off my car and nearly killing herself, would agree with me.. SLOW DOWN PLEASE.”
by Malcolm Gibson, Haine Rd
Tuesday, July 07 2009, 5:13PM
“If it reduces the speed on the road all well and good.
Having children that cannot leave the house unless in the back of a car is a joke.
People should use a bit of common sense and think about this when they decide not to use the new road.
Thank you to all who do use it.
The speed humps hopefully will deter more users.”
by James, Ramsgate
Monday, July 06 2009, 9:48PM
“The new Haine road should have been more attractive in the first place. Who would want to go around 2 roundabouts in as many miles. Totally absurd. If they built a better new road, people wouldn't be using the old one at all.”
by Road tax payer, Margate
Monday, July 06 2009, 9:11PM
“£50k for a couple of bumps? The council should be spending that and more on improving the road surfaces they have messed up near the QEQM and providing bridges to get rid of the pelican crossings at Westwood that cause huge traffic delays. No one does anything for the road users who pay their way. It's a disgrace the way the councils at district and county level treat the motorist and motorcyclist, but hand everything on a plate to a few cyclists (who don't use the paths that have been built for them and ignore red lights) and a couple of people who whine to a councillor. Come on my journey to and from work every day and see what we have to put up with.”