A 50mph limit and average speed cameras would save lives on the Sheppey Crossing, claim councillors.

Members of the Swale Joint Transportation Board tonight voted in favour of a motion to request the measures at meeting with the Highways Agency in the coming weeks.

Peter MacDonald, of Minster Parish Council, claimed lowering the limit to 50 mph would increase the travel time by 16 seconds.

He said average speed cameras were needed although they would be more expensive.

He said: "I think we ought to be extremely hard on the Department for Transport because I think they have been negligent quite frankly."

A letter from Pat Sandle, who put forward the discussions but could not attend the meeting for an urgent family matter, was read out.

It said reducing the speed limit and introducing speed cameras, "would not cost millions and could save many lives."

The call comes a week after the anniversary of Britain's biggest pile-up which happened on the crossing in thick fog.

No one was killed in the crash, despite some 150 vehicles being involved.

There was some opposition to calls for speed limits including from Cllr Angela Harrison who said it was "50/50" between people who do not want to see a reduction and those that do.

Cllr Roger Truelove called for the board to wait until a report can be carried out on the bridge before deciding what action is needed.