By Brian Wimsett: Once upon a time in the ‘fabulous’ 1950s, motoring down the Alkham Valley Road was a proper, winding adventure, a tortuous twist and turn where remnants of the old track can still be spotted gathering moss at Drellingore and Standen.
Fast forward through the groovy improvements of the swinging sixties and seventies, and the route settled into the familiar tarmac layout we know today.
Back in the 1990s, when it was still officially known as the B2060, the valley enjoyed a relatively peaceful existence with a modest 5,000 vehicles a day, as most Dover-bound travellers stuck happily to the M2 and A2. Even when the M20 to Folkestone wrapped up in 1993, clever mapmakers downgraded Alkham Valley to a humble ‘C’ road, hoping drivers would behave and stick to the shiny new A20 through Capel. But motorists are a cheeky bunch! The valley road fast became the ultimate cheeky shortcut between Dover and the M20, and today traffic has doubled to a whopping 10,000 vehicles every single day.
For nearly thirty years, the Parish Council and local action groups have been championing the cause for safer speeds, better pedestrian crossings, and a bit of peace for local residents, walkers, and cyclists alike. Sadly, after a burst of enthusiasm in 1998 that brought us some fresh white lines and traffic islands, the promises of grander improvements seem to have got stuck in a permanent traffic jam.
Now, the Traffic Action Group wants to hear your side of the story. Whether you are driven mad by roaring HGV engines, worried about stepping out for a stroll, or just have a thought on how the valley has changed over the last three decades, your local tales are vital. You can share your thoughts by dropping an email to brianwimsett@hotmail.com, or simply pop a good old-fashioned note into the local mailbox at the Old Post Office. Brian Wimsett and the team are waiting to hear from you!