A busy high street could have its speed limit slashed after years of campaigning.

Part of Sandgate High Street on the A259 near Folkestone could be changed from a 30mph limit to 20mph.

It comes after years of campaigning from residents and Sandgate Parish Council (SPC), which included the creation of a petition last year calling for the A259 Sandgate Hill, Sandgate High Street and Sandgate Esplanade to be set at 20mph.

SPC chair Cllr Tim Prater (Lib Dem) says it obtained more than 600 signatures and is delighted Kent County Council (KCC) highways bosses are working with the parish council to make the change.

It is understood the permitted area for the speed change would be between the pedestrian island between the junction with Military Road and the road that leads to Saga, up to where the current 30mph roundel with red patching is, just to the west of the eastern junction with Wilberforce Road.

However, it is understood that the initiative has to be funded by the parish council.

“There is loads still to do, but we've already started,” Cllr Prater said.

“The scheme will have to be locally funded, KCC won’t pay, so we need to get it fully designed, cost and find the money: I'm already plotting on that.”

He added there is still more to do to make Sandgate Esplanade – which is the road that seven-year-old William Brown was tragically killed on in a hit-and-run – safer.

There is no suggestion speed was a factor in the tragedy – but SPC was keen to campaign to reduce the 30mph limit on the route.

“It's also absolutely not everything we have called for,” Cllr Prater added.

“There needs to be a lower limit on the Esplanade too in my view, and better enforcement throughout.

“However, if we can successfully implement and prove this scheme [in Sandgate High Street] helps, then we will take it from there.

“Sandgate Speedwatch is already doing multiple sessions each week reminding drivers of the current limits and that they are there for a reason.”

“It's already good to see the speed camera there, which has been out of commission for way too long, has been replaced and the required lineage repainted,” he said.

A spokesperson from KCC added: "KCC is working closely with Sandgate Parish Council and other official bodies, including Kent Police to investigate the feasibility of a 20mph limit being introduced on Sandgate High Street.

“Sandgate Esplanade is also under investigation by multiple agencies, including KCC, to find out if, and what highway improvements are feasible here.

'We are unable to advise of timescales at this stage and any new speed limits will be subject to the statutory consultation process."