Welcome to Folkestone: Cheriton High Street Left to Rot by Kent Highways

Cheriton Town Councillor Tim Prater has slammed Kent Highways for refusing to take urgent action to re-instate broken verging and repair the Cheriton Road layby by junction 12 of the M20.

Tim said:

"I've been calling on Kent Highways or Shepway Council to take action to stop lorry parking here and get the layby tidied for months, but apart from a bit of grass-cutting, nothing gets done.

"The newest problem is that the kerb stones at the entrance to the lay-by are entirely out of place and on-end. This is a huge hazard to vehicles near the kerb on this busy stretch of road and a terrible advert for the state of Folkestone - it's one of the first things people will see on the way into the town from junction 12. I've reported the lifted stones, and asked for urgent action to get them made safe.

"Kent keep claiming that they have a scheme to stop lorry parking here, and have promised me that it is planned this financial year - but local residents shouldn't have to wait on a long held-out promise. I've suggested that parking bays are painted here and official signs erected - I've even offered to find the funding - but Kent refuse to help out.

"It's a disgrace that lorry parking here has been allowed to blight local residents lives for so long. It's a disgrace the entrance to Folkestone is allowed to look this shoddy. It's a disgrace that kerbs can be left in this unsafe and uneven condition. Kent and Shepway should be ashamed."