Medway red routes banning stopping come into force

Overnight work was carried out to install the system ahead of its launch

New red routes on five key roads in Medway come into force from Monday, with motorists facing fines if they stop their vehicles.

The restrictions come into force in certain parts of Rochester, Chatham and Rainham.

Work to replace double yellow lines with double red lines was carried out ahead of Monday's launch.

Medway Council said the aim of the red routes is to reduce traffic in heavily congested areas and any funds generated through fines will go towards road maintenance and repairs.

Drivers will be fined for stopping, parking or loading their vehicles in the red route areas at any time.

But the council said it would implement a six-month warning period so road users had time to get used to the system.

It means drivers stopping or illegally parking in a red route zone without exemption will receive a warning notice in the first instance.

Any subsequent infringement of the rules will result in a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN).

The fines will apply to all motorists once the warning period is over.

The routes will be enforced using Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras.

Red routes will be in operation in:

Rochester

Corporation Street between The Esplanade continuing onto Star Hill

Star Hill between Corporation Street and New Road/City Way

Chatham

Best Street between Union Street and Railway Street

The Brook between The Brook Theatre, Whiffen’s Avenue and the junction of New Road (including Union Street)

Rainham

Rainham High Street between Maidstone Road and High Dewar Road.

Medway councillor Simon Curry has said: “The new red routes are great news for residents and everyone using Medway’s roads.

“By tackling congestion, we can help people get where they want to be faster, while making our roads safer.”