A PILOT scheme aimed at slashing traffic speed across the North Downs has been scrapped after failing to win police support.

The stumbling block for the Boxley/Bredhurst initiative was a proposed speed limit reduction, which Kent Police claim would be too difficult to enforce. It would have reduced speeds on a number of roads within the Mid Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, from 60mph to 40mph.

Boxley residents have long campaigned for traffic calming measures to deal with motorists driving between Maidstone and the Medway towns.

Boxley Parish Council have now written to Kent Police chief constable Mike Fuller inviting him to their next meeting to explain why support for the scheme could not be given.

It followed the receipt of a letter read out at their last parish meeting, which confirmed Kent Police would not be giving its backing.

Parish chairman Cllr Bill Stead, said: "Speeding and rat running is an issue in the AONB and some roads have appalling accident records. The roads in the AONB were never meant or designed for the large amount of traffic and speed.

"The parish council has been successfully working in partnership with the police in supplying a police community support officer for the parish.

"It is extremely disappointing that they have dismissed even a pilot scheme to see if this could work. It has worked elsewhere in the country so why not at Boxley."

Kent County Council have confirmed it is working with the police and other partners on the Mid Kent Downs steering group to find an alternative solution.

A KCC spokesman said: "We have been in correspondence with the police and the parish council and the county council is continuing to explore ways of controlling traffic speeds on the Downs and in the Boxley and Bredhurst areas.

"Our aim is to come up with a traffic solution, which is acceptable to all concerns."