Nerve-jangled residents of what is believed to be 's oldest village take their lives in their hands crossing a centuries old narrow bridge because they have to "run the gauntlet" during the brief change of lights. The stunning medieval single-lane - also recently named one of the prettiest - only has traffic lights for vehicles. This means pedestrians' only chance to get across the other side - and actually into the next county, East Sussex - is to leg it once the lights stop the traffic, and hope they get across before the lights change again.
Those up for the white-knuckle dash may not have to worry, but many people cross with children, in wheelchairs or are just unable to leg it. The parish council is urging to find a solution to the safety issue on the A28 bridge, built in 1706 to connect Kent with East Sussex. The council told this week it had "drawn up some proposals" to improve safety and was liaising with its counterpart in East Sussex.
Viv Robertson, vice chair and highways, on Newenden Parish Council, told KentLive: "The real problems are not also the HGVs that pound the bridge but also it's a safety issue for pedestrians who use it. The beautiful bridge only has traffic lights for vehicles therefore, the only option for pedestrians crossing is to run the gauntlet between the change of lights" "Mostly this results in vehicles crossing with pedestrians who often have one, two or more children with them, and pushchairs and wheelchairs are a nightmare. 30mph vehicles a.