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Sheppey crossing safety calls after 130-vehicle crash Sheppey crossing safety calls after 130-vehicle crash
(about 2 hours later)
There have been calls for lighting and speed restrictions on a bridge in Kent where 130 vehicles were involved in a series of crashes in thick fog. There have been calls for speed restrictions and overhead lighting on a bridge in Kent where 130 vehicles were involved in a series of crashes in fog.
Eight people were seriously injured and a further 35 needed hospital treatment following the pile-up on the Sheppey crossing on Thursday.Eight people were seriously injured and a further 35 needed hospital treatment following the pile-up on the Sheppey crossing on Thursday.
David Bizley, from the RAC, said it was a "miracle that nobody was killed". David Bizley from the RAC said it was a "miracle that nobody was killed".
Edmund King from the AA said he wanted to see matrix warning signs installed on the bridge "as a minimum".Edmund King from the AA said he wanted to see matrix warning signs installed on the bridge "as a minimum".
The A249 bridge was closed for nine hours while the wreckage was cleared. It partially reopened at 17:30 BST.The A249 bridge was closed for nine hours while the wreckage was cleared. It partially reopened at 17:30 BST.
Some reports said the series of crashes went on for 10 minutes.Some reports said the series of crashes went on for 10 minutes.
Those involved in the collisions described a mass of tangled cars, lorries and vans.Those involved in the collisions described a mass of tangled cars, lorries and vans.
Edmund King from the AA said: "As a minimum we would like to see matrix warning signs either side of the bridge, so if there is severe weather it can advise that people should slow down. Mr King from the AA said: "As a minimum we would like to see matrix warning signs either side of the bridge, so if there is severe weather it can advise that people should slow down.
"There's a good case here for reducing the speed, particularly when there's bad weather.""There's a good case here for reducing the speed, particularly when there's bad weather."
'Damp road''Damp road'
Councillor Ken Pugh, from Swale Borough Council, said he had been campaigning for lighting and speed restrictions since the bridge was opened in 2006.Councillor Ken Pugh, from Swale Borough Council, said he had been campaigning for lighting and speed restrictions since the bridge was opened in 2006.
"If the bridge had been lit properly and speed signs had come up, perhaps the tragedy would not have happened," he said."If the bridge had been lit properly and speed signs had come up, perhaps the tragedy would not have happened," he said.
Mr Bizley said: "There was fog on the road was damp and we have had a prolonged period of hot weather so the road was greasy. Mr Bizley said: "There was fog on the road, it was damp and we have had a prolonged period of hot weather so the road was greasy.
"There are pockets where someone has been driving too fast and too close and that causes an accident.""There are pockets where someone has been driving too fast and too close and that causes an accident."
He said improvements in car design had helped protect the vehicles' occupants.He said improvements in car design had helped protect the vehicles' occupants.
"In the 1970s 8,000 people were killed on the roads each year. Last year it was 1,700," he said."In the 1970s 8,000 people were killed on the roads each year. Last year it was 1,700," he said.
The £100m four-lane crossing connects the Isle of Sheppey with mainland Kent.The £100m four-lane crossing connects the Isle of Sheppey with mainland Kent.
It is three-quarters of a mile (1.25km) long and rises to 115ft (35m) at its highest point.It is three-quarters of a mile (1.25km) long and rises to 115ft (35m) at its highest point.
In 2006 the then Chief Constable of Kent, Mike Fuller, said there were "significant concerns" over the safety of the bridge.In 2006 the then Chief Constable of Kent, Mike Fuller, said there were "significant concerns" over the safety of the bridge.
They included no emergency telephones, lighting, or hard shoulder. They included there being no emergency telephones, lighting, or hard shoulder.
Mr Fuller also called for a speed limit reduction on the bridge - it is currently the national limit of 70mph.Mr Fuller also called for a speed limit reduction on the bridge - it is currently the national limit of 70mph.