Frustrated neighbours are calling for better signs to be put up after several cars were damaged by lorries getting stuck down their street.

Truckers have been straying down Fairview Drive in South Willesborough, Ashford, and causing significant damage as they try to turn around in the narrow lanes.

Ashford residents call for better signage

The problem has become so bad that one resident says she is even considering moving because of it.

Recently, a Peugeot van was almost written off when a HGV driver became stuck at the roundabout near Riverbank Way.

Neighbours gathered on their doorsteps to try and help the distressed trucker turn around and make his way back towards the A2070 Bad Munstereifel Road.

A Dacia Logan MCV belonging to Jesus Jimenez, 45, and Ramona Birovescu, 40, was also damaged before Christmas when another driver became lost.

“Our car has been fixed now but it’s something we think about every day,” Ms Birovescu said.

“When is it going to happen again? Around six families have told us it has happened to them too.”

There are signs at the end of Monument Way discouraging lorry drivers from taking the route however residents say they are not clear enough as they are often hidden by trees.

Ms Birovescu added: “How do you expect people driving big lorries to see the signs if we can’t see them?

“As they come round the bend they can see they shouldn’t be here but by then it’s too late.

“It’s not the driver’s fault, you can see they don’t feel good when they get stuck down here.”

One resident who has lived on the street for nine years says the lorries are becoming such a problem that she often parks her car further away to avoid it being damaged.

She added: “It was never a problem before the new facility (lorry park) opened in Sevington.

“They start coming about 9.30pm to 10pm almost every night, we can’t live with this.

“Every time it happens I report it to the council but nobody ever gets back to me.

“Some people get angry at the drivers but it’s not their fault.

“One of my neighbour’s brand-new car was dragged along the road one time and the driver had no idea.”

Rebecca Abbott, who has lived in the area for six years, says the recent incident has left her fearful her car could be next.

She added: "There is a lorry park just down the road for a reason, they shouldn't be coming down a residential street.

"It could happen to any of our cars and I think a lot of people worry next time it could be them.

"I think better signs are the only thing that will stop it."

"It could happen to any of our cars and I think a lot of people worry next time it could be them..."

Neighbour Ash Imran said: "I wasn't home when the van was hit but I know the majority of the street was outside trying to help.

"They all had to move their cars so the lorry driver could reverse out.

"It happens quite a lot because a lot of lorries park up by the car dealerships and then they end up coming down here thinking they can get out.

"The roundabout at the end is deadly because that's where they all try to turn around."

Ashford Borough Council deputy leader Cllr Paul Bartlett (Con) says the issue is caused by truckers struggling to find the Sevington Inland Border Facility (IBF) off the A2070 link road.

“Fairview Drive is just one additional area to Mersham and Sevington,” he said.

“I have even had reports from Little Burton Farm!

“The key message is to ask readers to report misdirected HGVs to complaints.sevingtonibf@hmrc.gov.uk and copy me in – paul.bartlett@ashford.gov.uk – so I know of reports.

“HMRC is keeping a log to support further signage on local roads.

“I am not sure the IBF (Inland Border Facility) is any busier than last year, but it is only a matter of time before it gets busier with food checks starting in July.”

From the summer, the IBF will be used as a ‘Border Control Post’ and Ashford Borough Council will become responsible for carrying out various checks on imports on behalf of the government.

Commenting on the Fairview Drive issues, a Kent County Council (KCC) spokesman said: “We are aware of the challenges for some residents and aware that the government has committed to resolving the ongoing issue of lorry drivers getting lost while attempting to locate Sevington.

“In addition Ashford Borough Council is urging affected residents to report incidents so it can build a case for further action by the Department for Transport and HMRC, as the latter took over responsibility for the Inland Border Facility on January 1.”