New 'road sharing' scheme launches

By Jim Reed
Newsbeat technology reporter

Residents speak out about the scheme

Motoring groups have told Newsbeat they have concerns about a new road safety scheme in Kent.

Drivers no longer have the right of way on the Ashford ring road.

Instead cars, bikes and pedestrians have equal priority in what is the first major 'shared space' project in the UK.

Kerbs, crossings and four sets of traffic lights have been removed from a mile-long section of the road bordering the town centre.

Pedestrians and cyclists must use eye contact to work out when to cross the street or give way to oncoming traffic.

Shared spaces

The idea of a shared space first started in the Netherlands and has spread to other European countries.

By increasing uncertainty and removing 'clutter' like signs and traffic lights, planners hope to force drivers to take more care.

The concept has already been tried on small stretches of road in west London and Brighton but this is the first time it has been used on a major scale in the UK.

Motoring groups have expressed concern about the scheme

The road width in Ashford has been narrowed, the surface covered with brick and the speed limit cut to 20mph.

Crossings and roundabouts have also been replaced at a total cost of £13m.

Paul Carter from Kent County Council, which is behind the scheme, said: "People have to be mature about how it is used as a pedestrian zone and how motorists use it. That's where there is a little bit of friction.

"People are learning something new so they are cautious and wary. My instinct tells me they will get used to this much more easily than some people think and it will work."

No rulebook

But motoring groups are worried about the scheme.

The AA's head of road policy, Paul Watters, said: "It is difficult to change the whole road system. We are educated to look out for signs and this is throwing away the rulebook."

Both motorists and pedestrians have told Newsbeat that they are unhappy with the changes.

"You are sitting in traffic all day now. Before you could get round in two or three minutes, now it's 10 or 15," said one taxi driver.

Another shopper said: "There is no clear distinction between the road and the pedestrian area."

Kent County Council says this is the first stage of a wider transport plan for Ashford and it won't be possible to judge the success of the scheme until the public has had time to get used to it.