Drivers unlawfully using a stretch of road restricted to buses and taxis will soon face £70 fines when cameras are installed.

Access to the prohibited part of Beaver Road in Ashford was previously blocked by a retractable bollard that only allowed access to designated vehicles.

But with the protective post inactive for years, motorists have been flouting the rules and using the route as a shortcut into town, avoiding having to take a 1.4-mile diversion down Norman Road and past the Ashford Designer Outlet on the A2042.

But now Kent County Council (KCC) has confirmed new Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras will be installed by the end of the year to crack down on the issue.

Drivers caught using the crossing will be slapped with a £70 penalty charge notice, reduced to £35 if paid within 21 days.

June and Ron Adams, who live opposite the bus gate, are pleased the cameras are being installed and hope it will slow down drivers who “race through” the barrier all night.

Mrs Adams, 86, who has lived in Beaver Road for more than 20 years, said: “It is very noisy and the fumes are disgusting.

“I've got a very sick husband and it is not good for him to have the windows open.

“The speed cars come through is horrendous, especially at night.

“Having the cameras will make the road safer because if you have only got buses, taxis and emergency vehicles coming through, that will make a lot of difference.”

Also pleased enforcement action is finally on the cards is resident Tina Moor.

While hopeful it will make the road quieter, she says it would be better if residents who live next to the gate are also given a pass to travel through.

The 42-year-old, who has lived in the street for 15 years, said: “I do wonder how long it will take to have an impact, but I hope it cuts down on the speeding.

“It has been a long time coming.

“I don't drive so it doesn't impact me, but perhaps residents who live here could have a pass.

“It was nice during lockdown because the roads were quiet; it will be nice to get back to that.

“It would be great if the cameras could pick up the speeding too.“

There have long been calls to have the bollard fixed, but news of the changes has not been welcomed by all.

Jackie Macey, who has lived nearby for more than 30 years, believes it would be better to open up the road to all traffic.

The 58-year-old said: “I think it was the worst thing they have ever done putting up that barrier.

“I would rather it was open to everyone.

“If we want to go into town we have to go right around.

“I don't think it’s fair on residents that they have to go out of their way just to get into town, especially as the diversion through Orbital gets so busy at the weekends with everyone going to the outlet.

“When they first asked people's opinions on the barrier originally, we asked for sleeping policemen because they would slow traffic down but still keep the road open.”

Resident Yaa Kwarteng, 38, agrees, saying: “My concern is with those of us who live here.

“There are residents that use this as their main route instead of going past the designer outlet.

“It contributes to traffic when you have to go round.

“People use it now and there isn't much traffic so I don't think it would be a problem if everyone did.”

While understanding the concerns residents have, KCC councillor for Ashford Central Paul Bartlett (Con) believes the new cameras will make the roads much safer.

“The bollard hasn't worked for two or three years so that idea has been binned,” he explained.

“It will make a huge difference because there is currently no enforcement of the rat run through Beaver Road.

“It will transform the area for residents.”

A KCC spokesperson said: “Following a change in the law, KCC applied for powers to enforce moving traffic offences such as the illegal use of bus lanes, including the bus gate at Beaver Road, Ashford.

“This power was granted by the Department for Transport and we are working to source a contractor, which we hope to have in place by the end of the year.”