Bough Beech Road has become busier in the last year or so with more and faster traffic.

A speed limit of 60 mph on this stretch is not only excessive but gravely hazardous. Many residents have reported near misses as motorists leaving their property.

It is narrow, with no pedestrian pavement. There are hedges high up on either side reducing light at sunrise and sunset. Meanwhile other more open, wider roads with fewer side roads and driveways have lower speed limits. 

Why does this matter? Living in this community, we witness daily the potential dangers residents, pedestrians, cyclists, horse riders and drivers face due to fast and reckless driving by some motorists. This road is shared by families, children and others for access as well as recreation such as exercise. 

Moreover, there are several concealed entrances along this stretch of road which many motorists are unaware of; speed, vehicles and people edging out  into the road from their drives are not a happy mix. The current speed limit fosters an environment ripe for accidents, making it unsafe for everyone.

There is also a small retail outlet along this stretch of road which many use for  shopping, a cafe and a gym.

Statistics corroborate this concern. Recent reports indicate that rural roads, like the one we call home, account for 57% of all fatalities on British roads despite carrying only 43% of the traffic. Lowering the speed limit to 30 mph, in line with the safer standard set in similar rural areas, will significantly reduce the likelihood of accidents and enhance the safety for all who travel down our village road.

Additionally, a recent headline in The Times (8/12/25) highlighted the ignorance that many town dwellers using rural roads have about the dangers of driving out of town  - "Lax Londoners pose deadly risk on rural roads". A survey of 2,000 motorists found that 38 per cent of those from the capital had been in a crash on a country road, compared with 23 per cent of the general population. Londoners, who come out to Kent a lot of course, were also more likely than motorists from any other region - at 75 percent, compared with the average of 69 per cent to say they had felt prepared to drive on rural roads immediately after getting their driving licence. NFU Mutual carried out the survey and called on the government to tackle the death toll on country roads which is higher than that of urban areas. In 2024, 956 people were killed on country roads, 72 per cent more than the 555 on urban roads.

A recent speed trap revealed that 5% of cars drove at over the speed limit on this stretch of road, which was regarded by Hever Parish Council and a representative of the police as acceptable. We argue that the speed limit per se is too high and should be reduced. We are aware, of course, that some will still ignore any limit but a general reduction in speed and an awareness of the dangers this busy road presents must be to everyone's benefit. 

The risks of maintaining the current speed limit are well documented. The likelihood of fatal pedestrian collisions is dramatically higher at 60 mph compared to 30 mph. Data from the Department for Transport show that the chance of survival for pedestrians is greatly increased when speeds are reduced.

Therefore, I urge the Kent County Council  to amend the speed limit from 60 mph to 30 mph from the crossroads at Four Elms south as far as the junction with How Green Lane. This change is not just a number, it can be the difference between life and death and would be done at minimal cost; simply moving speed signs about half a mile up the road with reminders perhaps halfway along the stretch and, ideally, signs indicating that there are concealed entrances ahead.

Support from fellow residents and anyone who cares about the safety of our roads can propel this much-needed change. Together, we can transform our shared space into one that prioritises safety and community well-being.

Sign this petition to help make Four Elms and its surroundings a safer place for us all.