Early evening at 6pm, a van came off the road at high speed and ploughed into our driveways and fences on Hawkenbury Road, Tonbridge. It could have been so much worse. 

Had I walked into my house just two minutes later, I might not be here writing this. If the pub next door had been open, with people sitting outside on the benches like they often do… this could have been a tragedy. But it wasn’t the drivers fault. It’s the councils. 

Residents have contacted the council many times before, warning about the danger. We’ve been told the speed limit won’t be lowered unless there’s a fatal accident. Is that really what it takes for someone to care.

This road has seen multiple crashes, and still, the speed limit remains at the national speed limit of 60mph — far too fast for a residential road where homes sit directly next to the carriageway.

We’re asking Kent County Council to act before someone is seriously injured or killed. We want:

The speed limit on Hawkenbury Road reduced from 60mph to 30mph (or a suitably safer limit);

A full safety audit of the road and surrounding properties;

Physical traffic calming measures or signage to protect residents.

We’re tired of near-misses, smashed fences, and hearing that change will only come after a tragedy. Please sign this petition to help us demand action. It shouldn’t take a death to make a road safe.