Cameras could be installed at a hotspot where drivers wrongly use a bus lane to cut through traffic.

Hundreds of motorists were turned around by police over the Christmas period as they tried to take a shortcut through the one-way system.

Now people have until Tuesday, March 12, to have their say on installing automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras at the junction of Clive Road, Barrack Row and Garrick Street in Gravesend.

The six-week consultation comes after more than 600 vehicles were stopped from using the bus gate between December and January.

A bus gate – 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.

In July 2022, KCC was given new powers to enforce moving traffic offences and has rolled out a number around the county – including in Maidstone, Dartford and Dover.

Previously, offences such as driving through ‘no entry’ signs, banned turns, entering yellow box junctions when the exit wasn’t clear, and driving vehicles on routes marked for buses and taxis only could only be enforced by the police.

KCC’s most recent proposals include the bus gate with an existing blue bus gate sign showing only local buses and cycles are allowed through the bus gate in Gravesend, as well as five new bus gates showing ‘no entry’ signs with exceptions for local buses on the Dover Fastrack routes in Whitfield, Dover.

Figures from the county council gathered in June 2022 revealed around 1,000 vehicles were moving through the Clive Road bus gate, which was “causing delays to the bus network and affected the punctuality of buses”.

Previously, Tracey Baker, who has owned boutique clothing store For Girlys 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.”

The county authority says installing ANPR cameras and issuing fines is a “last line of defence” to get drivers to comply with restrictions.

It says making money from these new enforcements isn’t the aim, but funds will be used to improve road safety, tackle congestion, improve public transport reliability, improve air quality and lifespan of roads.

KCC’s cabinet member for highways and transport, Cllr Neil Baker (Con), said: “Moving traffic enforcement can only be applied where action is needed to improve road safety, make public transport more attractive and tackle congestion.

“Last year we consulted on the first batch of locations, which we are now working towards implementing, using specialist technology to ensure the travelling public comply with lines and signs. Now is your chance to have your say on the areas where we are suggesting action is required.”

You can review the documents and take part by visiting the council’s consultation here.

If you have any questions about this consultation or require a hard copy of the questionnaire, contact tma.consultation@kent.gov.uk, with reference “Traffic Management Act”.

For any alternative formats, email alternativeformats@kent.gov.uk or call 03000 42 15 53.