One of the oldest pubs in Kent is being "beaten and bruised" by motorists treating a village high street as a "rat run", it is claimed.

The Darnley Arms in The Street, Cobham, is recorded as being built in the 12th century and, according to local folklore, was the preserve of monks who frequented via underground tunnels for a cheeky tipple.

But in recent months, treatment of the 825-year-old former coaching inn is said to be less than devout.

The stonework has been repeatedly scraped by motorists mounting the kerb and speeding through the narrow high street "like a race track".

The owners say a recent bout of bumps have chipped away at the historic building, flattening a boot scraper and causing internal damage.

Regulars are also being put at risk with some struck by car wing mirrors and others narrowly avoiding serious injury just metres from the boozer's main entrance.

"We have been hit three times now," said pub owner Trudie Mochrie who runs the family business.

She added: "One customer comes in on his mobility scooter. He has to come past the road and nearly got hit."

The landlady claims traffic on the main route through the village has got worse in recent years and the thud of traffic "makes the pub rock".

"The traffic has always been bad because of the A2. We are part of a rat run to pass through the village," she explained.

Temporary bollards were introduced by Kent County Council (KCC) opposite the pub in March as part of a trial scheme extending double yellow lines.

Road signs were also installed to warn drivers that they are entering a restricted width zone.

It aims to reduce the busy thoroughfare to a single file stretch, preventing oncoming vehicles from mounting the pavement opposite.

But the pub owner claims this has resulted in some vehicles mounting the pavement outside the pub.

Mrs Mochrie said: "We have spoken to the parish council and sent emails to KCC asking them to do something.

"It is just ludicrous, someone is going to get seriously injured."

Fellow villager Vicky Goodin co-runs the Cobham Traffic Diary, which aims to provide a place for locals to log incidents online.

Photos circulated on the group show the impact of gridlock traffic through the village at busy periods, with heavy goods vehicles and even buses perched dangerously close to shop fronts.

"We have tried to document everything," said the 47-year-old company director.

"One woman tried to come out her front door and couldn't because there was a double decker bus in her face."

Mrs Goodin, who runs a security equipment wholesaler in Gravesend, has also been affected personally.

She has reported three separate incidents of drivers ploughing through her front garden at the end of the High Street in the middle of the night.

The most recent crash occurred at around 4.45am on Friday, August 6, off the mini roundabout.

Police attended the scene where the car was recovered and inquiries completed to find the driver who had left the scene.

"People keep using it as a drive-through," said the company boss. "They speed through because the roundabout is not well lit.

"The car literally ended up two metres from the living room."

The hamlet saw an influx of visitors during lockdown looking to access nearby Jeskyns Park.

This led to parking problems and Mrs Goodin fears the recent surge in activity could soon get worse as a result of the plans for the Lower Thames Crossing.

She said: "We have had so many incidents in the last few weeks, people have really had enough.

"We just feel like we are being bashed."

The resident wants to see greater traffic calming measures introduced or access to the village restricted in certain parts with priority given to local businesses.

KCC spokesman Ellis Stephenson said: “Following concerns raised by Cobham Parish Council regarding vehicles mounting the pavement in The Street, officers have introduced bollards and double yellow lines.

“A consultation on the double yellow lines is now open and people are being asked to submit their views.

“Road safety is a top priority for KCC and officers continue to discuss and investigate the concerns of those working and living in the area.”

Residents without internet access who want to respond to the consultation can write to The TRO Co-ordinator, Schemes Planning and Delivery Team, Highways, Transportation & Waste, Kent County Council, Ashford Highway Depot, Henwood Industrial Estate, Javelin Way, Ashford, TN24 8AD.

Responses must be submitted by midday on September 13. To have your say online click here.

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