Traffic marshalls drafted in to help ease congestion at McDonald's drive-thrus in Aylesford and Maidstone

Published: 14:20, 03 June 2020

Updated: 14:49, 03 June 2020

Traffic marshalls have helped keep queues under control at a McDonald's which reopened today, after fears the main route to a hospital could become gridlocked.

The Aylesford outlet welcomed customers back to its drive-thru at 11am, but the move prompted concerns of traffic chaos.

Officers were seen wearing masks as they directed traffic

MP Tracey Crouch urged the chain to push back this particular reopening, worried queues could block a main route to Maidstone Hospital.

The MP said given the queues witnessed elsewhere in the county when stores have reopened, such as in Medway last month, it would not be right to start serving there, adding: “I think it will cause chaos and potentially cost lives”.

Ms Crouch also highlights the entry and exit lanes of the Aylesford outlet both come out in Hermitage Lane, which could cause more cars to build up.

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The Maidstone branch in Hart Street has reopened today too, and Ms Crouch fears this could lead to both main routes to the hospital being jammed.

Despite Ms Crouch voicing her concerns, the outlet reopened today, but McDonald’s head office says it is taking the issue “very seriously” and has employed “traffic management guards” to work at the restaurant during the first week.

Three traffic wardens and two PCSOs were at the site today

So far, three security guards have been keeping traffic under control, with no queues on Hermitage Lane this morning and into the afternoon.

Police community support officers were also stationed at the site, but have now left.

A security guard and another member of staff have been manning the car park in Hart Street too, which is equally under control.

McDonald’s said: “We are clear that if it is deemed necessary to close the restaurant if queues do cause serious disruption we are prepared to do so.”

However, Ms Crouch still thinks traffic could become “horrendous”.

A security guard who normally works at the Week Street McDonald's is now manning traffic at Hart Street drive-thru

She said: “I am not quite sure what powers or training the “traffic management guards” have in order to ensure the free flow of traffic on the A20 or the busy B road to the Hospital A&E but I hope it is enough.

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“Fingers crossed that I am horribly wrong and we have a harmonious situation of people being able to get their burgers while others safely reach the hospital without any problems.”

McDonald's plans to have reopened all drive-thrus in the UK by tomorrow.