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Facebook group warns of safety risk over access to new homes in Sheerness

James Bell created this detailed map of the area to show the hazards
James Bell created this detailed map of the area to show the hazards

A Facebook group has been launched by campaigners to warn drivers about a £5m development that they fear could lead to an accident.

Work has already started to build 27 houses and eight flats on land at the back of Seager Road in Sheerness, but that hasn’t stopped angry residents continuing to voice their concerns.

The issue surrounds access to the site, which will be created off Marine Parade, opposite the Isle of Sheppey Sailing Club (IOSSC).

Residents and club members say the main road is a notorious traffic and accident black spot, and a new junction – which they say is too close to the blind bend on Marine Parade – will make it even worse.

Since the plans were given approval, the sailing club has had a disabled parking bay created opposite where the entrance will be.

Campaigners say this, added to the new access to the Isle of Sheppey Academy, will make it very dangerous, with drivers’ and pedestrians’ views obstructed by houses and traffic.

James Bell
James Bell

IOSSC life honorary rear commodore and Marine Parade resident James Bell set up the Facebook group to raise awareness of the development and to highlight the exact location of the new junction and why he and other campaigners believed it was unsuitable.

As well as detailed diagrams to show the dangers, there is a video of a sailing club member being hit by a car while directing someone with a trailer.

The club member was not seriously injured, but Mr Bell said the incident showed how serious the situation would be when there were even more cars trying to pull in and out of the road.

He said: “The majority of Islanders are unaware of this scheme, and in particular the exact site of the new junction.

“As Marine Parade is the main artery between Sheerness and Minster, used by most Islanders, a new junction at this point would have far-reaching effects, potentially affecting very large numbers of people and the flow of traffic along the road.”

Mr Bell said he planned to measure the continued opposition to the scheme, and would present this to Swale council.

He said he also intended to ask councillors how the junction could still go ahead with the new disabled bay in place.

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