Residents are calling for action to prevent children climbing a fence on a busy dual carriageway "before someone is killed".

Campaigners say pupils are having to risk their lives to get to school in Canterbury, by hopping over a barrier on Rheims Way to access Toddlers Cove.

The ‘Baby Tree to the Bull’ group are proposing removing part of the fence and opening up a path leading from the baby tree carving in Victoria rec to the bull sculpture in Tannery Field to improve safety.

City councillor Pip Hazelton, who is backing the campaign, says the changes are desperately needed.

“Watching the schoolchildren climb over the barrier as it is now is like watching lemmings in action," the Labour member said.

“The truth is they already use a rudimentary path to avoid Rheims Way, where possible, so the demand clearly is there.

“Just a few weeks ago, a lorry and a young woman were involved in an accident on the dual carriageway.

“People are risking their lives on Rheims Way and we can’t wait around for a child to be killed before we take decisive action.”

The proposal would see a section of barrier along Rheims Way removed and ramps leading down to Toddlers Cove installed, linking the Wincheap and London Road estates.

The route is already informally used by schoolchildren, and Cllr Hazelton says with extra homes being built in Wincheap with no plans for a new secondary school, more children will find themselves taking it.

The leader of the campaign group, David Ewens, is calling on Kent County Council to visit the site as he fears there is a high likelihood of cyclists and children who use the path getting hurt.

The keen cyclist said: “We feel KCC should come down here and try riding a bike along this bit of path. It’s incredibly dangerous and there’s a much better alternative.

“It has the potential to be such a lovely ride, but right now there is not the room to make way for cyclists and pedestrians.

"It's about citizen action - small traffic changes for maximum benefit, help for cyclists and walkers, and attention to the sometimes neglected communities of Wincheap and the London Road Estate.”

The barrier along Rheims Way that would need to be removed comes under KCC jurisdiction, while Toddlers Cove is the responsibility of Canterbury City Council.

The group says it would require a joint effort from both authorities, with their help, a better city is possible.

Mike Blamires, the group's videographer, says the change is not just about road safety, but also protecting people from Canterbury’s pollution.

“Canterbury suffers from really poor air quality, and has done for many years," he said.

"Other schemes such as e-scooters have come and gone in an attempt to tackle it.

“And now, we’re seeing other parts of the country attribute air pollution to the deaths of children, such as nine-year-old Ella Kissi-Debrah from South London.

“This isn’t an issue we can afford to ignore."

An artist's impression of the project shows steps leading up to Rheims Way from Toddlers Cove, along with a ramp leading down towards the river.

The campaigners say that while they believe this to be a small and inexpensive way to tackle the issue, they are open to discussion.

“We don’t want to be stubborn, it’s not about us and this doesn’t have to be a definitive solution,” said Mr Blamires.

“We would welcome any positive or constructive engagement with open arms, and of course we are welcome to ideas.

“But the infrastructure of the city isn’t fit for purpose, and we know we can do something small for Canterbury that could make a big difference."

The group says the next step is to launch a petition as it ramps up its social media presence, and that support can be given in multiple ways.

Mr Ewens said: “We have a Facebook page, which is called From The Baby Tree To The Bull, where people can contact us.

“Alternatively, people can email us at babytreetothebull@gmail.com or even get in touch with Pip Hazelton.

“It’s just vital to us that we can conjure up as much support as possible, because for us it seems such a simple choice that could bring peace, cleaner air and safe paths to hundreds.”

A spokesman for Canterbury City Council said: "We are currently out to public consultation on our draft cycling and walking implementation plan and would encourage the people behind this proposal to submit their ideas so that we can consider them as part of that process.

"All the information needed to do this can be found on our website at news.canterbury.gov.uk/consultations."