Almost 1,300 homeowners have signed a petition against plans to lower a weight restriction – not in their area but in a neighbouring village.

People who live on Willington Street and nearby have joined a campaign to stop a proposed 7.5-tonne limit from being imposed in Leeds.

Objectors are concerned the overweight lorries would use their road as a diversion if the enforcement went ahead. They have called for the possibility of a Leeds-Langley bypass to be readdressed.

The document of opposing signatures was presented to Maidstone council’s Joint Transport Board on Wednesday.

Jenny Sutton, of Willington Place, spoke on behalf of the campaigners.

She said: “We must all share the load and stand together for a new, dedicated road to remove all through traffic and HGVs from our residential areas, our homes.

“All confirm their wish for relief, for a quieter, less fuel filled environment, to be able to open windows and doors in the heat, to access and use their drives and roads as they were originally intended.”

“We must all share the load and stand together for a new, dedicated road to remove all through traffic and HGVs from our residential areas, our homes" - Jenny Sutton

This is not the first time the two communities have clashed over the suggestion of a lower weight limit in Leeds. Mrs Sutton spearheaded a similar petition in 2012.

People in Leeds called for the current 17.5 tonne restriction to be lowered after a huge hole appeared just inches below the surface in Lower Street in November, closing the village for six months.

Motorists were diverted through Willington Street, and it then needed to be closed for repairs as a result. It reopened on Sunday after six weeks of works. The final stage will be completed during next year’s Easter holidays.

Members of Leeds parish council argue their route is too narrow and has at least two fixed points where traffic is restricted to only one vehicle at a time.

A public consultation for the proposal has now closed.