The proposals follow a history of collisions at the junction, where five collisions which resulted in physical injury were recorded in the three years up to 31 December 2024, with further incidents occurring in earlier years.
Previous works have been carried out to improve safety at the junction, including enhanced warning signage, large junction warning signs on yellow boards on both approaches to Chartham Downs Road, SLOW road markings in both directions, and a STOP sign at the Redhouse Lane junction. However, collisions have continued to occur.
Most recorded collisions involve vehicles pulling out of Redhouse Lane and colliding with traffic on Chartham Downs Road, where visibility is limited and difficult to significantly improve due to the road layout.
KCC is considering two options to improve safety:
- Closing Redhouse Lane to motor vehicles: closing the northern section of the road between The Red House and the junction with Chartham Downs Road to all motor traffic. Pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders would still be able to use the route, with vehicle access maintained from the south via Stone Street / Street End. This would remove through-traffic but could increase the risk of issues such as fly-tipping and other antisocial behaviour.
- Introducing a one-way system: making Redhouse Lane one-way southbound from Chartham Downs Road to Stone Street. This would reduce conflict at the junction while keeping the route open, although there is a risk some drivers may not comply and vehicle speeds could increase.
The scheme would cost around £15,000 with no significant difference between the two options. It would be funded through KCC’s Crash Remedial Measures programme.
“This consultation is an important opportunity for residents and road users to help us understand which option they feel would work best for the area.”
Peter Osborne, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, said: “Safety is our priority, and while measures such as improved signage and road markings are already in place at this junction, collisions have continued to occur.
“This consultation is an important opportunity for residents and road users to help us understand which option they feel would work best for the area, so we encourage people to take part and share their views.”
The consultation will run from 20 May to 30 June 2026 and will give the community an opportunity to comment on the proposals and help decide how to proceed with the scheme.
You can share your views on the proposed highway safety improvement scheme by completing the online questionnaire on the consultation webpage: www.kent.gov.uk/redhouselane.
If you have any questions on the proposed scheme, or would like a paper copy, please email east.highwayimprovements@kent.gov.uk or call 03000 41 81 81. When contacting us, please quote the reference ‘Redhouse Lane, Chartham CRM’.
After the consultation closes, KCC will review all responses and produce a consultation report, summarising the feedback received.
The consultation feedback is expected to be presented to the Canterbury Joint Transportation Board (JTB). A final decision on how to proceed will be taken by the Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport.
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