Businesses are being blighted by "Sahara-like" dust from construction work on a new development, prompting fears for the health of workers.

Some say they are being forced to wear their Covid masks to protect their lungs from the dust clouds coming from the M2 Citylink construction site on Medway City Estate.

Jesse Miller, owner of Emblem Workwear in Anthonys Way, said he had to regularly clean his shop over the past few weeks, and described the scene as "like the Sahara desert".

"It's absolutely horrendous," he added. "If it happened around a housing estate or school, they would shut the school down.

"It's been happening for weeks. I've got pictures of my shop absolutely covered in dust and the floor is thick with dust.

"I can't imagine what's going in our lungs. Who knows what damage it's doing? We complained about it but they said you should be glad they're doing something with the space."

He said businesses on the estate had contacted builders Mitchell Design & Construction, but that nothing had been done to improve the situation.

"They said 'you've got to put up with it'. They've got a sign saying "considerate builders" which made me laugh. It's the usual thing – you get fobbed off.

"I know there's going to be inconvenience but you've got to prepare for it and accommodate other people. You can't just go in and make a mess.

"We can't open the doors or the windows because the dust is horrendous. We're cleaning up and having to hoover every few days."

Mr Miller explained the problem is caused when vehicles drive on and off the site, disturbing dust during dry weather, and was easily fixed.

"All they need to do is put a sprinkler on it. They said they would put a bowser on it but it's not happening.

"It's terrible. We're a clothing outlet so we're having to clean and brush everything."

Another anonymous business owner said traders had banded together to raise concerns but were being ignored.

"All the businesses are complaining to Medway Council and environmental health," they added. "We are having to clean the shops twice a week, cars are getting covered daily and we wear masks now not only for Covid but to protect our lungs as I now get breathless daily from it."

Another said: "It's a complete dust hazard down here. The problem is it's dry and they just need to damp it down, but nothing is being done."

Responding to the concerns, a spokesman for Mitchell Design & Construction said: “We are obviously aware of the issue and are taking additional steps to mitigate dust at the moment.

"We have on site a towable dust suppression cannon which is being used to dampen stockpiles and reduce airbourne dust. We also have a system of road sweeping in place for the access road. We have taken the decision to cancel a large number of delivery lorries booked as this is one of the generation points.

"Solid 2.4m high hoarding is erected at the boundary and the gate is screened to minimise dust blowing across our neighbours and has been throughout the project.

"We are also in the process of seeding the larger stockpiles to reduce the chance of dust being created from these.

"It should be worth noting that the site is experiencing dust and smoke being blown onto our site from neighbouring land to the north and east of us, which is also contributing to the airbourne particles, and being blown down the adjacent road towards our neighbours to the south of us.

"That combined with the current north-easterly wind has exacerbated the issue. Reduced wind speed, a change of direction and the forecast showers should alleviate the issue shortly."

Medway Council has been approached for further comment.

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