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Fears as homes 'tremor like an earthquake' in 'dangerous' Stone Street in Petham near Canterbury

Safety measures are set to be introduced along a "dangerous" village road where homes "tremor like an earthquake" as lorries whizz by.

Stone Street in Petham, which is a key route into Canterbury, has long had a reputation as an accident blackspot.

Canterbury City Councillor Mike Sole says the speed level reduction is going to make the area safer. Photo: Mike Sole
Canterbury City Councillor Mike Sole says the speed level reduction is going to make the area safer. Photo: Mike Sole

Father-of-two David Patrick, who has lived in the street for 10 years, says the road is hazardous because of its shape and width.

“There have been several accidents on this road. I’ve seen it happen,” said Mr Patrick.

“One time I saw there was a broken down car getting towed away and a car came up behind it and hit the breakdown truck.

“It’s a dangerous strip - there are quite a few families with young children and a lot of invisible driveways.

“It’s deceptive in that it’s straight but it has two hidden dips and it’s not very wide.

“There’s a very narrow footpath, and on several times I have been brushed by a car when I was walking the dog.

Stone Street in Petham near Canterbury has long had a reputation as being a dangerous route
Stone Street in Petham near Canterbury has long had a reputation as being a dangerous route

Another resident says he fears his house could be damaged by the shaking caused by lorries “whizzing by”.

“It’s quite scary,” said the father-of-two.

“It feels like a tremor earthquake and I’m concerned about any potential damage being done to the house.

“Every couple of days there are tremors when a truck really whizzes by and that’s possibly due to the speed and the proximity to the street.”

Now, after 20 years of residents' campaigning, Canterbury City Council has confirmed plans for resurfacing and for the speed limit on a section of the road to be reduced from 50mph to 40mph.

Stone Street in Petham, near Canterbury, where houses 'shake' as lorries whizz by
Stone Street in Petham, near Canterbury, where houses 'shake' as lorries whizz by

“It’s been long time coming, and it will be most welcome by residents,” said Canterbury City Councillor Mike Sole, who has long been pushing for the changes.

“There’s a terrible state of potholes so the fact that it’s being resurfaced is a great improvement.

"And the speed level reduction is definitely going to make this area of road much safer for people.”

The measures are planned for a stretch of road spanning about 350m between Thompson's Garden Centre and Canterbury Reach Lodge Retreat.

An agenda for a joint transportation board meeting on Tuesday says: “Works are planned to take place alongside resurfacing works on Stone Street.

"Expected to take place June / July 2023.”

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