A councillor fears someone will be killed if nothing is done to slow down drivers on a road near two schools.

Swale councillor, James Hall (Ind), has been campaigning for the last four years to extend the 30mph stretch and introduce a zebra crossing on Tonge Road in Murston, Sittingbourne.

He said: "Children have to cross it while cars are zooming past and there is no zebra crossing or clear road signs.

"I've asked KCC to relocate the national speed limit sign just 30 metres down the road, away from this pedestrian crossing, which I am also trying to get marked up as a zebra crossing."

On the opposite side of the national speed limit sign is a 30mph sign. It is positioned so drivers can begin to slow down as they enter Murston from Tonge Road.

Cllr Hall hopes that if this is moved, drivers won't speed up as early as they leave the village.

The crossing is a key route for many people walking from Great Easthall estates to nearby schools such as Lansdowne Primary School.

He continued: "I want this crossing to remain safe for children.

"When you come here during the school rush you can see parents and children finding it difficult to get across the road."

Cllr Hall has asked the council to not only move the national speed limit sign, which is currently allowing motorists to drive at 60mph, but also paint a zebra crossing and trim hedges that obstruct people's vision.

However, he has claimed after quoting the work at £2,500 council officers have said they were unable to spend the money on the work.

He added: "KCC have to spend the money on this.

"I'm not allowed to do it out of my Swale council funding, so I'm appealing to KCC to find a way of trying to help the community, especially the children crossing the road.

"A young child was killed here many years ago.

"It's vitally important that we don't allow a fatality or any injuries to any children going to school in the morning.

"The sign shouldn't be here at a children's crossing."

Paul Adams has lived along Tonge Road his whole life. The 70-year-old said: "I remember in the 60s a kid was killed down there, another child was killed in the 70s as well if I remember correctly.

"There was also a terrible accident involving three cars and yet nothing has been done about it. It needs a zebra crossing and proper sign posting, speed bumps are also needed. That crossing is dangerous."

Paul explained that drivers seem to use the road like a 'race track'.

He added: "The roads have not changed with the times.

"Being here my whole life I know what this road is like.

"Somebody is going to be killed, there is going to be a serious accident.

"I see kids, mums and dog walkers trying to cross that road everyday and I'm worried about them."

Data for the last three years for Tonge Road, between the junctions of Oak Road and where Tonge Road becomes Lomas Road to the east, shows there were no reported crashes resulting in injury.

No fatalities have been reported at this crossing point since records began in 1999.

KCC are also creating traffic calming measures on Tonge Road to reduce vehicle speeds and therefore the risk of serious road traffic accidents on this stretch of road.

A spokesperson said: “The safety of those on or near our roads is a top priority, which is why we have committed to introducing a traffic calming scheme this summer.

“We listen carefully to the concerns of residents and analyse data to see what areas are most in need of intervention.

“The data for this location does not support the need for the installation of a zebra crossing or lowering the speed limit, which can be costly and will slow the progress of the other measures that are planned.

“We will continue to monitor this site closely and review the impact of the traffic calming scheme once it is installed.