Reckless boy racers are leaving some residents too scared to walk through town, councillors warn.

Plans are underway to install a huge 20mph zone in Herne Bay, between Central Parade and the railway line, in a bid to slow down speeding cars.

Those championing the changes – which would come into force on every route to the east of Sea Street and west of Canterbury Road – believe they will make routes "safer, cleaner and greener".

And county councillor Dan Watkins claims some residents even decide to drive short distances for fear of stepping on the pavement.

“I think some people are worried about being on the pavement or cycling because of the speeding issues on those roads – they’re worried about being in an accident,” the Conservative explained.

“There are lots of people who are concerned to the extent it makes them think twice about walking, and opt to drive instead.

“I’ve heard stories about people who see someone driving inconsiderately getting shouted at when they approach them.

“We need to do more to try to reduce speeds on our streets and make people feel safer.”

Cllr Watkins says he is inundated “every week” with messages from disgruntled locals, whose “number-one concern” is the town’s boy-racer problem.

Among the routes said to be most affected by the scourge is Station Road.

KentOnline reported in June that residents from retirement complex Oakland Court are so scared to cross the road they ask the building’s manager, Chris Coshall, to take their letters to the post box on their behalf.

“I’ve been out to umpteen crashes there – it’s horrific,” Ms Coshall said.

“The owner of a shop nearby could see near-misses at that junction almost hourly.

“When you’re trying to cross, cars come down at such a rate of knots.

“It’s frightening crossing that road. How somebody hasn’t been killed, I don’t know.”

Residents are set to be consulted on Kent County Council's bid to cut speed limits – expected to cost £100,000 – across the Bay sometime over the next two months.

Provided locals support the scheme, Cllr Watkins believes the changes will be rolled out across two phases, with the first completed early next year.

Cllr Watkins raised concerns last year

It will be partly subsidised with money from the government’s Active Travel Fund – which awarded KCC £100,000 to pedestrianise part of Central Parade and install a cycle route between the seafront and railway station.

However, cash for the rest of the project has not yet been secured.

“It may not all be done in one go, but we’d ultimately get everything done in stages,” Cllr Watkins added.

“I would like to think the first stage would be rolled out in the first quarter of next year, but the second phase will be linked to securing additional funding.

“We do need this expanded 20mph zone. It’ll mean our roads will be safer, cleaner and greener.”