Authorities in Sandwich are looking into reinstating a vital loading bay for deliveries in Strand Street.

There are two loading bays outside Su Shades but only one of them is official.

The owner of the carpet shop, Reg Franks, says motorists continuously park in the bays which means lorries can’t make deliveries and are forced to block traffic, impacting on the whole town.

Last Friday Mr Franks was placing cones across the bays when he was stopped by a Dover District Council traffic warden.

He said: “In the end after a lot of confrontation she said in this one case she would let me do it but in the future I’m not allowed, so we will just pull up and double park and all the traffic in the town will have to stop.

“I’m absolutely sick of trying to get this thing sorted out with the council.

“I’ve had enough. I’m at retirement age and it’s things like this that makes me want to walk out the door and say I’ve had enough.”

Mr Franks said he has suffered abuse from passing motorists, and a lack of response from the council over deliveries.

He also says that the second loading bay, if it was reinstated, could serve Market Street and make deliveries to the Spar much easier.

Richard Linning, of Strand Street, who witnessed the incident, agreed. He said the bays need to be policed and then it would benefit many other traders.

Kent County councillor Leyland Ridings has also been trying to sort out the problem.

He said: “This has been promised to me by the end of the summer. I’ve also requested one to go in Market Street as well, outside the fruit bowl.

“There’s enough traffic problems in Sandwich as it is.”

He said he was promised by DDCs Gordon Measey that a solution to the bays would be implemented.

A DDC spokesman said: “We are aware of this matter, and are looking into reinstating an additional loading bay alongside the existing one.

“The loading bay currently in use outside this shop can be used for loading only between 6am and 6pm.

“Loading means loading and unloading and the bays should only be used where goods, by nature of their size or weight, could not be reasonably conveyed to or from the premises other than by means of a vehicle. Loading bays can be used by anyone for loading and unloading and may not be reserved for a particular business.

“Regular parking enforcement patrols do take place in Sandwich, including Strand Street, and relevant enforcement action is taken when a parking contravention is witnessed by a CEO.”