Frustrated residents have branded their town’s new £250,000 Spanish-style plaza “a total and utter waste of money” and say it should be ripped up.

A stretch of Central Parade, which runs along Herne Bay seafront, has been shut off to cars as a result of the pedestrianisation scheme.

This has resulted in a new one-way system which has already caused issues, with a bin lorry being driven in the wrong direction along Richmond Street last week.

Backers of the plaza say it is not yet finished and in the summer it could boost the town’s economy and footfall on the pier.

But more than 800 people have now signed a petition urging Kent County Council, which led the project, to scrap it.

A public meeting is also being held for residents and business owners to voice their concerns at 7pm on Tuesday, January 9, at the United Reform Church Hall.

One of those who will be attending is 73-year-old Janet Farbrace, who has lived in the town for more than 50 years.

Speaking to KentOnline on the seafront next to new planters marking the borders of the plaza, she said: “If I could drive a dumper truck, the obstruction would have been long gone.

“It seems this ridiculous scheme has been pushed through by people who don't live or work in our town.

“We have, like so many other locals, driven along our seafront from Hampton to Sea View Road regularly, but this stupid idea has put paid to a lovely run. We dread to think what our regular visitors will make of it come spring/summer.

“We have everything crossed for the coming weeks and hope KCC removes this ridiculous plaza.”

The area in question - between the junctions with Pier Avenue and Station Road - has already been resurfaced and is now completely closed to all traffic.

New road markings and signs have also been installed in surrounding streets to accommodate the new one-way system and ahead of the implementation of a 20mph zone.

Diane Hardes, 68, who was visiting the seafront from nearby Canterbury, said: “It does feel like a lot of money has been spent and we haven’t got much in return.

“It just doesn’t seem to make much sense.

“It won’t stop my husband and I coming down here but it probably will stop some people because they’ll feel like it’s not worth the hassle.”

But not everyone is against the plaza.

Colin Smith, 69, said: “It doesn't bother me because I'm not a driver.

“I’m part of the choir, the Herne Bay community singers, and we do concerts around the area. We’ve performed on the stage on the pier in the past and you never know, maybe next time we’ll be performing on the plaza.”

Despite the backlash, city councillor Dan Watkins, a long-term supporter of the plaza, has urged residents to give it a chance and wait for the planned improvements to be fully installed.

“The project's not even finished yet,” the Conservative representative for Greenhill said.

“They're still building the cycle lane and putting in the last bits of signage for the one-way system and indeed the final part of the project is the 20mph extension.

“I recognize that people have got concerns and, of course, when you change the flow of traffic it will take weeks or even a few months for people to get used to the new arrangements.

“Maybe we can, once the scheme has settled down a bit, see what people think. Then maybe we can ask for some changes to the way the new one-way system works, but I wouldn't want to be premature about it.”

As part of the changes, vehicles are no longer able to turn off the high street into Pier Avenue, which has been made one-way in the opposite direction.

Motorists are also only able to travel eastbound along St George’s Terrace, with Dolphin Street restricted to southbound traffic.

Telford Street and Richmond Street - between the high street and Central Parade - have also been made one-way.

While the new plaza has been unoccupied since its completion last month, the city council plans to use the space to host community and charitable events as well as commercial activities.

Council bosses have also said they would be open to looking for a tenant for an annual licence to manage the space.

David Smith, 84, is optimistic that the plaza will come into its own in the summer months.

“I suppose you've got to look ahead and think about what it will be like,” he told KentOnline.

“I think now the traffic is settling down, that might be a big improvement.

“Those complaining will get used to the new traffic system but I don’t have a car so it doesn’t bother me. I think it will be good for the local area. Hopefully, kiosks from the pier will extend onto the plaza which would be good for everyone.

“It’s too soon to say, really. Generally, the prosperity of a town relies on good word getting around - but I think it will go all right.”