Councillors have been left puzzled at the installation of “anti-terrorism” gates in Maidstone town centre.

The barriers, used to prevent vehicles from harming people or ramming into buildings, are usually seen around high-profile buildings and squares in city centres.

But they are now situated at the Week Street junction of Station Road, Earl Street and Gabriels Hill.

County councillor for Maidstone Central, Tom Cannon, (Con), said: “Communication by council staff with the elected members on this has been very poor.

"Having dug into this since, it was an operational, officer-led decision from both Maidstone Borough Council (MBC) and Kent County Council that was paid for by MBC.

"I am concerned by the cost of these gates and I also question the need to have them in Maidstone.

"It does seem over the top and as yet I have not been convinced.

"Obviously, protecting shops and pedestrians is important but the precautionary principle can sometimes lead to costly and quite frankly unnecessary decisions.

"We should have been consulted and given a report on the facts before these were installed.

"I repeatedly try to get funds for road improvements in the town and I am regularly told this is unavailable, these gates should have been a councillor-based decision after an assessment of the facts."

Cllr Stuart Jeffery (Green), who represents Bridge ward on MBC, said: "They do look a bit excessive for Week Street, if they’re there for terrorism – I can’t exactly imagine what terrorism we would have in Maidstone.

"It’s not exactly a target, I wouldn’t have thought,I really do question why we have them."

"We got serious large priorities in Maidstone with people needing food and being able to heat their homes.

"Reducing people’s energy costs is a massive priority at the moment, I don’t want to see money spent elsewhere unless it’s absolutely necessary."

There were mixed feelings about the gates on the streets of Maidstone.

Max Vivian, 21, a fridge engineer from the County Town, said: "I think they’re a good thing, it means people won’t be able to drive down there (Week Street) so fast."

Ben Hilditch, 20, a full-time student, also from Maidstone, said: "They’ve come out of nowhere really, I don’t see much point in them being here."

The robust gates, which were installed permanently on May 9, were first trialled during the Covid-19 lockdown to stop delivery vehicles accidentally using the shopping streets and hampering social distancing efforts.

They can also be used protect against criminal ram-raids, MBC was approached for a comment on how much the gates cost.