Nearly 30 drivers have been caught speeding this week after residents raised road safety concerns near Sittingbourne.

Officers from Kent Police’s Swale Community Safety Unit completed speed checks on Monday in the Danaway and Chestnut Street areas before returning two days later.

Eight vehicles were stopped in total on Monday and six people were reported for driving in excess of the 30mph limit.

Further checks were completed by police officers yesterday.

Of the 70 vehicles observed, 22 were exceeding the speed limit and therefore will be receiving warnings in the post, bringing the total from the two police checks up to 28.

Councillor Nicholas Hampshire (Con), who represents Borden and Grove Park, believes drivers using the road as "a rat-run" up to the Stockbury roundabout is part of the problem.

He says he has raised the issue with Borden Parish Council - which runs a speedwatch campaign - after residents raised concerns to him.

"I’m delighted that the message is being received loud and clear by the police and it is taking steps forward to address these concerns," he said. "I think that's really positive.

"But it’s down to the parish council and Swale Borough Council to look for a longer-term solution."

A £92million upgrade to the Stockbury roundabout was given the green light last year, which will see the existing roundabout replaced with a flyover, to provide free-flowing movement on the A249.

Mr Hampshire said: "I don't think it's been particularly helped with congestion to the Stockbury roundabout.

"Hopefully when the flyover gets built, the advantages of using the roads will not be there as much and, in the future, it may naturally decrease."

Sergeant Carli Deacon said: “Residents have noticed an increase in vehicles using this area to avoid congestion caused by roadworks on the A249.

“They were concerned about the number of motorists who appeared to be driving dangerously, and asked their local officers to take steps to improve safety for the elderly and children when crossing the road.

“Motorists should remember they have a responsibility to keep other road users safe.

“The enforcement this week should send a clear message to those who fail to slow down sufficiently, that the manner of their driving has consequences.”

Mr Hampshire added: "I think that (the number of speeding motorist caught this week) just goes to show how frequent an issue it is. Hopefully it will make people think about their speed along these roads a bit more."

Two additional motorists were given "words of advice" about the manner of their driving on Monday, too, and also were warned having failed to update their driving licence to show their current address.