SHOPKEEPERS who are complaining about the way the two-way traffic has hit their Chatham businesses should have influenced the scheme when it was being designed, says a senior councillor.

The deputy leader of the council Cllr Alan Jarrett made the comment during a public session looking at the way he handles his cabinet portfolio.

Cllr Jarrett (Con) told the finance scrutiny committee the resumption of two-way traffic more than 30 years after the ring road was opened had been “a great success”, although he admitted there was a need for some tweaking. “It is a triumph for the engineers,” he said.

“There was a lengthy period of extensive public meetings.”

But as he spoke with councillors, project manager Mark Bradbury was meeting traders and residents to iron out concerns.

Cllr Bill Esterson (Lab) told the committee: “There is a different feeling among residents, and traders didn’t know the extent of the scheme earlier.

“For example, a number of car dealers have been caught completely by surprise that people can’t get from Globe Lane to Medway Street. You can’t get a car transporter under the railway bridge or from Globe Lane. So how do you get one to service these dealerships?”

Cllr Jarrett retorted: “If I was a trader or resident I would have made it my business to know what was happening.

“I think the publicity was pretty comprehensive and we did all we could.”

Sixty traders have signed a petition about the road, said Cllr Esterson. “They did not know what the impact would be.”

Cllr Jarrett said: “It’s a fair point. If the customer hasn’t got the message, you don’t blame the customer. We will review our publicity.”