Following years of campaigning  for safety improvements on the A257 through the KCC Highways Improvement Plan Parish Council scheme and with no positive results achieved thus far, the A257 Traffic Group are calling on KCC to act and improve safety on The Roman Road, through the hamlet of Shatterling and on the Ash Bypass.



The petition is supported by Sir Roger Gale MP and our Neighbourhood Beat Officer PC Bowler.

A257 Traffic Group members outside Wingham Country Market, Roman Road A257. Photo courtesy of Trevor Bartlett

CORE GROUP Members are representatives of the following Parish Councils and Associations (in alphabetical order):-
• Adisham Parish Council
• Ash Parish Council
• Bekesbourne with Patrixbourne Parish Council
• Ickham & Well Parish Council (Bramling)
• Littlebourne Parish Council
• Littlebourne & Stodmarsh Roads Community Association (LSRCA)
• Preston Parish Council
• Staple Parish Council (Shatterling)
• Wickhambreaux Parish Council
• Wingham Parish Council
. Woodnesborough Parish Council

FULL GROUP In addition to Core Group members, the Full Group members include:-
• District Councillor for Little Stour & Adisham Ward, Canterbury, currently Cllr Lee Castle
• District Councillor for Little Stour & Ashstone Ward, Dover, currently Cllr Martin Porter
• Kent County Councillor for Canterbury City South, currently Cllr Connie Nolan
• Kent County Councillor for Canterbury South, currently Cllr Mike Sole
• Kent County Councillor for Sandwich, currently Cllr Peter Evans
• MP for Canterbury/Whitstable, currently Rosie Duffield
• MP for Herne Bay & Sandwich, currently Roger Gale

MEETINGS are held every other month in January, March, May, July, September and November with Full Group Members attending every other meeting in January, May and September only. These are not public meetings. Other Councillors and/or interested parties are invited to attend according to the agenda.

A257 PLAN
The Group produced and launched the ‘A257 Plan’ in 2018 which documents issues surrounding congestion, accidents and pedestrians, providing fact-based information and proposals for improvements on the road to make it safer for all users.

LATEST UPDATES AND INFORMATION
MEETING UPDATE: Saturday 16 May 2026 FULL GROUP MEETING 
The Group's public petition to KCC Highways requesting safety improvements on the A257 from Gobery Hill in Wingham through to the Sandwich Roundabout at the end of the Ash bypass was submitted on 13 May and awaiting approval.
Members discussed the poor use of road closure signs and lack of liaison regarding programmed works and it was agreed to write to both KCC Highways and utility companies.
Sir Roger Gale added that, in conjunction with the Preston Parish Council Chairman, he had been in discussion with KCC Highways regarding utility company road closures and sign use in Preston where many businesses had suffered loss of business, but blame was often put on contractors or utility companies.  Other matters covered by Sir Roger was the current atmosphere in Parliament, Tourist tax and a Wingham resident enquiry about the B2046.
Cllr Mike Sole supplied a written report in advance to the Group adminstrator, noting the recent KCC Road Safety & Active Travel Group seminar at Betteshanger which was well attended by local parishes.  He noted the talk on safety cameras which was interesting but disheartening when it comes to thinking what might be possible for the A257.  Cllr Sole also noted KCC's new roads contractor, Ringway, who took over from AMEY in May.  Though early signs are good there is a large backlog of works to get through.
Updates from Group and Village representatives were received from Ash, Bramling, LSRCA,  Wingham and Woodnesborough:-  Ash noted installation of the pedestrian warning signs on the bypass had been delayed due to the change over in KCC contractor.  The Developer for the Ash Levels solar farm has appealed DDC's decision to refuse.  The proposed 20mph limit is out for public consultation. An FOI request to Kent Police on A257 collision data has been made.   Bramling: A grant application for a bus shelter near The Haywain has been made.  LSRCA: A Gazette article on the change of KCC contractor was noted and comment made on the recent Appeal at CCC regarding the Littlebourne Gladman planning application. Wingham: noted that a HIP scheme for Seath's Corner has been delayed due to the contractor changeover at KCC.  Woodnesborough: noted their HIP updates.
Next Meeting Date: Saturday 18 July 2026 for the Core Traffic Group members.

KCC'S VISION ZERO ROAD SAFETY STRATEGY Please visit the KCC VISION ZERO page to find out more.  An excerpt from the KCC page reads as follows:- There are on average just over 45 deaths on Kent’s roads each year. Kent County Council (KCC) is setting the target of zero, or as close as possible, fatalities and life changing injuries by 2050 with a 50% reduction by 2030 and a target of no more than 39 traffic fatalities by 2026. Vision Zero is not just about focussing on the date we achieve zero, but the recognition that deaths on the road are not an acceptable price to pay for mobility.  We will follow the Safe System Approach which understands that people make mistakes and aims to ensure these mistakes do not cause a death or a life-changing injury.

CONTACT THE A257 TRAFFIC GROUP
The Group Administrator is Kerry Coltham, the Wingham Parish Council Clerk. Please use the CONTACT PAGE for your enquiry