Fed-up neighbours are calling for urgent upgrades to a "rat-run" bridge barely wide enough for two cars to pass.

The humpback crossing in Crowbridge Road, Ashford, has plagued motorists for years due to its narrowness and lack of visibility either way.

Now, residents say the South Willesborough bridge is no longer fit for purpose due to the increasing size of cars and number of drivers using it.

Developers say they are looking to make the crossing a single lane and install traffic lights - but it is not known when it will be improved.

Those living in Gladstone Road, which is directly next to the bridge, say bosses must take action soon.

Retiree Harry Thomas, who has lived in the street for 25 years, says drivers “just cannot see”.

"It’s very narrow and one motorcyclist even got injured a while back and ended up needing an ambulance for hours because of the injuries,” the 67-year-old said.

"If you dare to walk across it too you're potentially losing your life there.

"Along with new houses nearby, it's a nice shortcut to Orbital Park and McDonald's and all of this has meant the kerb there has been hit so many times.

"Some will say the bridge has always been there, but the difference now is the size of cars and the amount of traffic coming across it compared to before.”

Fellow neighbours echo Mr James' views and argue the only solution is to introduce traffic-calming measures.

Husband-and-wife Justin and Vickie Hammond insist the bridge is also causing problems for Gladstone Road residents wishing to enter and exit the street.

Mrs Hammond believes making the route one-way will improve people's safety and prevent future accidents.

"The issue is definitely getting worse," the 52-year-old said.

"Nobody gives way and with cars getting bigger it means we have to turn around or just sit and wait while others queue behind.

"People park on the bends of Gladstone Road and that means it ends up becoming another problem.

"So you have this situation of leaving the road and not being able to see left because of the bridge, but then right too because of the bridge and parked cars.

"It's worse in the summer too because there's no lights from people's cars.

"I don't know if it's possible to close the bridge, but it could do with widening and making our road one-way so only cars can come in."

In 2019, developer Quinn Estates put forward a proposal for traffic lights on the crossing as part of a new three-way junction with Gladstone Road.

The idea was proposed when the Bridge-based company submitted its planning application for the Ashford International Studios scheme on the former Newtown railway works less than 500 metres away from the bridge.

Planning documents submitted to Kent County Council showed bosses hoped to create the signal junction and make Gladstone Road one-way, with a section of Crowbridge Road widened by 0.5m at the junction with Mead Road.

Quinn Estates says the proposal is still on the cards, although timeframes remain unknown while work continues on the Newtown works project.

A spokesman for the company said: "As part of the regeneration of Newtown works, there are a number of proposed road safety improvements that will take place.

"These include installing traffic lights on the bridge to control the traffic and making this a single lane, and installing traffic lights to control the traffic at the main entrance to Newtown works.

"We are currently carrying out structural surveys in conjunction with KCC Highways department - the outcome of which will determine the process and timeline for these improvements to take place."