Dozens of concerned residents are campaigning to lower the speed limit on rural roads in Hildenborough.

Hildenborough Parish Council has received over 30 letters and a petition signed by more than a 100 people pushing for the speed limit on "rat runs" in the area to be reduced from 60mph.

A 'silent walk' has been held in the village in a bid to gather support.

It was run campaign group, Rural Resistance – Reclaim the Lanes, set up to encourage the government to introduce lower speed limits in rural areas from 60mph to 40 or 30.

Those campaigning claim some of the worst roads in the area include Rings Hill by Hildenborough Station and Leigh Road.

A Rural Resistance spokesman, who is also a cyclist and runner said: “Lower speed limits have worked successfully in cities like London and Bristol, but rural road safety has to extend to rural areas too.

"It is wrong that dangerous drivers and high speed limits are putting off people using the countryside, and affecting businesses.

"Wide vehicles that take up most of the lane are a real menace to horses and riders. It is also extraordinary that if a horse gets killed by a reckless motorist, this is not reported on the stats, yet many horses are dying on the roads, and it is particularly rife in the New Forest. It is time we reclaimed the lanes."

Council chairman Mike Dobson said members have supported the push for lower speed limits and will continue to do so until results are seen.

He added: "The parish council has been pursuing road improvements for years.

"What I suggest now is that more and more people send individual letters to Kent County Council (KCC) as this will have a bigger impact than one single letter from the parish council.

"There are a lot of roads in Hildenborough where the speed limit should be lower.

"The council is very much aware of the issue and has been trying to do something. "

Ed Morrow, campaigns officer for road safety charity Brake, said staff constantly hear from people in rural areas whose communities are "blighted" by fast traffic.

He added: "Excessive speed on country roads not only puts people’s lives at risk, it also stops them from enjoying the countryside without fear, whether it be on foot, bike, or horseback.

"Country roads are shared, living, unpredictable environments, not just thoroughfares for traffic, which is why 60mph is just too fast for safety.

"Brake believes 50 should be the maximum speed limit on country roads, with more 40 and 30 limits where there are particular risks – so we are happy to back the ‘reclaim the lanes’ campaign.”

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