Speeds need to be slashed along a “danger” route before another schoolchild is run over, campaigners say.

Labour councillor Mel Dawkins is calling for a series of changes to be made to New Dover Road in Canterbury following a number of crashes in recent months.

In one of the recent incidents, Lucy Billingham, 18, died after the Ford Fiesta she was travelling in crashed into the Old Gate Inn pub near the roundabout at the top of the road.

Just two days later, emergency crews were called to yet another crash at the spot, when a car smashed into a lamppost.

And last Tuesday, a Mini Cooper overturned at the roundabout.

Further down the road, youngsters have been knocked over by vehicles along the route and nearby Old Dover Road twice in the past three months.

“I am very concerned,” Cllr Dawkins told the Gazette.

“The lighting could be better.

“People are coming off the A2 and it goes from being an open road to a built-up area, so it needs to be mitigated more so you feel like you’re coming into an area where you need to slow down.

“The Old Dover Road approach from the city centre is also not very well-lit.”

Tragic teen Lucy died as she travelled back to a hotel following an evening out at a city nightclub on December 3.

Four others in the car were taken to hospital for treatment with injuries not believed to be life-threatening.

The driver, a 20-year-old man, was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. He has since been bailed.

Cllr Dawkins believes the speed limit in New Dover Road between St Lawrence Road and the Old Gate Inn should be reduced.

It is currently a 40mph zone.

“There are issues with speeding,” explained the politician, who sits on both the city and county councils.

“It should be 30mph, as cars leaving the city think it is an open road towards the A2.”

Cllr Dawkins also believes a traffic island in New Dover Road - close to an alleyway leading to Old Dover Road - should be replaced with a new crossing.

The route is used by youngsters walking from bus stops and the nearby Barton estate to schools, including the Simon Langton Boys’ and Girls’ Grammars and St Anselm’s.

“I would like a pelican crossing as it would slow the cars down,” Cllr Dawkins continued.

“It would slow the cars down as they approach the city centre.

“It would have to be somewhere near the alleyway which leads to Old Dover Road in New Dover Road.”

A KCC spokesman says its officials recently met at the site of the fatality to “discuss improvements outlined” by police.

“Separately, we are aware there is also a missing streetlight and our team will arrange for this to be replaced as soon as possible,” he said.

“The current 40mph speed limit is appropriate for the road, and is clearly signed on the approach from Canterbury, so there are no plans to reduce the speed limit here.

“It is the responsibility of the police to enforce speed limits.”