Road restrictions in Rainham near with red route consultation closing

KentOnline / KMTV

A controversial consultation designed to reduce congestion on Rainham High Street closes tomorrow. But Local businesses and activists says the scheme won't work and will significantly impact the local economy.

Transcript

00:00 Yellow lines now, red lines next year.

00:03 This is what the end of Medway Council's statutory consultation could mean for Raynham High Street.

00:08 It would mean drivers would not be able to stop, load or park along red-lined roads at any time.

00:14 We've previously heard from businesses that say the plans would cause them financial harm

00:18 so they wouldn't be able to unload stock.

00:21 Following a consultation that split to 60 businesses, Medway Council have altered their proposals.

00:26 Well I'm here at the intersection between Raynham High Street and Orchard Street

00:31 and just behind me is where they're going to introduce the new loading bays.

00:35 But many businesses I've spoken to say this won't be enough.

00:39 Raynham is my business, you know, I'm probably known as the Raynham window cleaner.

00:45 One of those businesses impacted is that of Mike Norman.

00:48 He says the new loading bays won't resolve the underlying problems he's facing.

00:53 Yes it will make it very difficult because I have to wash the signs up here.

01:00 How am I going to actually wash the signs for Leuchhurst?

01:05 And how am I going to wash the other signs for my customers?

01:12 Even in the areas that have been destined for loading bays are not going to be much good

01:20 because they'd be too far from the places I clean.

01:23 And they will only allow 20 minutes.

01:25 But the leader of Medway Council says the criticism isn't shared by everyone.

01:30 I know from listening to small businesses particularly across Medway when it's come to this issue,

01:35 there's a mixture of opinions.

01:36 Some businesses are really welcoming this actually and want to see this come forward.

01:41 I know some of those spoke to KMTV.

01:43 Others have a less positive view and that's completely understandable.

01:46 That's why we've listened in particular when it comes to the issue of loading bays.

01:50 We've made sure that during that informal consultation we were in listening mode

01:54 and we made those changes as we move forward to the statutory consultation which finishes shortly.

01:59 I can't really see any sort of problems.

02:01 I mean delivery should only really take about 20 minutes anyway.

02:04 This business, Chartered Wood Mobility, supports the scheme.

02:08 But despite their support they still think the consultation should be longer.

02:11 I understand why some businesses think that maybe there should be an extension on the consultation.

02:16 I agree with that as well.

02:18 I think there probably should be just something after Christmas while it dies down

02:22 just so that they can still get their thoughts in.

02:24 The consultation which started at the end of November comes to an end tomorrow.

02:28 But the debate around this high street will rage on.

02:31 Oliver Leeds of the Sacks reporting for KMTV.

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