A proposal to relocate Rochester’s coach park to the Esplanade have been scrapped according to the ward councillor for the area.

Plans to relocate the depot to the picturesque spot between Rochester Castle and the River Medway have sparked a wave of protest.

In less than a week, more than 1,800 people have signed an online petition opposing the development of the riverside recreation area.

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Many were angry about the loss of the open space and worried about the increased traffic in the road, as reported in the Medway Messenger on Monday.

But late last night ward councillor Stuart Tranter emailed all his constituents to say the idea was no longer on the table.

He said: "I raised with the leader of the council deep concerns regarding the suggestion that the coach park could be relocated on to the Esplanade gardens.

"So he asked me to carry out a review of this project which I have been doing for several days and consequently this evening the leader and all councillors unanimously agreed that while the Esplanade Gardens was practical, and it may have been designed sensitively, it was never going to be good use of that space and is now rejected as even a possibility."

The existing depot in Gas House Road has to go to make way for a school as part of the Rochester Riverside regeneration scheme. The building work is due to start in November.

Cllr Tranter said: "Many other sites which I and others feel are more suitable are being looked at. This will take some time."