The council has agreed to set up a working group after an emotive speech from Faversham's 20's Plenty campaign founder.

Amanda Russell, who started campaigning early last year, has won the support of borough councillors and will now work with them in finding a way to implement a 20mph speed limit in the town centre.

After a set back in December when Kent County Council (KCC) said they would not fund it because of the "economic climate and significant reductions in budgets", there is now new hope for safer roads.

Ms Russell, of Ospringe Road, spoke to borough councillors during the Joint Transportation Board (JTB) last night (Monday) at Swale House in Sittingbourne.

She spoke about the number of places across the country which have or are about to implement a 20mph speed limit and the significant effect that has on the rate of accidents and casualties.

She said: "There have been 140 incidents in Faversham in five years, including two fatalities and 13 others seriously injured.

"That’s 2.3 per month on average. We also have roads with single file or non-existent pavements on key routes to and from schools, parks and other amenities.

"We recently had a schoolchild injured by a hit and run taxi, crossing a place where many residents have requested a crossing or speed restriction over the years.

"We have had two people killed on crossings, crossings that residents know are dangerous because motorists don’t stop, even when they have children in tow.

"So let’s look at how 20mph limits could really benefit KCC and Faversham."

Ms Russell went on to highlight the impact of a 20mph speed limit on people using a car - research shoes that the limit encourages walking and cycling to local destinations.

The town council and Faversham Society both endorse the campaign and Cllr David Simmons (Con) was present at the JTB last night.

He said: "Faversham's compact nature means it would be easier to implement it.

"Bringing in a 20mph zone would be practical.

"I think it has been proven that drivers do drive slower when it is 20mph. I would like to see this committee endorse this and move forward with it.

"Ms Russell makes a very, very good case."

Kent County Council's Swale East representative Mike Baldock (Ukip) suggested that a 20mph speed limit should be rolled out across the borough, not just Faversham.

"I think it has been proven that drivers do drive slower when it is 20mph. I would like to see this committee endorse this and move forward with it." - Cllr David Simmons

He said: "My problem with this is that it should not be limited to Faversham.

"I think we should try to get a working group to implement this throughout Swale, as a district-wide policy."

But a number of councillors disagreed.

Kent County Council vice chairman Tom Gates, who is also vice chairman of the JTB, said: "20 is plenty.

"If we are going to reduce the speed limit we have to do it a section at a time.

"If you do the whole lot then we are going to have problems. If we can find the issues section by section, we can work out how to do it better in the next place.

"We have to remember that a 20mph speed limit does not mean there won't be accidents.

"Accidents still will happen, but hopefully not so many."

The councillors voted eight-six in favour of setting up the working group.

The news was later announced during a town council meeting at the Guildhall, where Ms Russell was praised for her work with the campaign.