A recent accident on the A21 Tonbridge bypass has raised significant safety concerns regarding road conditions in the area. Conor Hardy, a 44-year-old who resides in Tonbridge, was involved in a dramatic incident in November 2022, when his vehicle skidded due to aquaplaning, colliding with the central reservation. This accident occurred just before the A26 turn-off.
According to Hardy, he lost control of his car after hitting surface water. After managing to steer his vehicle onto the grass, he noticed additional accidents occurring on the same stretch of road. In a fortunate turn of events, he assisted ambulance personnel in rescuing another driver whose vehicle had overturned and landed in a nearby pond.
Multiple Incidents Highlight Road Safety Issues
Data indicates that there have been eight accidents in the same location since 2022, with three occurring within a 300-meter radius in the same year. Alarmingly, a deadly crash happened in March 2022 when a driver in his 50s lost his life after his Citroen C4 overturned into a water-filled ditch.
- Number of accidents since 2022: 8
- Accidents within a 300-meter radius in 2022: 3
- Fatal accident: March 2022
Hardy emphasized that the drainage issues are a significant factor in these accidents. He explained that water accumulates in the middle of the roadway, creating hazardous conditions. Motorists on the south-bound carriageway often travel at speeds of up to 70 mph, making it difficult for them to react to such dangers.
Call for Urgent Action
In light of these incidents, Hardy believes immediate action is necessary to improve safety. He advocates for the installation of crash barriers to prevent vehicles from veering off into the pond. In response to concerns raised by Hardy, National Highways, which oversees road maintenance, stated that safety is their top priority and that they conduct regular inspections and sweeping to manage surface water.
Despite their efforts—including 36 sweeps in the current year—Hardy is unconvinced that merely cleaning the road addresses the underlying issues. He argues for a more proactive solution to the drainage problem that has persistently compromised safety. While National Highways plans to cut back vegetation to enhance drainage, Hardy insists that further measures are crucial.
“It’s not enough just to warn people,” he commented. “The drainage needs fixing. We need a permanent solution to prevent further accidents.”
Hardy hopes that by bringing attention to these safety concerns, he can help avert future tragedies on this precarious stretch of the A21 Tonbridge bypass.
