A £9 million project will transform Strood town centre for shoppers and motorists.

Medway Council made a successful bid for Local Growth Fund money last year and now a draft town centre review and concept plan has been put on display for residents to view.

The designers for the Transforming Strood project, Project Centre, were in Strood High Street today talking to shoppers about the plans which include reducing the speed limit along the High Street to 20mph and replacing the traffic lights with zebra crossings.

Gun Lane and Cuxton Road would be made two-way if the plans go ahead in an attempt to reduce congestion in and around the town.

The designers hope this will make the high street less congested and more pedestrian friendly. They also plan to widen footpaths to make it easier for shoppers and hope to remove some of the guard rails.

Sam Neal, project director, said: “It’s a really exciting opportunity for Strood.

“The main objectives of the project are to create a sense of place for Strood for the people that live, work and visit the town centre.

“We’re creating places where people want to spend time and sit and meet people as well as just to shop.

“All of this is about increasing footfall and, hopefully, spending within businesses so people want to come to Strood and feel proud of their town centre.

“I was really surprised by the numbers of people who came to see us.

“There has been quite a lot of support because there is a general feeling that they want Strood to be better and that’s what we hope we will be able to give them.”

She added that there had been some concerns among residents about how the new traffic system would work but said they had modelled the proposal using simulators.

Karen Payne, co-manager of Strood Community Project’s charity shop, said: “We do really need some money spent on regeneration so I think it’s a good thing. If it makes it easier for people to get round Strood high street it will definitely be good for business.

“It’s very good that they are going to widen the footpaths and make it a lot easier to walk around because I think some areas, particularly around the butchers are quite congested and to lower the speed limit to stop accidents is always a good thing.”

A public display of the plans can be found on the first floor of Strood Library, High Street, which is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm, and Saturday, 9am to 5pm. You can also see the proposals online at www.medway.gov.uk/stroodtowncentre.