Poor highway condition has been blamed for the death of a young motorist in Kent. Twenty year old Lucy Boughton from Sevenoaks was killed in October 2011 after the vehicle she was driving left a bend on single carriageway section of the A21 between Tonbridge and Pembury and struck nearby trees. Her sister, a passenger in the vehicle, suffered serious injuries.

A Coroner’s inquest concluded that the poor state of the road was a key factor in the accident. Highway consultant Alexandra Luck MCIHT, who carried out a highway investigation on behalf of Kent Police, said she believed there to be “significant systemic failings which resulted in a failure to take action to maintain the carriageway, despite overwhelming evidence of deterioration of surface condition and a worsening safety record.”

The inquest heard that a number of complaints had been lodged in 2009 and 2010 about the condition of the bend. Following the incident high friction surfacing was installed at the site.

The Highways Agency, which is responsible for the management and maintenance of the road, said in a statement: “Our deepest sympathies are with the friends and family of Lucy Boughton following the tragic incident on the A21. We will give very careful consideration to any written recommendations from the Coroner.”

(Photo: Google Maps)

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