Controversial no-nonsense signs telling runners to "jog on" from a town centre as part of a crackdown on non-essential visits during the pandemic have been taken down.

The posters were part of efforts by Medway Council to warn the public about lockdown rules and the need to stay home and away from Rochester High Street for all but essential reasons.

But the frank tone of the messaging which included telling those exercising in the narrow cobbled streets of the historic town led to a backlash.

The authority has now decided to remove the signs, which split opinion after they were put up earlier this month.

In a poll when KentOnline reported on the initial row following the signs appearing, a third of people agreed it was the tough talking measures needed to ensure people follow the rules.

Just over half of the 1,500 respondents felt the messages were too controlling.

Today, the council confirmed the "jog on" signs had been removed.

Ruth Du-Lieu, assistant director of frontline services at Medway Council, said: “Last week we launched a new public information campaign, on the advice of public health, in Rochester High Street to encourage residents to think carefully before visiting the town centre.

"(This was) due to increasing concerns, especially at weekends, about large crowds gathering on the historic high street despite government restrictions advising people to stay at home.

"We, and our partners at Kent Police, became concerned that this was making it extremely difficult for social distancing to take place in our narrow high street and to keep people safe.

“The campaign is aimed at reinforcing the current government guidelines that residents should only be going out for essential reasons and to encourage people to visit at quieter times.

"Keeping people safe and well is our top priority during this pandemic and we want to help protect those who live in Rochester and use the nearby essential shops to stock up on supplies or for their daily exercise.

“Following concerns from residents we removed one of the signs which aimed to encourage people who might normally go running through the High Street to explore other parts of Rochester for their exercise to help keep them safe if the area was busy.

"We have now removed this particular message and apologise for any offence this sign may have caused.

"However, keeping residents and visitors safe during the ongoing pandemic remains our top priority and we would encourage everyone to continue to follow the latest government guidelines to keep themselves and their loved ones safe."

The council has not confirmed how much the signs cost to produce.

It is not the first time the tone of the authority's public health messaging has been called into question.

Before Christmas, a series of online and social media ads aimed at younger audiences were questioned during a debate about whether to play board games during the festive season.

Concerns have now been raised relating to the "confusing" messages being issued by the council relating to Covid public health and information for residents.

Labour’s Alex Paterson has criticised the Tory-led council saying he’s been calling for actions for months.

He said: “I was already asking people from December 4 not to come to Rochester to protect residents from Covid.

“Two months on, the council are only just beginning this campaign.

“I want to know why this campaign didn’t begin when the situation was worse.

“I don’t understand why this didn’t begin when cases were rising so fast during December.

“I think the council and the Conservatives have to be held responsible for the amount of mixed messages residents have received.

“Stuart Tranter (fellow ward councillor) was encouraging people the day after Rochester was announced as being in a Tier 4 area, to attend a farmers’ market as it was safer to shop outdoors than inside at a supermarket, even though there is scientific evidence against this claim.

“I think his information was completely bogus, people needed to stay home to protect themselves, others and the NHS, we need fewer people on the Rochester High Street to achieve that.”

He added: “I want to say thank you to the residents of Rochester for their patience and endurance.

“The vast majority of people have followed the rules but there will always be a few that think the guidelines don’t apply to them. "People need to stay away and stop the spreading of the virus.”

In response to Cllr Paterson’s claims, Cllr Tranter said: “I tweeted the farmers’ market was going ahead because of uncertainty around the recent changes to the Tier 4 system at the time.

“Because I tweeted the confirmation of the market going ahead, members of the Labour group commented I was encouraging unnecessary travel.

“I wasn’t, I was just stating that it was indeed still going ahead as it was offering essential food for sale in a safe outdoor space. "All while supporting local businesses.”

Talking about the new signs, the Tory added: “If I had seen the signs before they were printed, I would’ve made the wording a little more friendly.

“It is mostly quiet along the High Street but if it’s a sunny day more people do come to the town. People should do what they have to and then leave.

“This is a serious problem, people only need to come for their essential reason and then move on.

"The council is following government guidelines and are doing their best in a time when everyone has an opinion.

“People are acting with their best intentions and everyone wants to keep people safe.”

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