A campaign is being launched to cut Maidstone speed limits to 20mph.

The 20mph Maidstone campaign is being launched at 10am on Saturday, April 25 outside County Hall when campaigners will be handing out window stickers.

Members of Maidstone Green Party, who will be handing out the stickers, have welcomed the imminent announcement from the Department of Transport that they are to recommend that councils implement a 20mph limit on all residential roads.

A poll of Maidstone residents conducted by local Greens last year showed that 70 per cent of people were in favour of a 20mph limit outside their home.

The Greens have launched an online petition callig on Kent County Council to make Maidstone's residential streets safer after increases in road deaths in recent years.

Stuart Jeffery, Green Party general election candidate for Maidstone and the Weald, said: "The number of fatal accidents has doubled each year for the past three. It is time KCC took real action and slowed our streets down by implementing a blanket 20mph limit in all residential areas.

"The timing for our campaign is boosted by the government's imminent announcement that it will be recommending to all councils to implement 20mph limits, and we hope that Kent Council Council follows this advice.

"A blanket 20mph limit sends a strong message to drivers and it should soon feel natural to drive at 20 rather than 30mph."