by Nicola Forman

Residents fear for their safety when walking along a main road through their village.
People living in Hartlip say the Lower Hartlip Road is used as a 'rat-run’ for people to get to Maidstone or on to the M2 and fear someone will be killed before long.
Last week councillors and residents met MP Derek Wyatt and county councillor Keith Ferrin (Con) and it was agreed that a traffic survey be carried out along that road.
Graham Addicott, chairman of the parish council and chairman of governors at Hartlip Primary School, said: “The parish council have had a number of complaints about speeding on the Lower Hartlip Road.
“People can drive at 50mph without breaking the law.
Concerned
“That is quite an unreasonable speed on such narrow country lanes.
“Only if they are considered to be driving recklessly would they be likely to be prosecuted.
“Although no one has been killed on the Lower Hartlip Road in recent years, there have been a number of accidents.
“However, there are a number of families with small children living along the road and the parents are very concerned for the safety of their children.
“The parish council is anxious to get a speed limit imposed without having to wait for a fatality.
“The village school has a travel plan and children are encouraged to walk or cycle to school whenever possible.
“They are unlikely to do so with drivers hurtling around bends at 50mph.”