Although I realise that the new traffic lights were not completely fully functional yesterday because the new road into Mote Park is not yet open, I was lead to believe that when the new lights were switched on they would be programmed to give more traffic flow along
Willington St. This certainly didn’t happen yesterday evening!

Downswood is a small quiet community on the outskirts of Maidstone and residents do not want exceptional amounts of traffic forced up and down the spine road, (Deringwood Drive), just so the residents of the new development in Mote Park have a fancy looking entrance road!
I believe that additional surveys should be carried out by an independent organisation at certain times of the day and at certain locations – not just in Willington St.
This will prove to your department the traffic congestion all around this area. It should then be discussed with residents whether or not it is viable and/or acceptable to keep these traffic lights at this junction.

Finally, I would like to ask you a few questions:
How many complaints you have received, relating to these new traffic lights?
What happens to these complaints?
Do you or any of your colleagues travel anywhere near this area at rush hour times?
Do you believe that the new traffic light keep the traffic flowing freely and keeps congestion in the area, minimal?
Do you believe that these new traffic lights are a good idea?

It is unfortunate that everyone but the KCC Highways department can see what is happening at the moment - wrongly routed traffic causing unbelievable congestion and accidents that clearly relate to these new traffic lights, just waiting to happen.

Many thanks for taking the time to read this letter. I look forward to your reply.

John Everett
Chairman,
The Downswood Community Association.

KCC managing Congestion! Click to read.

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