Controversial pedestrian and cycle zone is scrapped

About 700 people attended a meeting to voice their concerns about the pedestrian and cycle zone in Herne Bay

A controversial pedestrian and cycle zone in Kent will be removed and the road reopened to two-way traffic.

Central Parade, in Herne Bay, was closed as part of an active travel scheme to encourage more cycling and walking, and to create an events space.

Roughly 700 people attended a meeting with Kent County Council in January to voice their concerns about the plaza.

The council’s member for transport, Neil Baker, has confirmed to the BBC that the road will open to traffic again on Friday.

Neil Baker said Kent County Council had listened to feedback it received on the project

“I have had lots of correspondence, a working party was formed and they came up with the recommendation that Central Parade be reopened to two-way traffic,” said Mr Baker.

The councillor said he believe that the government’s Active Travel England, which paid for the planters and signs installed as part of the road closure, will also pay for the road to be reopened.

Mr Baker said that the space could still be used for events, as “anyone can apply to close any road for an event”.

The meeting in January was so well attended that it was cancelled after just five minutes, while more than 100 people queuing outside the building as they tried to get in.

The planters have been moved back against the fence allowing two-way traffic to travel along the seafront