by Hayley Robinson

Villagers will carry a coffin along a notorious stretch of road as part of a mass protest to get the speed limit cut.

The action is being taken by angry residents living in the area of Chestnut Street, Borden. They say the road has become plagued by speeding motorists trying to avoid the lights at Stockbury roundabout.

A request to lower the limit was recently rejected by Kent County Council because there was "no clear-evidence" it is needed.

Alan Belsom and his neighbours are organising the march which is due to set off from the Tudor Rose pub end of the road at 11am on June 16.

Forty horse riders, dog walkers and mums pushing prams are expected to take part.

Mr Belsom, of Chestnut Wood Lane, off Chestnut Street, said: "We intend to borrow a coffin or if we can’t borrow one make it and get ‘pallbearers’ to carry it through the village with the words ‘Unknown Person R.I.P’ on it.

"Two people died before they found the money for Jade’s Crossing [at the bottom of Detling Hill]. I don’t want to see someone die.

"We don’t want a bridge but we would like to see either the speed limit reduced, speed humps or chicanes. It’s not about stopping the traffic, it’s about calming it before someone dies."

Hilary Lockwood, who has lived in Chestnut Street for 12 years, has teamed up with her neighbours Heather Robson and Glyn Martin (pictured) to produce and distribute 200 letters to people living in, and around, the road to sign. They will then be sent to Cllr Bryan Sweetland, KCC’s cabinet member for environment, highways and waste, in the hope he will address the issue. So far 150 letters have been signed.

The trio also plan to make banners for residents to display at the front of their properties urging motorists to slow down.

Mrs Lockwood said: "It seems someone has to die before KCC will do anything.

"We had a meeting with Keith Ferrin [KCC councillor for Swale west] on Tuesday morning. He lives at the Danaway end of the road. Hopefully he will try and do something too."