New Shorncliffe Road Zebra Crossing Confirmed

It has been confirmed that a proposed new crossing of Shorncliffe Road to make access from Sandgate and West Folkestone to Folkestone West Railway Station has got the go-ahead and will be built this summer. The plan went to consulation with residents earlier this year.

Following consultation, the detailed plans have been slightly amended, moving the new crossing from one side of the Shorncliffe Road junction with Audley Road to the other, so that the crossing now is opposite St George's Church.

The scheme is now in the hands of contrators, and should, all things being equal, be constructed in the next two months.

The scheme was brought forward after a local resident raised the need for a crossing with Sandgate and West Folkestone District Councillor Tim Prater, who took up the issue with Kent County Council. Tim says:

"I''m delighted with the proactive response that Kent County Council and their officers have taken on this crossing. They have understood the need and this crossing should make it much safter for pedestrians and cyclists to access the train station."

View the full new Shorncliffe Road crossing plan.

The Highways Improvement Notice of Works issued by Kent County Council reads:

Shorncliffe Road junction with Audley Road, Folkestone: We are installing a new Zebra crossing

What are we planning to do?

Kent County Council are planning to install a new Zebra crossing point on the Shorncliffe Road, Folkestone, located after the junction with Audley Road. The plans also include the installation of a kerb build out to make the zebra crossing more visible to on-coming traffic. (please see a plan of what we are planning to do overleaf)

When will the work start on Shorncliffe Road, Folkestone and how long will it take?

The work will take around three weeks to complete, commencing later on this year in 2020. KCC will advise on the exact date once this has been agreed with the contractor and inform all two weeks prior to construction. Site working hours will be between the hours of 8am and 4.30pm, Monday to Friday. The carriageway on either approach to the new zebra crossing will be resurfaced under a full road closure for a duration of two nights, a diversion route will be in place to guide road users around the closure.

This type of work can be affected by bad weather, so if it is not possible for us to carry it out at this time, we will arrange a new date and let you know via a letter drop to your home. We will also put up signs along the road, before we start, showing the date we plan to start work.

How will we carry out the works and how will it affect you?

The main construction works will be undertaken using temporary traffic signals to give our contractor a safe area within which to carry out construction along with a two night closure for the resurfacing and lining works. We need your help to make sure the work is done as quickly as possible and to the best possible quality. If your vehicle is usually parked on the carriageway, please make sure you park it somewhere else away from the site whilst the works are carried out.

Why do we want to do this work?

Kent County Council are installing this crossing to assist safer pedestrian movements across the busy Shorncliffe Road, Folkestone. Recent surveys confirmed a total of 4276 pedestrians crossed at this location within one week, an average of 610 per day. The new crossing will provide a safer link for commuters of West Folkestone to Folkestone West Railway Station.

Keeping you and our staff safe

We want to complete the works as quickly as we can and without causing you too much inconvenience. So please respect our workers' space and safety by driving carefully and slowly through the roadworks. Feedback from our workers shows that too many drivers go too fast through roadworks. Everyone is entitled to a safe workplace and our staff work next to moving traffic and risk injury every day to maintain and improve the highway for everyone.

Please keep this leaflet safe in case you need to contact us

For further information or to find out more about what we do please visit our website www.kent.gov.uk/highways where you can also report a fault on any of our roads across Kent. You can find us on Twitter @KentHighways. If you have a problem during the works or need to contact us in an emergency you can call us on 03000 41 81 81. We often ask residents to fill in a short feedback survey that we will post through your door after we have completed our works so please help us by filling this in and sending it back freepost. You can also do this survey on line at www.kent.gov.uk/roadworkssurvey.

WARNING - Beware Bogus CallersKent County Council Highways & Transportation do not allow works to be carried out on private properties. If anyone says they are working for us or our specialist contractors and offer to carry out any work for cash they should be treated with caution and you are advised to contact Citizens Advice Consumer Service