Members of Dover Joint Transportation Board are expected to oppose the proposed highway improvements for South Street if they choose to follow the officer’s advice.

The agenda for the meeting on September 10 is already available to view online and shows Kent County Council highway projects engineer Ben Hilden’s recommendation to not proceed with the initial designs following substantial objections during consultation.

Kent County Council has been allocated £200,000 for improvements for South Street through The Local Growth Fund from central government. The proposed improvements included changing the direction of traffic flow and installing three bus stops on the northern side.

Mr Hilden, who visited Deal on August 3, has identified that South Street is in need of improvement but not at the detriment of local businesses, given the number of objections received.

A proposed alternative design has been drawn up and has taken into account suggestions raised by Deal Town Council and comments from consultees.

It includes retaining the existing traffic flow on South Street together with installing an additional bus stop on the southern side of the road and widening the southern footway to allow improved access for pedestrians, setting the proposed shelters further away from businesses located on South Street.

The taxi bays are proposed to remain in the same place, with the installation of an additional hard standing area to allow passengers to access the taxi from either side of the vehicle.

The northern side of the carriageway will be widened to improve pedestrian accessibility. Footways are proposed to be re-laid to improve to highway appearance together with improving the street scene working with Deal Town Council.

Deal Town councillor Wayne Elliott said: “I would like to thank Lorna Crow, our town clerk, who had the initiative to bring Ben Hilden down to meet members of the public to show the plans and listen to all their concerns.

“I had the opportunity to walk around with him to show him why it wouldn’t work. He obviously took note of that. I’d like to thank him too.

“I’m more than pleased with the amended proposal. I think it’s brilliant and would urge members of the public to go online and view it.”

Visit tinyurl.com/nh7me9l to see the agenda in full and view the alternative layout