Measures to stop lorries parking along a road in Sandling have been made permanent following a lengthy trial period.

Kent County Council spent more than £40,000 installing barriers and bollards along Old Chatham Road in January.

In addition the section of road from the Shell garage on the A229 Blue Bell Hill Maidstone-bound to Tollgate Way was changed to one way and one lane was cordoned off, with cyclists, pedestrians and horse-riders confined to the narrow and crumbling pavement in a move branded dangerous by some residents.

The speed limit was also reduced to 40mph.

Michael Heath, a KCC Highways traffic engineer who has worked on the layout, said the project had rectified the lorry issue but did acknowledge the footway was not fit for use.

Following a six-month public consultation KCC Highways has now ruled the measures should be made permanent, with further work planned to widen the dilapidated pavement.

In total KCC received 19 complaints about the layout, mostly from cyclists, and seven offers of support.