Hundreds of residents are calling for a 20mph speed limit to be introduced in an area blighted by car crashes.

The campaign has been launched by people living in Cliftonville, Margate, who are desperate to see the area made safer through speed restrictions and traffic calming measures.

Jon Bond set up the petition calling on the council to take action following a particularly shocking crash in Approach Road, where he lives with his wife and two sons.

The incident on January 22 saw a driver arrested after they reportedly crashed into five parked cars in the residential street, leaving vehicles smashed and debris scattered across the road.

Mr Bond says it is the latest in a long line of crashes in Cliftonville, many of which have led to serious injury.

In Canterbury Road on Wednesday night, a female pedestrian had to be airlifted to a London hospital after she was hit by a motorbike, while the rider also required treatment at the QEQM.

Mr Bond and fellow campaigners held a protest on Saturday and are calling for the speed limit to be lowered to 20mph across the area, in a bid to reduce the number of accidents.

Their petition to Kent County Council (KCC) and Thanet District Council has already gained the backing of more than 600 residents, and local councillors.

Mr Bond says Cliftonville Primary School and Avenues Nursery are also supporting the campaign.

He said: "There are regular serious traffic indents in our area. People are driving dangerously fast.

"For all our safety we need people to slow down.

"In the last two months there have been at least five incidents with multiple vehicles involved and at least one fatality.

"Without a reduction in speed in our area, and some form of traffic calming and/or enforcement, this will continue."

According to the air ambulance's online interactive map, the service has been called to five serious traffic collisions in Thanet already this year.

Mr Bond added: "Living in Cliftonville, we see vehicles of all kinds travelling well over the speed limit every day, the danger is palpable and it impacts all of us.

"The solution is simple. We ask the district and county council to provide the most effective means of slowing cars, vans and motorcycles down."

The campaign has been endorsed by Cliftonville West councillors Heath Keen, Alan Currie and Harry Scobie.

"I would welcome a Thanet-wide 20mph restriction..."

"We fully support this petition for the implementation of traffic calming measures in Approach Road and other roads in Thanet where motorists drive at unacceptable high speeds which endanger lives," they said.

Among hundreds of residents to sign the petition is Matt Shoul, who wrote: "This is a blatant matter of public safety on the streets of Thanet where property, life and limb are at risk from boy racers."

Beverley Eden added: "I live in Approach Road and it's becoming more dangerous every day."

One supporter said they had witnessed "terrible disregard for safety on the roads around Cliftonville", while another wrote: "I live here and want to be safe."

Others said they would like to see similar measures brought into effect elsewhere in Thanet.

"We look at a number of factors to find where 20mph zones will be most effective and suitable...."

Annemieke Hart wrote: "I am in the process of moving to Thanet, and am struck by the high driving speeds. Don't really feel safe as a pedestrian at all. I would welcome a Thanet-wide 20mph restriction."

Mr Bond urges people in other parts of the area to start their own campaigns for traffic calming measures.

"We’d encourage other parts Thanet to create their own petitions to show the council the clear need for drivers to slow down and drive safely in our towns and villages," he said.

"We’d also encourage Thanetians to create residents’ associations so they can have more of a voice when communicating with the council."

A KCC spokesperson said: “The safety of our roads is a top priority for KCC and we look at a number of factors to find where 20mph zones will be most effective and suitable.

“We would encourage residents to visit our website here, to find out how they can raise their concerns with us formally, and learn about the criteria that we need to fulfil in respect of introducing these measures.

“While we will explore all available options, it is important to point out that the enforcement of current speed limits is the responsibility of Kent Police, who can be contacted on 101 or 999 in an emergency.”

Visit the petition page by clicking here.