Labour councillors in Fant have started a petition calling on KCC to provide an additional pedestrian crossing in Tonbridge Road, Maidstone.

Cllr Paul Harper said: "A lot of people would like to cross the road in the vicinity of the Beverley Road junction, in order to get to and from Barming Primary School."

He said: "But at present they have to either walk to the crossing at North Street or take their lives in their hands trying to cross at the Fountain junction. Neither is a satisfactory solution."

Cllr Harper said an extra crossing would have the additional benefit of acting as a speed reduction measure on a stretch where motorists "often go too fast."

He said: "We all know that Tonbridge Road is a nightmare.

"I have been contacted by a number of residents from the surrounding streets who complain of the danger of trying to crossing Tonbridge Road."

He said the obvious, low-cost solution was to create an additional zebra crossing with a pedestrian refuge, close to the junction with Beverley Road.

Cllr Patrick Coates said: “We urge all local residents to sign the petition which we will then present to KCC to try to get something done."

Residents who have not yet received a petition form through their letterboxes can obtain one by emailing paulharper@maidstone.gov.uk