Drivers have got the hump with new traffic calming measures which they say are overkill and damaging their cars.

The issue has become a hot topic in Faversham, which has recently introduced a blanket town-wide 20mph scheme.

But the newly-installed Kent County Council (KCC) speed bumps, especially in Lower Road and Wallers Road, are said to be “more like Snowdonia”.

It's absolute overkill,” says resident Meryl Butler.

“Months of work and mess for residents, and creating damage and danger for motorists.”

HGV driver Jeff Foreman also complains the stretch is dangerous and has lodged a complaint with the highway authority about the hump at the end of Wallers Road.

“It’s too steep, doesn't go onto level ground, and is too close to the give way/stop line,” he says.

“I told them that it was dangerous for cyclists/motorcyclist, as you're trying to pull out, turn, and negotiate a double ramp at the same time.”

Numerous others have spoken out about the perceived problem, including on Faversham Residents Group Facebook page.

Natasha Manning who lives in Grove Place and runs Acorn Carriage Hire, said: “I have a standard VW Golf and no matter how slow I go, it scrapes the front valance.”

“I thought that speed ramps had to be a certain height and degrees but I will admit these are like Snowdonia,” says Michael Cumming.

Stacey Fisher adds: “After months of queuing to get out because of roadworks or traffic lights, I can’t understand what the hell it was all for. It’s pathetic.

“If I forget something, I would rather not have it all day, than drive back down that road and have the car damaged.

“Pretty sure all the money this has cost could have been used for much better causes around Faversham.”

But a KCC spokesman accused those of complaining of “driving too fast”.

"Works on the new speed ramps on Lower Road, Faversham, started in September 2024, and were completed in October,” they said.

“These were installed following reports of vehicles speeding along the road.

“Resident feedback so far has been generally positive, although there have been some complaints, which we have attributed to motorists driving over the ramps at excessive speed."

Trevor Fentiman also defends the traffic calming measures.

“At least it’s no longer a race track,” he says.

“If you don’t go over them too fast, you don’t scrape the bottom of the car.

“But I still see people going too quickly over them and sparks fling off from underneath.

“It’s been 20mph for ages, but when I have been doing 20m, people have raced past me.”

And Cllr Julian Saunders, who is vice chairman of Faversham’s Active Travel Committee, which promotes walking and cycling, says the speed bumps are doing exactly what they were designed to do and slow down traffic.

“They have been designed by KCC Highways, who are the experts, and should not be a problem if vehicles aren’t going over 20mph,” he said.

“Previously, we have had complaints about speeding in Lower Road, which, because of its width, encouraged faster traffic.

“But it’s clear the work carried out so far has slowed vehicles and created a far more pedestrian-friendly environment.”

The row flared up as work on creating a safe cross-town walking route, including a new crossing, is said to be creating a safer journeys for pedestrians.

The scheme includes widened pavements, informal crossing points, road anti-speed cushions and narrower junctions - all to complement the new 20mph town speed zones.

It is being funded with a £900,000 Active Travel England grant and contractors for KCC are pressing on with the work.

One of the most significant elements is the new zebra crossing in South Road, which residents have welcomed.

Now contractors are turning their attention to the next phase, which involves further road junction safety improvements along Cross Lane and Gatefield Lane through to Faversham Recreation Ground.

In a survey, some residents have questioned the work’s high cost but officials say the government funding was granted specifically for the Cross Town Walking Path project and not available for KCC to spend on other highways work.

Chair of the town council’s Active Travel Committee, Cllr Claire Martin, says the council supported the funding bid because it is committed to making the streets safer and more enjoyable for pedestrians.

“We also want to encourage compliance with the town-wide 20mph scheme which residents gave overwhelming support to in a public consultation back in 2021,” she said.

“Lower Road was one of the few roads in Faversham where KCC remained concerned about vehicle speeds, so it is good to see work going on to reduce speeds.

“It’s also exciting to see a new zebra crossing on South Road at a location where residents have been keen to see improvements.”