Latest plans to sort out a stretch of road in Maidstone which has been labelled the most polluted area in the county do not go far enough, a campaigner has warned.

Maidstone Borough Council (MBC) has revealed its scheme for fixing congestion and reducing pollution in Upper Stone Street, but has been accused of "tinkering at the edge" of the problem, while objections from businesses to the more stringent proposals are expected.

The 500-metre section of road has consistently failed to meet safe levels of air pollution and in 2018 was the worst hotspot for unclean air in Kent according to figures released by Friends of the Earth.

In 2019 there was a slight improvement, but levels still dramatically exceeded the limit, legally binding under European Union Law. However, Maidstone Council argues there is a long-term trend of improvement in that area and the town overall.

Pollution is so bad in the area because of frequent gridlock and two lanes of traffic going up a hill, meaning vehicle engines work harder.

The road's narrow nature and tall buildings on either side prevent pollution from dissipating more easily.

Last year, the council investigated how to fix the problem, with three options put forward. But they were subsequently put aside over concerns they would not bring in change fast enough.

These options included a formal red route and a clean air zone which non-compliant buses, taxis and HGVs would have been charged to use.

Yesterday evening, members of the MBC planning and infrastucture committee approved the new plans, which will now be submitted to the MBC/ Kent County Council (KCC) Joint Transportation Board on Wednesday, October 14, for implementation.

Currently, single yellow lines run up the street, with no waiting from Monday to Saturday, 8am to 6.30pm. Loading and unloading is also not allowed within the same time frame.

MBC wants to bring in double yellow lines and a loading restriction to protect the peak traffic periods on all days from 7am to 8pm, with the impact monitored for 12 months. Officers believe this would be faster and more cost efficient than bringing in a red route, while still having the benefits of one.

A formal red route is when all stopping for loading or unloading and boarding or leaving a vehicle, is banned.

However, if the proposed scheme is unsuccessful the transport board will be asked to pursue a red route, which would require significant investment from KCC.

Other parts of the scheme include parking being monitored more closely through the KCC traffic control room, which will install one or more extra cameras and will communicate in real-time with the MBC parking enforcement agent, allowing them to rapidly deal with breaches.

The council will also explore making some side streets one-way, but it is not yet known which ones.

During last night's meeting, councillors also recommended that after a year, the possibility of extending the scheme to Lower Stone Street and Palace Avenue should be examined.

Finally, a cherry tree will be removed to allow for space for the dispersement of pollution in that area and six trees will be planted on the grass verge.

These trees will not have large canopies which can potentially trap unclean air.

Reacting to the plans, Stuart Jeffrey, a Green Party campaigner in Maidstone and co-chair of Kent Greens, said: “We welcome the long-awaited focus on Upper Stone Street’s air quality, but while the recommendations will help a little we are concerned that the council are tinkering at the edges of the problem and not tackling it head on.

“We need to see the introduction of an ultra low emission zone, akin to that in London which has brought significant reductions to air pollution to the city and raised revenue for investment, investment that needs to be in alternative, greener forms of transport."

John Tobin, manager of Lashings, a sports bar in Upper Stone Street, queried where his delivery vans, which park right outside between 7am and 8am, would be able to go under the plans.

Customers don't park outside the business, but a lot do get taxis to and fro. Mr Tobin said it would be "ridiculous" if taxis couldn't even stop to pick people up.

Speaking about the possible plans for one-way systems down side streets, he said: "All of the businesses are going to go crazy if there are one-way systems in the side streets. They will have to go all the way around to get a space."

However, Mark Rayfield, assistant manager at Brandon Hire Station, a tool hire store, welcomed the proposed changes. He said: "Between 8 and 9am it's like a car park out there, anything that keeps traffic moving is a good idea."

In documents, MBC admitted it was possible that a "more stringent regime" will be unpopular with local businesses and residents, but they will be consulted before any changes are made, and their views will be weight against the ambition to accelerate air quality improvements.

Speaking during the committee meeting, ward member Cllr Clive English said the scheme would "do something significant to improve traffic flow" in the area and said he hoped this would be the "first step", with the committee also looking at Palace Avenue and Lower Stone Street in the future.

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