A 24-HOUR ban on cars in Maidstone High Street comes into effect on Sunday, November 4. The move by Maidstone council means that most vehicles will not be allowed to drive through the main shopping area between Mill Street and Wyke Manor Road.

At present there is a ban on through traffic entering the High Street above Pudding Lane between 11am and 4pm. The new restrictions put a permanent ban on cars using the route.

At the western end, all vehicles except buses and taxis will have to turn right into Mill Street.

At the eastern end, all vehicles except buses, taxis and cycles will have to turn right into Wyke Manor Road.

Disabled drivers, buses, taxis and cycles will have access from Pudding Lane into the area between Pudding Lane and Wyke Manor Road.

And access for loading and unloading will only be allowed in Pudding Lane in the area between Pudding Lane and Wyke Manor Road between 5.30pm and 10.30am. Next year, a new right-turn into Church Street for all vehicles except buses, taxis and cycles will be introduced and the one way direction in Church Street and Wyke Manor Road will be reversed.

The council is also looking at moving the High Street taxi rank to an alternative site in the town centre.