Anxious residents want a 30mph limit to be introduced on a “dangerous” road which cuts their village in half.

Campaigners in Charing say they can’t understand why highways bosses have not brought in the rule on A20 Ashford Road.

The 60mph limit currently drops to 40mph through the village but residents say that should be lowered before someone is injured.

Jill Leyland, spokeswoman for the highways improvement group at Charing Parish Council, has long been calling for the change but feels it is now more important than ever.

“Harrietsham and Sellindge which are both on the A20 have a 30mph limit but we do not,” she said.

“It is a very fast rural road and it needs to be slowed.

“We have been hoping for this for a long time but it’s becoming more urgent now because of the amount of new houses Charing is taking.

“The parish as a whole will be growing by 40% in terms of housing in the next 10 years.

“There is going to be both a lot more people trying to cross the road, and new entrances onto the A20 because all the developments will exit onto it.

“Each exit raises the potential for more accidents.

“The children of primary age will go to Charing Primary School which is set to expand.

“Most will have to cross the A20 at a point where there is no controlled crossing so you can imagine the danger that poses.

“I’m yet to speak to a villager who does not support this.”

The 40mph limit comes in for Maidstone-bound traffic soon after passing the turn-off to Charing Crematorium and just after Hook Lane for Ashford-bound traffic.

It is hoped this could be extended slightly if the reduction is introduced to account for the planned new developments.

Just before Christmas, parish council chairman Chris Prinn wrote a letter to Kent County Council (KCC) raising concerns and asking for the changes, but he is yet to receive a reply.

Mrs Leyland added: “It is government policy that villages should have 30mph limits, but obviously to do that you have got to make some changes to the road to make traffic slow naturally.

“We would also like to have a second controlled crossing near the school.

“The problem with the A20 is that it splits our village in half, on one side you have the village centre with the shops, schools and library, the parish church, and on the other side you have the doctors’ surgery, the train station, the parish hall and the Methodist church.

“People have to cross the A20 all the time and it is difficult because it provides a barrier so we do need to make it easier to cross.”

In response, a KCC spokesperson said the authority is aware of Charing Parish Council’s request for a reduction of the 40mph limit.

“In the last decade there has been one reported crash involving a pedestrian crossing along the A20 and two crashes, in the same period, where speed was a contributing factor,” he said.

“KCC must make difficult decisions, based on the data available, as to how it uses its limited resources.

“It is important, however, everyone that interacts with our roads takes responsibility for keeping themselves safe.

“Road safety is a top priority for this council which is why we have amended the layout at the nearby crossroad with Station Road and the high street to reduce the risk of collisions, in response to a high number of crashes at that location.

“We will continue to work with the parish council to address any concerns going forward.”