Video footage of a near-miss on a busy stretch of road has fuelled further debate over controversial plans for a town-wide 20mph speed limit.

The short clip is taken from helmet footage filmed by a cyclist while riding along the A225 Dartford Road near Sevenoaks High Street.

It shows a stream of cars overtaking the rider near the town's war memorial before a junction.

A vehicle then edges out into the busy lane of traffic causing others to brake sharply and sound their horns before an SUV accelerates around them.

Lib Dem town councillor for Sevenoaks Thomas Carlo Morris Brown, who posted the footage online, believes it underlines why speed restrictions and other changes are needed.

The keen cyclist said more needed to be done to "create an environment" not only safe for cyclists and walkers but to encourage a shift away from cars.

Kent County Council (KCC) is consulting on plans to introduce speed restrictions across various roads in Sevenoaks including Dartford Road.

It forms part of proposals to introduce a town-wide 20mph speed limit and improve public access to areas such as the war monument.

A plan was submitted by KCC back in spring 2021 after it was requested by council member Richard Streatfield (Lib Dem) and backed by 1,800 signatures on a resident-led petition.

But the proposal faces a number of hurdles before it becomes policy.

On Monday, KCC presented these plans to Sevenoaks Town Council's planning committee which met to discuss and agree a response.

But during the public meeting, both Cllr Nicholas Busvine (Con) and Andrew Eyre (Con) expressed hesitation to support the scheme in its entirety.

Cllr Busvine said: "I am very concerned about plonking a blanket set of rules on the entire town that actually quite a lot of residents won't like and won't necessarily subscribe to."

He added he had no issue with 20mph zones where local residents want them such as outside local schools.

But he said such decisions should be "resident-led" and considered area by area as per the safety considerations that apply.

Cllr Andrew Eyre (Con) agreed, rejecting the idea as a "top-down" pan-Sevenoaks zone and said they should only be introduced "where residents' groups request them".

Concerns were also raised about potential unseen costs that may arise should particular roads in the 20mph zone prove less self-enforcing than others.

But Cllr Richard Streatfield told the committee that the district council's joint transportation board (JTB) may decide to remove unpopular roads or measures from the scheme after the consultation exercise.

He stated that the scheme had been submitted in its largest possible form, because while roads could be removed, the addition of new roads would require a second consultation.

After the meeting Cllr Morris Brown told KentOnline: "I think the arguments the Conservatives made essentially boil down to we shouldn't be telling people what to do.

"This is not about telling people what to do and actually there is compelling evidence in favour of this and a great deal of support."

Other traffic calming measures included at Dartford Road and The Vine were also discussed.

This would include a new southbound cycleway, a one-way southbound route in Dartford Road and alterations to turning movements from The Vine onto Dartford Road.

There would also be a new footway build-out at The War Memorial site to improve pedestrian access.

But Sevenoaks resident David Ploughman, who has lived on The Vine for the past 10 years with his wife and young children, told the committee he was "firmly" against this redesign.

"Like all the residents I have spoken to we believe the roads work pretty well," he said. "To date we have not had problems crossing the road to access the cricket pitch and war memorial.

"The proposals that have been put forward while undoubtedly well intentioned will make life much more hazardous for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers alike. I am therefore firmly against their implementation.

Mr Ploughman pointed out the route is routinely used by articulated lorries with large turning circles.

He argues the junction will become a "nightmare to negotiate" and will increase traffic flow which would make it "monstrously perilous".

"For cyclists this mini bike lane to nowhere will not help them on their journeys," he added. "There are far steeper gradients and narrower roads in Sevenoaks.

"The Dartford road is wide enough and has sufficient visibility for vehicles to pass easily without the need for a mini bike lane to nowhere."

However, Cllr Claire Shea (Lib Dem), who supported the proposals, believes it will make it more accessible.

"I think connecting the war memorial back to the The Vine is of merit," she said.

"For me the place-making between the war memorial and the cricket ground should be welcomed and I think it would be an improvement and a step forward."

Kent County Council previously introduced 20mphs zones in Faversham and Tonbridge on the understanding that with traffic going slower, people would be more willing to walk or cycle.

But many thought the limits would cause additional congestion and safety issues.

Most people also disagreed that the 20mph limits would make Tonbridge healthier (64%), safer (56%) or cleaner (63%).

It was introduced in September 2020, with the council using an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order to allow the scheme to run for 18 months without the usual degree of consultation in advance.

The consultation on the Sevenoaks scheme closes on Thursday, November 10. Click here to find out more details.

Following its conclusion a report will be compiled summarising the responses and reported to the Sevenoaks council JTB next month.