Worried residents living in a tourist hotspot want yellow lines to be painted near a busy A-road junction, claiming it would “save lives”.

Cars are currently allowed to park with no restrictions at the corner of Wraightsfield Avenue and the A259 in Dymchurch on Romney Marsh.

But people living in the seaside village, which is home to one of Kent’s most popular sandy beaches, say near-misses are a common occurrence.

Graham Merry, 67, told KentOnline: “When the roads are very busy, the traffic builds up on the A259 because the parked cars stop people from being able to turn into the road.

“We have many visitors come to Dymchurch so they will take any parking space that’s available.

“There is a play park nearby and a school, so we also get a lot of children walking near the junction.

“The yellow lines would save lives. It’s only a matter of time before someone is hit near the junction.”

Dennis Beer has lived in Dymchurch for the past 20 years and says the parked cars are an “accident waiting to happen”.

“There is a hedge right before the turning into Wraightsfield Avenue which causes a blind spot,” he said.

“The parked car means people pulling out onto the junction are forced to drive on the wrong side of the road.

“We constantly see two vehicles go head-on. It’s pure luck we haven’t had a bad accident here.”

The residents first raised concerns with Kent County Council two years ago and are being supported by district councillor Tony Cooper.

The Labour representative expressed his concerns over the “dangerous parking” at a Folkestone and Hythe District Council meeting last week.

He told KentOnline: "Let's hope the county council can do something sooner rather than later.

“Increasing the £25,000 set aside in the budget for the whole of the district for these type of things would do for a start - especially considering the amount of council tax residents pay".

In response, cabinet member Cllr Polly Blakemore (Green) told the full council meeting: “Waiting restrictions outside controlled parking zones are matters for Kent County Council.

“The request for yellow lines has been passed to them to consider.”

Cllr Blakemore added in a response to a further question from Cllr Cooper that this would be put on the agenda for the next Joint Transportation Board meeting.

A KCC spokesperson said: "KCC is aware of the request and is in communication with Dymchurch Parish Council."