Villagers are calling for more action to deter lorries from clogging up unsuitable B roads after learning just 12 penalty notices were issued in the last year.

Residents claim the problem of HGVs trundling through Leeds is much bigger than the number of £50 fines would indicate.

The limit is 17 tonnes, except for access. The road through Leeds is a key route to getting on and off the M20, but despite being busy the road isn’t suitable for all vehicles.

Kristina Curtis spoke to local people about the problem

Signs around the village clearly show that lorries more than 17 tonnes aren’t allowed to use the B road, except for access, but residents say restrictions are frequently ignored.

Cllr Bob China, vice chairman at Leeds Parish Council, said: “The road gets blocked, the road gets polluted, tempers get frayed, anything else that goes with large vehicles trying to use a road that was never designed to take them.

“The majority of the houses in Leeds are on the road so they get the full force of the traffic, the noise, the pollution and the vibration and house prices must suffer for that.”

Cllr Gary Cooke from Kent County Council added: “It’s not designed for heavy goods vehicles and the HGVs are really not supposed to come down here although there is provision for them for access.”

"The road gets blocked, the road gets polluted, tempers get frayed..." Cllr Bob China

In the past year, Kent police have issued 12 penalty notices for £50 where vehicles have breached the weight limit, but the community, many who participate in lorry watches, say more needs to be done.

Cllr China said: “They’re breaking the law. And if they’re breaking the law and getting away with it then they’re going to keep on doing it.”

Cllr Cooke said: “Our residents report the lorries and nothing happens.

“The police have other priorities, I would like to see the highways authorities and Kent County Council given powers to stop and enforce and provide on the spot fines to lorries who are infringing.”

Maidstone district commander, Chief Inspector Ray Quiller said: “Kent Police is aware of residents’ concerns about lorries which exceed the local weight limit through Leeds and Langley.

“In the last 12 months, our patrols have issued 12 penalty notices for £50 where vehicles have contravened the weight limit. A further driver was reported for summons. My officers will continue to deal with any offences they see while on patrol in line with their regular duties including emergency calls.

“Since March, 1 2018, our control room received one report of a lorry causing an obstruction in the villages. I would remind residents that they can assist my officers and other agencies by taking down details of prohibited vehicles and reporting the details on 101 or to the local Police Community Support Officer.

"My officers will continue to deal with any offences they see while on patrol in line with their regular duties including emergency calls..." Chief inspector Ray Quiller

“We continue to work with our partners in Kent County Council and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency regarding ongoing enforcement. This includes the need for clear signage and liaison with freight companies so that drivers are informed of the correct routes to take through the area.”

But the despair over the traffic disruptions in the village all seem to lead back to one ongoing issue - the relief road

Cllr Cooke said: “There’s only one long term solution and that’s to provide an alternative route for these HGVs and to get some of the through traffic off the road, that brings us back to a relief road which wouldn’t just be a relief for Leeds village, it needs to be a relief for the whole south east of Maidstone."

Cllr China added: “You put a relief road through here and Leeds will go back to being a typical Kent village.”

Read more: All the latest news from Maidstone