An area spanning 44 roads in a Kent town is set to become a 20mph zone under new plans.

The idea is being considered by Kent County Council in a bid to make roads safer for pedestrians and animals in the Salmestone area of Margate, around the QEQM hospital.

It would be the latest 20mph zone to be introduced in the county - where several such areas have been established in towns in recent years.

In February, the reduced speed limit was implemented permanently across Faversham, after a 17-month trial. It followed a five-year ‘20’s Plenty’ campaign to get council bosses to back the initiative.

Last month, Ashford's first 20mph limit was approved for 40 roads in the Bybrook and Bockhanger area.

But such schemes do not always attract public support.

A 20mph zone extended across much of Tonbridge town centre was introduced in September 2020. But a consultation of 1,123 people found 74% objected to the idea of a town-wide scheme.

The plans for the lower limit in Margate has been welcomed by county councillor Barry Lewis, who says residents have been "worried about speeding and dangerous driving in the area".

If approved, the limit would be lowered from 30mph to 20mph along the 44 roads.

Cllr Barry Lewis said: "This is another step forward in making Thanet roads safer for families and pets.

"This follows the successful 20mph project on Margate seafront, which has resulted in no reported accidents since it was introduced nearly two years ago.

"I've fulfilled my promise to the Salmestone residents association who quite correctly were worried about speeding and dangerous driving in the area around Margate hospital."

Kent County Council has launched a consultation, and is inviting people to have their say.

It says the idea has been made to help avoid "danger to persons or other traffic using the road or any other road or for preventing the likelihood of any such danger arising".

The council will then be able to review the scheme, to decide whether to make the order permanent, amend it or scrap it.

Which Margate roads could be affected?

The following 42 roads would become 20mph zones in their entirety:

• Alexandra Road
• Beatrice Road
• Buckingham Road
• Channel Road
• Chapel Hill Close
• Clive Road
• Connaught Gardens
• Connaught Road
• Continental Approach
• Crossways Avenue
• Dene Walk
• Drapers Avenue
• Drapers Close
• Elmley Way
• Enterprise Road
• Enterprise Way
• Farley Road
• Giles Gardens
• Gladstone Road
• Gordon Road
• Helena Avenue
• Holly Close
• Lister Road
• Marlborough Road
• Nash Court Gardens
• Nash Court Road
• Nash Lane
• Oast Court
• Payton Close
• Perkins Avenue
• Rowe Close
• Salmestone Road
• St Andrews Close
• St Annes Gardens
• St Augustines Avenue
• St Peters Footpath
• Strasbourg Street
• The Greenfinches
• Tivoli Brooks
• Tivoli Road
• Ulster Road
• Yoakley Square

College Road would also become 20mph from its junction with Ramsgate Road to its junction with Hartsdown Road.

Meanwhile in St Peters Road, the side road fronting properties 59 to 135 from its junction with Lister Road to its junction with St Peters Road would also become 20mph.