A detailed survey of road accidents in Maidstone is to be carried out as part of a campaign to make the borough's streets safer.

Kent County Council will produce a breakdown of where accidents have happened, the ages of people and the types of vehicles involved and whether pedestrians were also injured.

The results will be used to guide future road safety plans.

It is the result of an urgent road safety summit took place on Thursday between Maidstone council and KCC, prompted by shocking statistics which put Maidstone top of the county for serious accidents and fatalities.

Cllr Tony Harwood, cabinet member for the environment, said: "Maidstone council have sought over the last year to work more closely with KCC to improve local services – notably in the delivery of a new generation of park and ride services and recycling performance – and it is my belief that increasing road safety must be a priority focus of this more harmonious working relationship."

KCC representatives at the meeting said it is important to change the behaviour of motorists, and said police should also be involved in the road safety debate.

For a full report see Friday’s Kent Messenger.