Tourists will no longer have conversations “interrupted by misfiring cars” or have to suck in exhaust fumes if plans for a seaside plaza go ahead, campaigners say.

Kent County Council has for the first time officially unveiled its plans to ban traffic along part of Central Parade in Herne Bay and to install a one-way system in the surrounding streets.

The authority also wants to add cycle lanes and double yellow lines – which will result in the loss of 13 parking spaces – between the town’s railway station and the seafront.

Conservative councillor Dan Watkins believes the proposals will slash the number of vehicles travelling along the main coastal drag.

“We’re not going to have people whizzing down the length of the seafront,” the senior Tory explained.

“The traffic is going to flow more along High Street, which is what we want.

“In Folkestone it’s noticeable there aren’t cars two or three metres away passing you by on the seafront; you aren’t interrupted by a misfiring car engine, you’re not breathing in pollution.

“The experience of walking along the seafront is going to be transformed – people will be able to enjoy the seafront without cars rushing by them.”

Drawings show barriers will be erected to prevent traffic travelling through Central Parade between the junctions with Pier Avenue and Station Road.

Cllr Watkins says “people will be able to relax and, from time to time, enjoy community events and other recreational activities” in the square.

Motorists will also be banned from travelling westbound along part of the route running from the Lane End turning to Dolphin Street.

Meanwhile, a new segregated cycle and walking path will be created in Station Road and existing double yellow lines will be extended almost 90 metres.

A bike ban in Memorial Park will be lifted to allow riders to scoot along its northern path.

“We’re making the whole experience of visiting our town much nicer,” Cllr Watkins continued.

“At the moment, I think people come to Herne Bay and think ‘wow, there’s some beautiful history here, beautiful buildings and interesting sites like the Pier – but it could be better’.

“When you look at what we offer, we’re on a par with Whitstable, Broadstairs and Hythe – but we’re not maximising that.

“I think we will see more tourists coming here once these plans are brought in.

“In the long term, I’d like to double the number of people coming into the town.”

As part of the £250,000 scheme – called the Kent Active Travel project – KCC is also hoping to turn the centre of Herne Bay between Central Parade and railway line a 20mph zone.

Supporters of the changes – which would come into force on every route to the east of Sea Street and west of Canterbury Road – believe they will “help to make it easier and more pleasant to walk around the town”.

Documents penned by the county council state: “We are aiming to deliver the scheme during spring 2023.

“We place a high priority on encouraging active travel.

“We want to ensure that walking and cycling are safe, easy, attractive and inclusive.”

The county council has this week launched a consultation, which is due to close on Ocotber 6, on its proposals to shake-up the town’s roads.

To have your say, visit letstalk.kent.gov.uk/hernebayat.