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Traffic island at Eden Village, Sittingbourne, finally gets signage

After years of confusion, motorists are finally being pointed in the right direction around a traffic island.

Visitors and residents of Eden Village were left scratching their heads when they approached the junction which links Crocus Drive, Crossways, Bluebell Drive and Primrose Avenue because it looks like a roundabout.

Sylvia Bennett beside the island which has been confusing people on the Eden Village estate
Sylvia Bennett beside the island which has been confusing people on the Eden Village estate

With no road markings or notices it resulted in some drivers using it as a circular junction and others as a two-way system.

Now signs have been installed to show it should be used as the latter.

They were put in place last month – 10 months after Cllr Sylvia Bennett contacted the News Extra saying the situation was “an accident waiting to happen”.

It seems the problems were caused by it being used as a roundabout when the site was developed five years ago.

But in March 2011 the housing developer submitted a planning application to Swale council to change it to a two-way system with landscaping plus a pedestrian and cycle route on the central island.

The proposal was rejected on safety grounds then overturned by the planning inspectorate in December the same year.

New signage has been put up
New signage has been put up

However, it seems the message never filtered through to those living in the area and many are still unsure of its status.

When asked if she was pleased with the new signs, Cllr Bennett said: “Yes and no. I still think it should be a one-way system, and used as a roundabout. I’ve tried and I’ve tried but Kent County Council say ‘no’.

“There’s been near misses but no real accidents there. I don’t think it’s safe and I’m not happy but at least the signs are up and they help make people be more conscientious.

“I think residents think it’s safer now but 90% still want it as a roundabout because that’s what it looks like.

“They plan to form a residents’ association so I’ve asked them to contact me when it’s up and running so I can speak to them about it. If they’re still not happy then I will take it further.”

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