Road signs, bollards, A-boards and railings could disappear as part of a drive to remove clutter from our pavements and roads.

A council taskforce set up earlier this year to look at how to improve safety for pedestrians and help the flow of traffic has recommended a pilot scheme in Strood High Street.

The scheme, which will have a budget of £50,000, will be between Gun Lane and Station Road.

After this “decluttering” will take place on a case by case basis and as part of maintenance work or building projects.

A report to a meeting of the regeneration committee, which will meet tonight (Thursday), said: “Excessive street furniture can have a severe impact on the public realm.

“Clutter has been criticised for undermining the character and distinctiveness of the public realm, creating safety and accessibility issues and promoting a ‘highway dominated’ environment.”

Examples of clutter raised during the task group’s work included the number of road signs on Hoath Way, Gillingham and guard rails on the A2 between the Will Adams roundabout and the junction with Watling Street.

The policy will be sent to the council’s cabinet for approval at a meeting on July 9.

Council staff will then work on policies on specific types of items and develop a “manual” to tackle the issue.

Congestion in Chatham is also on the agenda.

A number of options to reduce queues along The Brook during rush hour are being considered, which could cost more than £100,000.

These include changing the pedestrian crossings to puffin crossings and altering the timings of traffic signals.

Cllr Craig Mackinlay (Con), who represents the area, claims traffic does not flow properly, with big ‘pinch points’ at The Brook and Union Street.

The number of cars passing through The Brook has risen from around 17,000 in 2005 to 19,000 last year.

The changes come just a few years after the town centre was radically altered.

Thousands signed a petition against the removal of the Sir John Hawkins flyover, part of a £1.6 million scheme, which saw a new, ground level road laid across Chatham High Street from Railway Street to Globe Lane.

This was used to give access to the £7 million bus station.

What do you think? Are our pavements and roads too cluttered? Where would you like to see action taken? Leave a comment below.