Frustrated business owners say new kerb markings have fixed nothing amid continuing dissatisfaction over a new road layout.

The restrictions in New Street, Sandwich, prohibit drivers from parking and popping into a store, and delivery drivers cannot stop to unload, sparking anger among shopkeepers.

It comes as last year the bus stand in New Street was extended and the road was narrowed, with the once straight pavement now curving out.

This means that if there is more than one bus, the town comes to a standstill as other vehicles cannot get past.

But last week double yellow lines were put along the adjacent side of the route, outside the shops, which means no stopping is allowed.

Although Dover District Council (DDC) bosses say this will “improve road safety and access and help reduce congestion”, several businesses along the stretch disagree.

Joe Quinn of T.R & C. Carpenter says of the project: “It seems to have caused a lot of headaches and not really fixed anything.

“It’s just made everything worse, especially with them putting the bus stop at the end of the road, crossing that road you take your life in your hands now because it’s right on a corner.

“I ride my bike and I have to come the full length out into the road to see past it and if something is coming at the time, it’s going to take me out.

“It’s ridiculous and it was fine the way it was before, traffic could flow more freely.”

The hardware shop owner says the loading bay is now also smaller, so his delivery van does not fit.

The 30-year-old adds: “My driver thinks he might get a ticket because of this.

“I also might have two or three deliveries that all turn up at the same time so they risk getting a ticket too if they stop.”

It will also be harder for customs to access the shop, Mr Quinn believes.

He says: “Because of our placement, we’ve always been a pull-up on the side, nip-in sort of shop but when people start getting tickets, that’s when it will cause a bit of uproar – parking in Sandwich is difficult enough as it is.”

Boyd Adzic runs Ossie’s Fish Bar in Sandwich and is disappointed by the alterations.

Since the smaller loading bay was introduced, lorry doors have smashed into the lights which overhang from his shop, damaging the fittings.

He says: “When they then put the loading bay in, we pointed out that it was too small.

“We’ve had our lights changed four times since the road has been done.”

He now fears the new parking restrictions will only make the situation worse for customers, and is concerned about the impact on people with mobility issues, as the dropped kerb has been taken away.

“I’m a bit disappointed with it because it doesn’t help us at all,” he adds.

“The disabled people have lost all disability access because the dropped kerb has been taken away and now they can’t park outside.

“Before you could always have cars parked all the way along the road and there would never be a blockage.”

During the roadworks, Mr Adzic says he missed out on about £4,000 in revenue as shut off the road one way and blocked off part of the pavement.

The chippy has since recovered by increasing their night time trade.

When asked by KentOnline why the double yellow lines were pait, a spokesman for Dover District Council said: “Following a range of recent works around Guildhall Square in Sandwich, double yellow kerb markings have been put in to improve road safety and access, and help reduce congestion. The new markings follow the completion of a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) for the area.

“The works at Sandwich Guildhall included highways reconfiguration work, improved seating, tree planting and lighting, as well as major resurfacing work. The redevelopment project followed consultation with the public and continued work with the local community and partners.”