The removal of chains installed to stop cars driving through a busy town centre has led to a spate of near-miss collisions with shoppers.

For at least two decades, Rochester High Street has been a no-go area for drivers between 10am and 4pm on Saturdays.

A chain barrier was placed there during that period to prevent traffic from entering.

But in February Medway Council did away with the safety measures at the Northgate junction between Ye Arrow and the Cheese Room on one side at Fish at 55 and Costa opposite.

There is a sign there warning motorists not to enter the area, but many traders, residents and drivers maintain it is not visible.

Last Saturday, two restaurateurs took matters into their own hands by placing barrels at the junction to act as a makeshift deterrent preventing motorists from driving straight across the High Street and potentially ploughing into crowds of people.

Fish at 55 duty manager Chloe Taylor said: “We did it for the safety of people in the High Street after some incidents.

“It seemed to work. Although one person got out and removed the keg, but reversed back when they saw barrels on the other side.

“A lot of people have received warning letters because they have not seen the sign.”

Some are saying the scrapping of the barrier has coincided with the authority introducing Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras in the town with fines being enforced for those who contravene driving rules.

The crackdown came into force at the beginning of February at eight locations across Medway in a bid to improve road safety and ease congestion in built-up areas

Penalty charge notices of up to £70 are being handed out to those who commit offences such as driving through a ‘no entry’ sign, illegal turns and stopping in yellow box junctions.

Footage is being reviewed by council staff and for the first six months, a warning letter will be sent rather than a PCN to a first-time offender.

Bradley Peachey, manager of Johnstone’s hardware shop, said it was “obvious” the chains came down as soon as the cameras went up.

He said: “What’s so annoying is that the chains are still up further down the High Street where there are no cameras.

He said: “Those chains have been up since I worked as a Saturday boy, so about 20 years ago.

“It’s a logistical nightmare and it’s putting some people off coming here on a Saturday, especially those with young families.

“That’s sad because Rochester is the most family-orientated town in Medway.”

Sarah Tranter, chairwoman of Rochester City Centre Forum, says the move is affecting trade as shoppers are being put off from visiting because of the safety risks.

She carried out a survey of drivers on a Saturday who have mostly unknowingly broken the regulation.

She said: “I spent over an hour, standing underneath the camera from 10.34am to 11.38am. I photographed 76 cars, vans and motorcycles going straight across or turning left or right along the High Street.

“Some were going very fast and others had to stop for pedestrians.

“Every driver we spoke to had not noticed the sign and thought it was open as the chains weren’t there or they’d never been here before and were concentrating on the chicane and pedestrians going across the road.”

As forum chairman, Mrs Tranter is responsible for safety at the monthly Rochester City Vintage and Artisan Market and says the change is “endangering lives”.

Rochester mum Sally Schmoeger agreed, saying: “I don’t understand why the council has removed the chain preventing people from driving along the High Street, potentially ploughing into pedestrians.

“Excuse my cynicism, but could it have something to do with the camera which has gone up at the same time?

“It’s one thing to use motorists as cash cows, but to put lives at risk at the same time is inexcusable.

Medway Council was asked why the removal of the chains had taken place about the same time the safety cameras went up.

KentOnline was told the long-standing restriction on vehicles using the High Street on a Saturday is “clearly signed in accordance with regulations”.

“The chain was removed in February as this is now enforced by ANPR.

“Removing the chain means residents and emergency services no longer need to exit their vehicle to remove the chain and put it back in place once they have passed through.

“All motorists should follow the rules of the road to ensure all road users, including pedestrians, are kept safe.”