Villagers are calling for speed cameras to be installed after reckless drivers have turned their community into a “danger zone”.

John Barrow has joined a chorus of calls over the years for a limit to be imposed on the busy route in and out of Bearsted, near Maidstone.

In particular, the stretch where the national speed limit applies between the M20 Junction 8 roundabout and the entrance to the village near Otham Lane is of concern.

And residents complain of cars “zooming” through the village itself, substantially above the 30mph limit.

Ashford Road resident Mr Barrow, promoting a petition campaign on change.org which has been signed by more than 1,000 people, wrote: “Every day, I witness speeding cars and lorries zooming through our village at alarming speeds of up to 70mph.

Cllr Springett, who also serves on Bearsted Parish Council, reported A20 speed tests are planned by Kent County Council’s highways department between Lenham and Bearsted.

Cables will be installed at various points along the route to work out where the greatest need is.

Cllr Springett added: “I’m aware as a borough councillor that there are concerns and calls for average speed cameras or speed limits.”

Fellow Bearsted parish councillor Cllr Denis Spooner said that there is an argument to reduce the 60mph limit on the A20 to a 40mph or 50mph.

He said: “This has been a problem for quite a while now and something needs to be done about it.”

Kent County Council cabinet member for highways, Cllr Neil Baker, confirmed the authority is carrying out surveys along the Lenham to Bearsted stretch.

He added: “It is something that we’re looking at very closely. We hope to get all the survey data from the cables we’re installing to assess speed, volume of traffic and the type of vehicles using that stretch of road.

“We hope to a more detailed picture of what is going on by the end of the year.”