A 20mph zone could be put in place along the A2 through Faversham in a bid to tackle air pollution.

The speed restriction would begin at Canterbury Road near Love Lane and carry on until between Ospringe Street and the Western Link roundabout.

It is hoped that by reducing vehicle acceleration, the measure, due to be put to Swale Council’s Joint Transportation Board in June, would help bring down levels of nitrogen dioxide, a toxic gas linked to lung problems, in Ospringe.

Council figures show that of the 10 NO2 monitoring points along Ospringe Street and London Road, not one has recorded a monthly average in 2018 below government limits of 40 micrograms per cubic metre.

However, residents say a speed restriction will make little difference and that there is political impasse over high levels of pollution, which would increase as hundreds of houses are built along the A2.

Polly Radcliffe, who lives in Ospringe Street, said: “[A 20mph limit] possibly would stop people accelerating, but I don’t think it would reduce the emissions.

"What it would do is make it slightly safer to walk and it would make it slightly less noisy.

“I think the public health of people who live in Ospringe Street should be prioritised.

"And in order to do that they need to get the most polluting vehicles off the roads. They can only do that by building infrastructure.

“It’s a political choice whether you create infrastructure.

"There’s a legal duty to safeguard public health. It’s not just a matter of allowing developers to lead.”

At a recent meeting of Ospringe residents, Swale’s environmental protection team leader, Steve Wilock, revealed that although cars account for 70% of traffic in Ospringe Street, a fifth of pollution is caused by 3% of the oldest HGVs.

Mr Wilcock also said pollution levels were likely go down “by doing nothing” within the next three to four years as the use of newer, cleaner vehicles increases, a claim which was met with disdain.

“Actually, they have done nothing and the emissions have been gradually rising,” Ms Radcliffe continued.

“It’s just extreme complacency.”

Speaking at the meeting, Cllr David Simmons (Con) said Faversham Town Council has been pushing for a link between Brogdale Road and the A251 and a new junction at the A2/A251 to relieve pressure on the A2 as housing developments at Perry Court and Brogdale Road begin.

He said: “I’m not sure that 20 mph will do an awful amount for air pollution.

“Certainly 20mph will be good for road safety. Whether it will have any impact on air quality is more doubtful, but I would like to see it done.

“We have got to remember that in a very short while, the A2 is going to be going through the middle of Faversham.”

Mr Simmons also said he was keen to see plans for a clean air zone included in Swale’s next local plan.

The town council recently passed a motion supporting an Ospringe bypass and an additional motorway junction (5a) near Sittingbourne.

Cllr Ted Wilcox (Con) said: “We have got to consider everything that’s possible. But the reality is that there’s too much traffic there.

“There’s a very ‘what can we get away with’ attitude all around.

"There’s no solution other than a congestion zone in Ospringe but that simply wouldn’t work. I think the biggest issue is the cost of doing anything.”