Police patrols have turned away more than 400 motorists who were trying to cut through a one-way system.

Beat officers have been stationed at the junction of Clive Road, Barrack Row and Garrick Street, in Gravesend, to crack down on traffic offences.

A bus gate, which is a stretch of road with restricted access for vehicles, was installed where the three streets meet in 2018 allowing only buses and cyclists through.

It was resurfaced in blue to make it more obvious and obsolete signs were removed in 2022, as part of Kent County Council’s (KCC) £2.5 million project to improve transport connections.

However, a spokesman for the local authority said unauthorised vehicles were still using the route illegally.

The owner of the nearby boutique clothing store For Girlys said drivers do not realise Clive Road only allows access to the train station and Thamesgate Shopping Centre car parks until they reach the junction.

Tracey Baker, who has owned the store in Stone Street for around 28 years, thinks warning signs at the top of the road could help.

She added: “It has never been very clear. I do not think most people are aware they are doing anything wrong.”

The owner of Saturn Taxis, which has an office in Barrack Row, Jas Shergill, agreed and said motorists often use the bus gate.

He added: “Bus drivers are getting frustrated as people have got so used to coming down here, they still do.

“Everyone comes through and it causes traffic to build up where it should not be.

“For our taxis, it could take 15 seconds to get to the office from the rank but if there is a lot of traffic because drivers have come through the bus gate, it can take a lot longer.

“What we need is some clarity on who is and is not allowed through.”

The bus gate allows buses and cyclists through into Barrack Row, which leads to Darnley Road.

The alternative route for other vehicles from Clive Road is via Stone Street and Rathmore Road.

Only buses and other authorised vehicles, such as taxis, can access Darnley Road by entering the one-way system in Garrick Street, between 10am and 6pm.

Police officers have been patrolling the area for the past few weeks after concerns were raised the bus gate was being used by motorists.

Those who were caught trying to drive through were advised on how to use it correctly and turned around.

Around 400 drivers were stopped.

A consultation was held by KCC to change the blue bus gate sign to a no-entry with exceptions for buses and cyclists to improve awareness of the restriction.

A spokesman said reasonable improvements to the signing have to be made before ANPR cameras could be installed.

The results of the consultation are still pending.