Many local residents have written to me complaining about the danger of crossing Margate Rd at the southernmost point of Blacksole Bridge.
For residents of the Talmead estate this is part of a very popular walking route, either to access the Sainsburys on Altira Park or to walk into the town centre. However, approaching the bridge on foot from Mill Lane and trying to cross over Margate Road is fraught with danger, as there is a blind corner to the left, with no visibility at all of cars cars driving south over the bridge. As one resident wrote to me, 'You take your life in your hands every time you step foot into the road, just hoping no car emerges from round the corner'.
Given how many families and elderly residents live in the area, this situation is simply too dangerous to be allowed to continue and I have been working with the local Beltinge councillors, Jeanette and Ian Stockley, and Kent County Council to find a solution.
It seems that it may be possible for Kent County Council to acquire a small strip of land on the easterly side of Margate Rd and remove the current wall there to create a footpath which pedestrians can cross onto about 50 metres south of the current crossing point at the foot of Blacksole Bridge. This point has visibility of cars approaching in both directions and would be much, much safer for walkers.
We are working with the current landowner to take ownership of the land, and together with my KCC Members Grant, we may be able to fund the construction of the footpath. As such, I will keep you updated on this project to help make our community a safer place to travel around.