Menace delivery drivers are leaving shoppers fearing for their safety as they ignore no-entry signs and drive along a pedestrian-only high street and through alleyways.

In video obtained exclusively by KentOnline, couriers in Dartford are seen flouting the rules of the road, driving across the paved area between shops and using alleys as a cut-through.

Resident Matt Hammond is concerned lives are being put at risk by their behaviour and believes it will take a serious accident before the riders finally stop.

"I feel that at some stage there will be a fatal collision, if a young child runs from a shop," he said. "On several occasions I have turned and been confronted with a vehicle on what is effectively a pavement."

Mr Hammond, of Lowfield Street, regularly walks his dog through the town and said he has complained to Dartford council more than 100 times in the past two years about the nuisance drivers.

He said the situation had got worse since lockdown. "The rise in delivery drivers has put the safety of Dartford residents at risk," he added.

"The town is being over-run, with the couriers using it as a short cut. They even ride or drive the wrong way down one-way streets.

"Dartford town centre is a pedestrian-only area at all times. There is a window for trade but, other than that, no vehicles are allowed."

A Dartford council spokesman said the authority is working hard to stamp out the problem.

“While everyone in the town centre benefits from the convenience delivery drivers offer, it’s important that they travel around the town safely," he said.

“Drivers position themselves close to businesses so that they’re ready for their next delivery. The council’s enforcement officers can and do move on drivers who are not with their vehicle or are not moving on in good time.

"We need to work with the drivers to make sure they’re serving the town in a way that keeps pedestrians safe.”

"I began raising the problem two years ago as I fear for the safety of my children when they are walking in Dartford on what should be safe pedestrian areas and walkways..."

However, the council said drivers committing offences while moving cannot be dealt with by the council as that is an issue for the police.

A police spokesman said: "We are aware of local concerns and are working closely with Dartford council to implement measures to help resolve the issue."

Mr Hammond, who has two teenage children, added: "I began raising the problem two years ago as I fear for the safety of my children when they are walking in Dartford on what should be safe pedestrian areas and walkways."

He said the issue was most prevalent when parking wardens were not around, at weekends and in the evenings.

"Outside McDonald's is particularly bad as they all park on the pavement," he said.

The council is proposing to erect bollards at the entrance to the High Street to stamp out the problem.

“As part of our works to improve the town centre, we are planning to install bollards at several points of entry to keep pedestrians safe," a council spokesman said.

"We are looking very carefully at their final design and operation because we want to make sure they fit in with the way people use the town centre and the needs of our traders.

"No final decision has been made yet because these details are important and we want to get it right.”

But Mr Hammond fears this will not stop the mopeds.

"It's the fast food restaurants and delivery companies that need to take responsibility. The council is trying but it seems to not get anywhere fast..."

"The bollards will stop the cars but not the bikes. The bikes will still be able to get through as they have to leave gaps for disabled access."

He is demanding courier companies clamp down on their drivers.

"It's the fast food restaurants and delivery companies that need to take responsibility. The council is trying but it seems to not get anywhere fast."

KentOnline approached three of the largest delivery firms – Just Eat, Uber Eats and Deliveroo for a comment.

Just Eat told us the situation in Dartford was complicated as it does not use its own couriers but uses a third-party to supply its drivers. Uber Eats and Deliveroo failed to comment.

Shoppers in Canterbury faced a similar situation two years ago when Liberal Democrat councillor Michael Dixey drew up proposals to put an end to the couriers he described as, "bombing through the high street".

He urged the City Council to write to the delivery firms to stop their drivers ignoring the rules and to tighten its regulations concerning bike-riding on pavements.

He also wanted couriers to be required to carry “clear identification” to ensure offenders could be fined or hauled in front of magistrates.

However, two years later, Cllr Dixey said nothing has changed. "I brought it to council but they weren't interested. It is still going on, probably up and down the country too. They drive very fast and it is very intimidating."